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Category: Featured illustrators

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Can You See a Little Bear? - image and web link
Buy this book here - with free delivery!

This is a book that anyone (including me!) would happily take to bed to read and look at the pictures.

It will lead you into a land of dreams, far away, where bears live with crocodiles and giraffes spend time with guinea pigs.

The best picture for me is of the little bear in the bath with a large blue bath cap on his head in a tent!

A work of art? A book of sheer delight? The most beautiful illustrations from Jackie Morris and exquisite words from James Mayhew, travel with the characters on the page and follow the little bear to bed.

The creative duo of Jackie Morris and James Mayhew are with Otter-Barry Books, in the publication of this charming gift edition of Can You See a Little Bear.  Other editions of this book are always in demand and it will be perfect for children and parents.

Educationally it is a joy to have, as it develops interest and curiosity,and questions are bound to follow. A wonderful set of activities and thoughts from Jackie Morris  accompany the book, look out for the cinquain !

Watch the video from Jackie below, about making a deeper book for young children which would become a favourite and also give time for parents and children to have a conversation.

Jackie Morris is an author and illustrator, photographer and painter. She lives in a small house by the sea in St David’s, Wales. She has published many books; The Lost Words, Walking in Water, Tell Me a Dragon, The Snow Leopard and many others.

James Mayhew is an author, artist and storyteller, whose books reflect his passionate advocacy of the arts for young children. His books include…. He lives on the other side of the country to Jackie, in Bungay, Suffolk.

Otter-Barry Books are publishers who aim to make a difference to children’s lives through their books of quality, creativity and interest.

A book which we recommend for all ages.

Buy a copy from us, securely on-line, or visit your nearest bookshop!

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Joy - cover image and web link
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Fern decides that she can find the joy that has gone out of Nanna's life and bring it back for her. Off she sets with a net, a box and a bag, in fact all that she needs to return the joy to Nanna.

It seems easy to find joy but quite another thing to bring it back in a bag. Fern tries to catch the chuckles of a baby on a swing, the sparkles on the duck pond, all of which fill her with joy. But she can't get them into her bag!

Nanna listens as Fern tells her all the things she has seen. And then a smile breaks out across Nanna's face, she can feel the joy at last.

Beautifully told and stunningly illustrated this book will always be one to share and to read time and again.

Joy - buy this book, image and web link
...with free delivery

The author is Corrinne Averiss, and she has written many thoughtful and humorous  books for children, as well as working with TV series, such as children's BAFTA winning Share a Story competition.

Isabelle Follath, the illustrator lives in Switzerland, and Joy is her debut children's book. The pictures are beautiful, and colour washes and ink drawings are very moving.

Words and Pictures are the publishers, who have an exciting book list, making innovative and entertaining books for younger readers that open the door to their imagination.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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10 Reasons to Love a lion
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Lions used to live in many places in Africa. Asia and Europe. Now they only live in central and southern Africa and in the Gir Forest National Park in India. They are magnificent cats and this book gives 10 excellent reasons to love them.

  • They hang out together - unlike other cats
  •  They have magnificent manes - the males' manes can protect them from fierce bites and scratches.

Another 8 reasons follow in this book by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Hanako Clulow.

It's a great book to have in hard back and part of the 10 Reasons to Love series by Lincoln Children's Books in collaboration with the National History Museum in London. Look out for 10 Reasons to Love a Penguin too. Both books are published on 10th August 2018.

Buy this book - image and web link
...with free delivery

The book is an exploration of environmental issues with conservation angles, written by an expert environmentalist.

Catherine Barr studied ecology at Leeds Univesity and also worked at Greenpeace International, then at National HIstory Museum. She has written four other books in this series and also The Story of Life.

Hanako Clulow left Japan for Ireland studying visual arts and english and after time  studying child psychology Hanako pursued her passion for the arts and illustration.

Lincoln Children's Books are committed to quality in children's books and enabling access to information and a love of reading. The 10 Reasons to Love books are a great book to have for schools, libraries and at home. Recommend for ages 4- 7 years.

Sue Martin

 

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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The Night Dragon - cover image and web link
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On top of a very high mountain in a land far away, lived a dragon…

Maud, the dragon was very colourful and lived with four other dragons who were scary, ferocious and brave. Every night they flew in the sky and turned the sky black.

Maud was not that kind of dragon, in fact she was a non-flying, rainbow-coloured, friendly dragon. Her one friend was Mouse.

This is a beautiful story of courage, friendship, and overcoming your fears.

The Night Dragon, Maude and mouse - image and web link
Buy this book here...with free delivery

Maud and mouse conquer the flying in the sky together and the sky becomes full of colours of the rainbow just as the sun goes down.

When you next see a beautiful sunset, remember Maude! From the very first page you join this  dragon on the edge of her world.

Naomi Howarth is from Scotland and first worked in the film industry, going on recently to work with illustrations in children’s books, using lithographs and water colours. Naomi’s books tell timeless and meaningful tales that engage young readers to think about the inspiring wonder of the natural world. In 2014 Naomi won a prize on  the inaugural Picture Hooks mentoring programme and was mentored by Catherine Rayner.

The Night Dragon on edge of mountain

Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, are the publishers and The Night Dragon, to be published on 2nd August 2018, joins their list of high quality children’s books.

 

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Starry Skies - cover image and web link
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Starry Skies is a great introduction to space, astronomy and earth science.

There is a strong sense of darkness in the black pages with yellow and white dots for the constellations and writing, great for trying to spot the stars in our dark skies.

A double page holds a complete constellation and includes, Pegasus, Hercules and Leo. Every night, the sky is filled with stars that tell a thousand tales. Brave warriors, regal queens, fierce beasts.

The character on the pages are walking at night and stargazing making sense of the universe above us.

Samantha Chagollan is an award-winning author and editor of children’s books. She grew up in Southern California with a passion for telling and writing stories. After gaining a degree in literature she worked in publishing and is now a freelance author.

Nila Aye is a firm favourite of the London illustration scene and there is an influence of a retro design in her characters and style.

Walter Foster JR are the publishers and are part of the QuartoKids group.

Sue Martin

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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In this fifth book in the internationally best-selling and well-loved,Great Big Book  series, Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith celebrate friendship in a funny and honest way. It is a great way to start a conversation with children about what makes a good friend.

The presentation and layout of the book are instantly appealing, with questions and answers and ways that children often think about friendships. It goes further too, and has some great sentences on other sorts of friends, not just people, the bear on the bed or someone who asks you to a party. Maybe even..." A cat's best friend is a laundry basket." and "Being there when needed".

    Lots of opportunities for conversations, curiosity and reflection. It makes a great book for schools and also for home. The Great Big Book series is sold in over 21 languages across the globe and has already had some amazing reviews. Read Booktrust's interview with Mary Hoffman.

Mary Hoffman is an internationally acclaimed author of over 100 books for children, with famous titles such as Amazing Grace, which together with its sequel has sold over 1.5 million copies.

Ros Asquith is a world-famous illustrator and cartoonist, plus a writer and poet as well as being a Guardian cartoonist for 25 years. She is also currently poet in residence at UCLH. Her books for young people total over 90 titles and translated into over 21 languages!

Frances Lincoln Children's Books are part of The Quarto Group, delivering quality books across the world.

We thoroughly recommend The Great Big Book of Friends for children from age 5 upwards and there ar many times that adults too can dip in and find something helpful about being good friends.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Ocean is part of the great new series of Life on Earth, from Wide Eyed Editions Publishers, with 100 questions and 70 Lift-Flaps.

The board book is sturdy and appealing to all young children. The illustrations are brilliant and the intriguing flaps reveal comprehensive answers to the questions...

  • How do fish breathe?
  • Why is the ocean salty?
  • Why is a whale not a fish?

Embark on an epic journey under the sea looking for fish and other ocean creatures beneath the waves, learn what shells are for, find out which sea creatures are the most dangerous, and take a closer look at a coral reef. This fascinating fact-filled book is the perfect introduction to life under the sea.

 

HEATHER ALEXANDER was born in New York City, and now lives in New Jersey. She began her career editing children's books such as Goosebumps and Fear Street, before moving into writing. She has written over 40 books for children.

ANDRES LOZANO is an illustrator from Madrid, who currently lives in London. He lists his inspirations as nature, architecture, Franco-Belgian comics and film noir. His work is characterised by overlayed colours, textures and strong line work. He has worked with The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, and Anorak.

Recommended for children ages 5 - 8 years

Sue Martin

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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ABC Mindful Me - cover image and web purchase link
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Mindfulness starts at the very beginning. ABC Mindful Me helps to find peace and happiness using rhymes and wonderful illustrations.

Happiness is a great attribute to have and helps concentration, emotions and dealing with some of life's problems.

'Joy is all around you! Find it in the little things and feel the happiness it brings!'

There is also a section at the end of the book which explains mindfulness and awareness of our world, helping us all to be compassionate and to have a positive attitude. Try the emotion rocks and paint faces showing how you feel, or create a nature collage and use sticks and cones to paint in shapes and patterns.

     Christiane Engel is and award-winning author and illustrator, her two previous titles in this series are ABC Love and ABC Yoga, both of which are really successful.

QuartoKids, the publishers have included ABC MIndfulness in their new titles in March 2018 and we are sure it will be highly successful.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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The New Baby and Me
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A new baby is on the way! What will it be like? A book which is wonderfully illustrated with text which mirrors children's thoughts, about a new arrival into the family.

The author is Christine Kidney and it is illustrated by award-winning Hoda Haddadi. It celebrates the importance of individuality and imagination, especially when welcoming a new sibling.

Will the baby be an explorer and together with his brother will find new lands or maybe he will be an artist and together they will paint the world. But there is a surprise ahead!

A perfect book for a family waiting for their new baby, and a great book to read and share with siblings. Much to talk about and the illustrations give wonderful starting points to explore and plan.

Christine Kidney graduated from Cambridge University and also has her own editorial consultancy, this is a great start for her own books.

Hoda Haddadi is an Iranian illustrator and has won many awards including gold prize winner for Best Illustrator at 2017 Moonbeam Children's book contest.

Tiny Owl Children's Book Publisher are committed to producing beautiful original books and have many which are from Iranian authors and illustrators.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Search and Find, the Aphabet of Alphabets
Get your copy from The Dolphin here...

This is a myriad of alphabets! 1 book, 26 alphabets and 676 incredible things to find. Take and exhilarating  ride through 26 fully illustrated alphabets,each one with an A to Z of things to spot and search for.

A great book for observations, a great book for facts and knowledge seekers, and a great book for just spending time looking at thousands of amazing illustrations.

The book is written and created by Mike Jolley and Amanda Wood with illustrations from Allan Sanders. A great team in the production of  this alphabet extravaganza. One of my favourite pages is F for Forest, where we have jackdaws, logs and bears and also dragons and knights.

  It is another beautifully presented book from the Wide Eyed Editions, part of the Quarto group.

A great book for a present, or for schools and libraries and for sharing at home.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.