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Such a great book! Everyone who has ever had a cat, knows they are the best characters ever.

‘I love my cat. That shiny black fur. That tiny white ring, that goes right round the tip of her tail, I think it means she might be magic!’

Her name is Aditi or Adie, Adie Adster, she can climb up walls, open the door and do all sorts of magic things. She is perfect , well nearly. One day whilst helping her best friend the little girl, to eat her toast, she just digs her claws in  tooooo hard! And the little girl shouts.

Adie,Adie, Adster goes outside. But she doesn’t come back that day or that night or for a whole week. Everyone is very worried. Until one day, hiding behind the pots in the garden she reappears as if nothing has happened.

A beautiful story and a beautiful book, perfect for those of us with a ‘cat of character' at home.

Simon Mole, the author, has some great video clips and amazing online writing workshops. Definitely a good opportunity for teachers!

Sam Usher, the illustrator has created  fantastic images of the family, the cat  and brings the story to life with illustrations which flow with the story.

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, part of the Quarto Group have an exciting portfolio of children’s books and I Love my Cat is a great addition.

Published on July 5th, this book is one to buy for the summer hols.

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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Meet Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon.

Another brilliant book in the Little People, Big Dreams series from Frances Lincoln Children's Books, part of the Quarto Group. 

As a child Neil just knew that he wanted to be a pilot and fly. He grew up as the oldest son of the Armstrong family from Ohio, USA. After studying aeronautical engineering and time spent in the navy, he became a pilot. From there, he was selected to take a trip to where no human had gone before – the moon! Along with his team, Buzz and Mike, he was the captain of the Apollo 11. And Neil took a giant step for humankind as the first person to ever step onto the surface of the moon.

This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the legendary astronaut.

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is the author with an amazing skill of telling the story in simple sentences which are fascinating to read. I am confidant that this also enables the reader to remember the facts more clearly too.

Christophe Jacques is the illustrator and the images on each page are well designed and engaging, they just fit the words perfectly. Even if you are not that good at reading you would be able to work out the message on the page, that's a real bonus!

Published on August 2nd 2022, this book will find its way into many classrooms by September. A wonderful series to have for the classroom, in the library for whole school talks on amazing people and for individuals who just want to read something really interesting. What else could hold the imagination like a trip to the moon!

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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Africa is a treasure chest, too." Tante James says. ' Full of fruit and spice and precious wood like ebony. For thousands of years, trades sailed across the Red Sea to buy frankincense resin to make perfume.'

An incredibly insightful book about the importance of culture and a sense of belonging. A visit to the Trinidad for Paloma and her family starts conversations about how people from Africa first came to the Caribbean. They brought with them a few belongings like the combs that they still use.

At first Paloma doesn't feel she belongs, how can it be her family when they can't even understand what she is saying? But Tante Janet reassures her that the African family goes back thousands of years, to beyond a time when they were fighting the Romans!

Through the beautiful illustrations and engaging text on each page, this book draws you in to this amazing story of people, families and relationships through time.

Rachel Williams, co-publisher and managing director, acquired world rights from Caroline Sheldon at the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. The picture book will be published in August. 

 Williams said: “Unflinching yet uplifting, Patrice’s story takes us through the dark days of colonisation and enslavement, to the emergence of a thriving, contemporary Africa of many faces, places and triumphs. A book every family should have to understand how the human story starts in Africa.”   As quoted in  The Bookseller

Patrice Lawrence, the author grew up in a house of books and knew how important they are to understanding so much.' Words build worlds. Words create people,' says Patrice. Booktrust article 2019 The Book That Made Me: Patrice Lawrence

Jeanetta Gonzales, the illustrator, has captured the feel and message of this story perfectly. She has a huge wealth of illustrations and hugely talented.

Magic Cat Publishers are a new and vibrant publishers, full of exciting titles now and even more in the future. Download a catalogue or check out their website.

Highly recommend this stunning book. I keep finding new and amazing quotes in each page!

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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Ever wondered what to do with your youngsters when you are at a restaurant? This book has all the answers. It is packed with activities and ideas, puzzles, quizzes and drawing tasks. Creative and inspiring and will fill the time when they have finished their meal and you are still enjoying yours!

Can you untangle the pile of spaghetti on he page or take part in a cookery competition, maybe design your own menu or match the country flag with the different food on the pictures.  In fact, this book would last for several dinners and is much more fun that drawing on the paper mats with the wax crayons that sometimes are provided.

The fourth title in this fun filled activity book series, At the Restaurant is overflowing with puzzles, quizzes and drawing activities, sure to keep kids occupied when out and about.
All you need to complete the activities are some colouring pencils and a big appetite!

Alice Hobbs is the author and has some great ideas in this fourth book of the series. Putri Febriana is the illustrator and has created each page a different format of beautiful illustration.

Quarto Kids are the publishers and At the Restaurant Activity Book is a wonderful edition to their exciting and creative portfolio of books for children.

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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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.