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Invisible sights, silent sounds, odourless smells, and mysterious forces all at work in our world but yet unseen and unheard.  Nature that is invisible to us but so important to make our world work.

Big Bangs and Silent Waves, Day Glow and Shiny Colours, Bouncing Sounds and Squeaky Whistles with Ultrasound, Weird Whiffs and Silent Smells, the Secret Scents in our lives, these are just some of the fascinating pages in this unique book.

Children will be amazed by the facts they discover; they will learn how these secret powers are at work which support everyone in their daily lives. It is always fascinating to discover unseen things at work and children are so observant in their perception and understanding. This book will enable them to uncover their own detective nature work and feel really empowered to find out even more.

There is a wonderful glossary with definitions and diagrams to show just how invisible nature works for us all in this universe.

Catherine Barr is  an award wining author of non-fiction children’s books and her books include Water, Fourteen Wolves and and Let's Save the Amazon. Her website is not only beautiful but is packed with information. Her author visits for schools are full of information, adventure and inspiration .

Anne Wilson has produced the most beautiful illustrations with huge visual impact.

Otter Barry Books are the publishers and Invisible Nature is part of their exceptional portfolio of non fiction books for children in primary schools.

Highly recommend this book to all the schools we work with and for parents at home too.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

 

 

 

 


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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'When Papa lifts me onto his shoulders I'm as high as a cloud and can see the whole world'. A wonderful heart warming celebration of fathers everywhere from a multi award-winning writer and illustrator, Niki Daly.

A beautifully written book with outstanding illustrations as the young boy is taken to school by mother and grandparents and why he likes their different ways.

'But the days I love best are when Papa takes me to school. Papa is strong and tall... I want to stay on Papa's shoulders for ever and ever.

On My Papa's Shoulders is a journey through the neighbourhood, a journey through family and a journey into a child's perspective of what makes each one of them special, but even more so the time when Papa takes him to school.

One little boy in South Africa has just started school. When Mama takes him, they hurry along – but there’s always time for a kiss at the school gate. When Gogo takes him they go slow and feed the hungry cat on the way. When it’s Tata’s turn they walk through the park and splash in puddles. But the best days of all are when Papa takes him to school and lifts him high on his shoulders.
A heart-warming celebration of family and fathers.

Written and illustrated award winning author Niki Daly, who lives with his wife, author and illustrator Jude Daly, in South Africa.

Published by Otter-Barry Books,  a small independent publisher based in Herefordshire with a focus on culturally diverse and inclusive illustrated books, as well as a strong collection of poetry titles

I am sure this book will be read and reread many times and will be a firm favourite for all young children on their journeys to school across the world.

A great book for home, nursery and library.

Sue Martin     Children's Literacy Specialist,  Books Go Walkabout

 


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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A story celebrating mindfulness and quiet moments in a noisy world

The Starlings are squabbling
the Crows are making a terrible din - 
it's SO NOISY the Squirrel babies just CAN'T sleep.
Squirrel knows there's only one thing to do. She must ask Owl for help...

And so begins a magical woodland journey with Owl's amazing Silence Catcher. Owl and Squirrel discover the hush inside a hollow tree...then the stillness when an acorn drops...and last of all, the silence between the lightning's flash and the thunder's roll. They capture pockets of peace, moments of stillness, bubbles of silence...and Owl puts them all together for Squirrel.

Now, when Squirrel goes back home to her babies, could there be A Little Bit of Hush?

This beautiful picture book encourages mindfulness, awareness of nature and ways to find peace and stillness in our noisy world.

Paul Stewart is the author. In the video he describes the different sorts of silence you can have. Paul is a highly regarded author of books for young readers and is the co-creator along with Chris Riddell of the best-selling Edge Chronicles. Before living in Brighton Paul was a traveller, living in Germany and Sri Lanka, and this brings a huge dimension to his work .

Jane Porter is an exciting new illustrator and also works with the V&A Museum in London and Kensington Palace. In A Little Bit of Hush, Jane has used different materials to create a collage for each page.

Otter-Barry Books are the publishers and have a unique and exciting new collection in 2022 of high quality picture books.

A beautiful book and one to really enjoy exploring with a young reader by your side.

Sue Martin      Children's Literacy Specialist      Books Go Walkabout


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 naming of things...in a book!

A beautiful, creative story about naming things around you, which young children love to do very naturally. In The Name Game, when there’s no one to play with this is just the chance to speak with the magpie.

‘Who are you?’ I call out. ‘Please tell me your name!’

‘I’m a magpie, darlin.’ A jack the lad, a cheeky chappie, a jewel thief if I’m honest. But a heart of gold, I promise you.’

‘Why don’t you give me a name?’

And so magpie becomes ‘Diamond Dodger.’

Beautifully illustrated, The Name Game is a book which will delight young children and adults too. Each page is a joy to read and to look through as the little girl meets a tree, a butterfly and a cat, all in need of amazing new names.

Image: Elizabeth Laird

Elizabeth Laird is a multi-award-winning author of many successful picture books, young fiction and YA novels, including Grobbblechops, also published by Tiny Owl. She is the author of many  thought-provoking titles, including A House Without Walls, which is about a family driven out of their home in Syria. It could well be linked to families in the Ukraine today. There are also a wealth of  information and materials available to teachers.

Image: Olivia Holden

Olivia Holden, the illustrator has a great talent and has illustrated many books and book covers including Ernest Shackleton Little People, Big Dreams and Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield. She was a shortlisted finalist in the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition 2022.

Tiny Owl are an independent children’s book publisher and have a wonderful portfolio of beautiful, diverse and intriguing titles, especially in their picture books. The Name Game is published in 7th June 2022

A gem of a book and one which I will be sharing on the sofa!

Sue Martin        Children's Literacy Specialist


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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An exciting new book which turns things around. Human Town looks at the world from the animal or elephant’s perspective and sees just what we have done with the world.

‘Can we go to Human Town? Please, Mum!’ Junior cried.

‘I suppose so, ‘said Mum. ‘But I think you might find it boring. There aren’t many humans left, you see.’

As we follow Junior and his elephant family into Human Town, it becomes clear that humans have caused major issues which have led to them becoming extinct! A creative thought that is not as funny as it first seems!

Hidden meanings and daring truths are at the core of Human Town. A book which is beautifully illustrated with engaging text. As you read it, you begin to explore the whole concept of global pollution.

Alan Durant has written over 100 books for children, from picture books to young adult thrillers. He is  an inspirational speaker at schools and festivals in the UK,

Anna Doherty, is the illustrator and lives in Scotland, where she admits she has too many pencils and loves underwater swimming without breathing, well as far as she can.

Tiny Owl Publishing have another wonderful edition in Human Town to add to their exciting and diverse picture book collections.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

 


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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Bea had an idea, in fact a BIG idea! She wanted to play a Big Musical Thing, in fact she wanted to create her own music and why not indeed!

In Caroline Magerl’s latest picture book Piano Fingers, we are invited to celebrate the point at which all endeavours begin. This is the story of Bea who wants to play, and she takes a deep dive into the fantastical world of Maestro Gus; a cat resplendent in a plush tail coat, who lives outside the old piano and plays the agent provocateur in this musical adventure.

‘Watching my own daughter learn a musical instrument was the inspiration for Piano Fingers’ says Caroline Magerl. ‘This book is about a musical journey, but also a love letter to all kinds of wishful plinking.’

Caroline Magerl  is the author and illustrator. She was born near Frankfurt in Germany and went to Australia when she was two. She lived on the yacht her family built until she was fourteen. In 2001 Caroline won the Children's Book Council of Australia Crichton Award for new talent in children's book illustration for her picture book Grandma's Shoes. Since then she has been awarded a May Gibbs Fellowship and received an ASA children's picture book grant to work on her book Hasel and Rose.

Walker Books are the publishers of this beautiful, hardback picture book published on April 7th 2022. It is part of their extensive and excellent picture books which are such a joy. They are transformational for young children and a sharing adult, as they explore the exquisite picture, full of character and determination.

I loved reading through this book and have found so many of the pages just a delight to spend time exploring the images.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

 


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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Picture Books with style, meaning and love. New books from Otter-Barry Books are why I love picture books for young children. Through wonderful illustrations and engaging text they express deep meanings.

The Fussy Flamingo

By Jonnie Wild and Illustrated by Brita Granström

A fourth exciting adventure featuring the Five Flamingos.

"I don't like flingo weed," says Baby. "I'm going to find a family that eats something delicious."

Baby Flamingo is a very fussy eater! He visits the monkeys, the bats, the giraffes and the anteater, but he doesn't like ANY of their food. So he goes to the river to see what Crocodile likes to eat!

Each page is full of spectacularly coloured illustrations and make wonderful reading.

 

 

 

 

As this book is about conservation and Reforest Africa,  the author's royalties will be donated in support of wildlife habitat conservation projects in Africa.

And...

I Love You ,Blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Love You, Blue

By Barroux

A touching love story with an important message about ocean pollution through plastics.

When Jonas the lighthouse-keeper is rescued from the stormy sea by a whale, they become friends. But soon Blue the whale is in great danger too, and now he needs help from Jonas...

This touching love story from world-renowned picture book creator, Barroux, beautifully highlights the urgency of saving our whales and our oceans.

Such a moving book, says so much in a few words, but the illustrations are so expressive. We all need to look after our seas and oceans.

Living close to the sea, I enjoy walks along the shore, seeing the shells and stones brought onto the sand banks, but saddened by the pieces of plastic.

Watch this amazing video from Barroux. Jonas and the whale respecting each other.

I love both of these books and highly recommend for home, nurseries and schools.

Sue Martin  Children's Literacy Specialist

 


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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A beautiful book packed with pastel illustrations...

Once the ocean was full of friends, but lately, things have been changing...

 A beautiful book packed with pastel coloured illustrations amidst the text. This is more than just the story of Luna the jellyfish. She discovers that her friends are finding life harder in the ocean.  This is an ocean, once home to many creatures on the coral reef, but they have vanished, an ocean which is full of odd shapes and floating objects, like the plastic flip flops and sweet wrappings,  gradually dropping to the ocean floor.

A bloom of jelly fish comes along to help, and together they 'gang up'  on things  humans have put in place, like blocking up the vents by the power station. They knew the children on the beach would be friends and a vast number of jelly fish appear on the water's surface.

A stunningly beautiful book written and illustrated by Julia Seal, UK author and illustrator. Julia has written and illustrated books which have already been shortlisted for awards .

Sunbird books are the publishers, part of Phoenix International Publications and they specialise in innovative and original books for children, representing strong, lively, and diverse voices , reflecting children’s realities and feeding imaginations, while nurturing up-and-coming writers and illustrators from around the world.

Definitely one of my favourites this month!

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist


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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...a perfect book to help toddlers

ABC Bedtime by Erica Harrison is a perfect book to help  babies and toddlers gently help relax their bodies and minds.

It’s a delightful way of listening to and possibly learning about letters and the sounds they make. It supports the way into learning the alphabet by rote as children grow into early childhood and start to recognise their letters.

The illustrations are clear and bold in primary colours and engage with children’s perceptions of themselves and their own worlds.

A beautiful book and just right for families with young children, both in the USA and the UK.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist


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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A beautifully illustrated picture book...

My Own Way is a simple and inclusive introduction to the freedom in gender expression. A beautifully illustrated picture book which expresses the ways in which children can look beyond stereotypes and find the way they want to be. NO longer defined by the boy/girl scenario.

‘Your gender is not defined by what you wear, what you look like or what you do. It’s defined by how you feel inside.

‘ Boy or Girl doesn’t cover everyone. You might be both. You might be none!’

Some great images and concepts which will help children and adults to understand this wonderful change in stereo types and freedoms.

The authors are Joana Estrela and Jay Hulme , published by Wide Eyed Editions, part of the Quarto Knows group.

I am deeply impressed by this book which has already enabled me to have conversations and see a positive future  for us all. a great book to have in school and 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.