Skip to content

Happy New Year!

2017 is going to be a great year for children's books and for Dolphin Booksellers. Thank you for all the comments about the blog which reaches places across the world; schools, children, teachers, parents....  and people who just like good children's books.

Our blogs start this year with titles  published in the last year and are simply amazing.

Illuminature by Rachel Williams and Carnovosky
View, review or purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk here...

Our first title is Illuminature!

You may already  know that there are hidden secrets in different places. When you walk into a garden, you don't always see the spider in the hedgerow or the worm just inder the surface of the ground.

Illuminature is a remarkable book,  it explores the hidden secrets of the world's most diverse environments. A three colour lens illuminates each page in a kaleidoscope of colour.

On each double page spread there are flora and fauna that co exist in each habitat. Use the species guide to identify and find out more.

As you travel through a jungle, a reef, a mountain, grasslands, woods and rivers you'll uncover a world that never sleeps - with the graphics of Carnovsky and Williams, the innovative Milan based design duo.

Rachel Williams is the award winning author of Atlas of Animal Adventures and she lives and works in London. Her titles can also be found through Good Reads.

Milan based duo, Carnovsky, was started by Silvia Quintanilla and Fransesco Rugi in 2007. They are published around the world in magazines and famous for their wallpaper designs.

Wide Eyed Editions is an imprint of Quarto Publishing and publishes beautiful and informative books.

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers


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.


Zeki can SwimSwimming is so important and babies make the best swimmers. So Zeki Can Swim is a delightful book to read, to encourage and share with a young child all about swimming, from the water to adding the lotions!

Zeki Loves the water and bathtime is a taster for tomorrow’s adventure. He and Dad join their friends for swimming. First they learn to swim and hen the fun begins and off they go!

The book and series has great reviews, including the first book 'Zeki Loves Baby Club' being Book of the Year in 2014 with Books for Keeps.

The publisher, Alanna Books is a tiny independent publisher, celebrating its 10th birthday and being most well-known for its Lulu series. It publishes inclusive books with inclusive pictures!

The author, Anna McQuinn has written over 20 books, including the Lulu series, which features Zeki’s older sister.

The illustrator Ruth Hearson works as a freelance illustrator and worked with Little Tiger, OUP and Heinemann. Since returning to illustrating she has been involved in many community arts projects.

Sue Martin           Dolphin Booksellers

 

 

 


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.


there's a tiger in the garden cover image
Review or purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk here...

When Grandma says she has seen a tiger in the garden, Nora doesn't believe her. She's too old to play Grandma's games. Everyone knows that tigers live in jungles not gardens?

So even when Nora sees butterflies with wings as big as her arm, and plants that try and eat her toy giraffe, and a polar bear that likes fishing, she knows there's absolutely, DEFINITELY no way there could be a tiger in the garden... Could there?

Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books this is the debut novel from Lizzie  Stewart, an illustrator and author of great talent. The story and journey line stretch deep into the imagination and will be a wonderful story to read together or alone.

Lizzie has been a freelance illustrator since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 2009. In 2013 she completed an MA in Communication Design at Central St. Martin. She was selected as one of the It's Nice That Graduates 2009 and was nominated for a British Comic Book Award in 2013.

Her inspiration comes from folk culture, flora and fauna and life in far flung cities and a compulsive need to tell stories. Currently Lizzie lives in London and teaches on behalf of The National Portrait Gallery.

Sue Martin

dolphin-rt


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.


It Starts with a seed cover image
Review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk here...

The story of a seed as it journeys from the branches of a tree into the ground and becomes first a young sapling and then a tree.

It is written by Laura Knowles and illustrated by Jennie Webber.

Words and Pictures, part of the Quarto group, have produced a simply beautiful book in a lyrical form about a factual story.

Excellently presented , It Starts with a Seed, has gold blocking on the front cover, textured paper and etching techniques handmade by Jennie throughout the book.

It introduces children to how the eco-system works, it teaches children about the life cycle of a tree, it has stunning artwork and words that easily engage the reader.

Laura writes books about animals and nature and lives in London.

Jennie is a visual artist, printmaker and animal lover with an eye to detail, especially on plants and with animals. Lots of chances for observation and concepts of conservation.

Ilustrator Jennie Webber explains her creative and artistic technique in this short film. Having a copy of this book is a great way to keep her artwork with you!

image-2

A beautiful book and a fascinating book to read.

Sue Martin

dolphinlogo2012imageright3.jpg


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.

 


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.


A Walk on the Wild Side by Louis Thomas
Review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk here...

Join the adventure to see animals around the world.  A brilliant new book, published in September 2016 from Frances Lincoln Children's Books.

This is an epic, action packed journey across some of the world's most incredible habitats and brings a colourful cast of 65 animal friends, all captured in fine detail by wildlife lover Louis Thomas.

The book is set  out in individual pages for each animal and illustrations by Louis which capture the character as well as the detail of the animal. Each page has a description and is written from a young boy adventurer who journeys across the planet.

Did you know, for instance, that the green iguana is like humans? It likes to be around others of its own kind and it's friendly. A striking difference is that it searches for food in the trees and drinks water from raindrops on flowers and leaves!

As you move from farm to ocean and from jungle to grassland, you'll discover how every creature on earth has one thing in common... they are unique.

Throughly recommended for ages 7 and above at home and in school.

Buy the book, or review it, here.

Sue Martin          Dolphin Book Blog

dolphinlogo2014imageright


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.


awardpresentation2016sla
Author Kim Slater presents Amy McKay with her Librarian of the Year 2016 award...

'The SLA School Librarian of the Year Award is the School Library Association’s prestigious honour to recognize the excellent work that is carried out in school libraries every day, highlighting the best practice of those whose work is outstanding.

This year Amy McKay at Corby Business Academy (www.corbybusinessacademy.org) has been awarded the honour of the School Librarian of the Year 2016'.

Our colleagues from Books go Walkabout were delighted to attend the award ceremony at The Judges Court, St. Martins Lane, London on the 3rd October, 2016.

Award winning author Kim Slater presented Amy with her prize and you can see range of library activities, reader support and wider engagement with the library and literacy sector that Amy has achieved in her career so far here. All of which made her a very deserving winner in 2016.

You can read more about Amy's work at the Corby Business Academy on their web pages here.

Dolphinbooksellers were united '...well done and congratulations Amy!'

slalogobuttonNomination forms for School Librarian of the Year 2017 will be available from the SLA website, at http://www.sla.org.uk/nominations.php

Previous Winners of the SLA School Librarian of the Year Award
2015: Annie Brady – St Paul's CBS Secondary School, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
2014: Liz Millett – Weatherfield Academy, Dunstable
2013: Hilary Cantwell – St Paul’s Community College, Waterford, Republic of Ireland
2013: John Iona – Oasis Academy, Enfield, Middlesex
2012: Adam Lancaster – Monk’s Walk School, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
2011: Carol Webb – Forest Hill School, London
2010: Duncan Wright – Stewart’s Melville College, Edinburgh
2010: Kevin Sheehan – Offerton School, Stockport
2009: Lucy Bakewell – Hill West Primary School, Sutton Coldfield
2008: Nikki Heath – Werneth School, Stockport
2007: Ingrid Hopson – George Abbot School, Guildford
2006: Anne-Marie Tarter – Ripon Grammar School, North Yorkshire
2005: Anne Robinson – Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College, Bedworth

The SLA School Librarian of the Year 2016 is sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Books (www.panmacmillan.com) and Softlink (www.softlink.co.uk).

dolphinlogo2014imageright


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.


Little People Big Dreams Ameila Earhart
Review or buy this book from Amazon.co.uk

Little People, BIG DREAMS- Amelia Earhart is written by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Maridiamantes and published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a series about famous people’s biographies made simple for younger readers.

Amelia Earhart had always wanted to stretch her wings and fly like a bird. As she grew up she realised that she could do anything she wanted so she believed in herself and learnt how to fly.

She set records and inspired many different people to believe in them self.

This book has amazing illustrations and photos of Amelia at the back of the book. Any ages would love this book because the younger readers would enjoy looking at the pictures and the older readers enjoy the inspiring story.

Guest reviewer: Emily Williams aged 12

dolphinlogo2014imageright


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.


Nature Art
Review or buy this book from Amazon.co.uk here...

This is a box as well as a book! It's packed with really interesting stuff to go outside and explore nature. It is a one stop guide to finding, observing, collecting and exhibiting your discoveries from flowers and blossoms to pebbles and plants.

The activity pack is very well illustrated and has the real feel of a pack designed for children between ages of around 6- 10 years. There are some very clear drawings and notes about all that you would need,from using your pockets, to taking envelopes and collecting bags for all the specimens collected.

I can imagine eager children setting off for the beach or the woods with such a pack and having great fun.There is a wonderful section on Journey Sticks, which is for every child that always picks up a stick on a walk and takes it some of the way along the path...

Jenny Bowers has a great portfolio of work in illustration and always starts with a pencil, a paint brush and a tube of black paint. Frances Lincoln Children's Publishers have made a brilliant book and box on the Little Collectors Nature Art.

As we approach the Summer Holidays this is one book we recommend to buy for all those trips which need the answer to the question, What Can I Do Now?

Sue Martin

Twitter @booksgowalk BGW logoJSDolphin rt


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.


Immi
View, review or purchase this great book from Amazon.co.uk here...

A classic picture book, Immi is about friendship across cultures, reissued by popular demand and an Otter-Barry launch title for Spring 2016.

It is written and illustrated by Karin Littlewood in a beautiful style of painting which create a real atmosphere on the pages. Karin has illustrated over 40 childrens books and her work has been nominated three times for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Immi lives in a land of ice and snow and one day when she is fishing she finds a wooden bird at the end of her fishing line. Every day after that, she discovers something new, until her igloo is the brightest in the land.

But where are these mysterious gifts coming from and who is sending them? One day she drops her small white bear pendant into the hole in the ice. Where does it go? It finds a home in a distant land.

'This is a book that will be with you forever, we recommend it for all ages of children and adults'.

Sue Martin               Dolphin BookSellers and Books Go Walkabout

dolphinlogo2014imageright


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.


Mr Badger
View, review or purchase from Amazon.co.uk here...

Mr Badger is always on hand to cope with many surprises at the Boubles Grand Hotel.

My favourite story is Mr Badger and the Missing Ape, Algernon who is usually kept stuffed in a glass case in the lobby. But Lady Celia's granddaughter is not happy with this gorilla and wants it sent away.

As she usually gets just whatever she wants the alarming disappearance one morning gives Mr Badger quite a task, but solve it, he does.

There are four stories in the one book, which is full of brilliant sketches and the characters really come to life.

Mr Badger is written by Leigh Hobbs, who has an amazing talent for writing and tfor illustrating too. He has a great website for a whole range of his books.

This year he has been appointed as the Australian Children's Laureate and there are whole host of great activities for children all over the world as well as Australia.

Mr Badger is published by Allen and Unwin, Australia but can be purchased on-line in the UK, from Amazon.co.uk, here.

A great book and we recommend for children 7+, especially for those who still get a lot from the images through each chapter.

Sue Martin Books Go Walkabout and Dolphin Book Blog


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.