Skip to content

Published on

Play hide and seek in the city with a boy, his animal friends and a dinosaur that’s surprisingly hard to spot. The brilliantly interactive follow-up to international bestselling picture book, Have You Seen Elephant?  

Best friends boy, dog and elephant are VERY good at hide-and-seek. There’s a missing dinosaur in the city—who better to spot this elusive giant? They search the skate park, the museum, the subway…

No one in the city can spot the dinosaur, not even this crack hide-and-seek team. But delighted readers will be pointing “There it is!” from the first page.

This absurd, laugh-out-loud picture book for preschoolers is richly illustrated with David Barrow’s trademark beautiful use of light and colour and dramatic cityscapes—a guaranteed hit with dinosaur-loving toddlers. 

David Barrow is a recent graduate of the Cambridge School of Art where he completed a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration and received the top prize, the Sebastian Walker award for most promising children’s illustrator.

Gecko Press  have an amazing portfolio of great books and are worth adding to your list of recommended publishers.  Stories children and parents will want to read hundreds of times, for ages 0 to 12 (sometimes infinity).

Have You Seen Dinosaurs? is a fun book with meaning!! Discover that the city is actually packed with dinosaurs, you just need to know how to see them!

A great book for the summer and a definite favourite to have and to share.

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.


Published on

When the Green Team come to Unity Street School to talk about climate change, the children have a great idea. They will make a wild area at their school!

With the help of Mr Moss, the caretaker, and the Green Team, the children clear the ground, sow wildflower-meadow seeds, and plant beans and hedge saplings. Then they wait… until… later that summer… something wonderful happens at Unity Street School!

We could all do with a Green Team full of inspiration and a way froward for the planet with young people at the helm. This delightful and inspiring story shows conservation and rewilding in action, as a group of children show the way to help our planet.

Full of ideas for conservation and would be a great project book for the summer holidays.

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.


Published on

 

Step inside an enchanting woodland inhabited by delightful fairies with Fairy Treehouse, this magical doll's house in a book, complete with a handy guidebook to the woodlands and the fairy treehouse, ending with an easy-to-assemble, pop-up play scene that brings the story to life for hours of imaginative fun. 

This gorgeous book is a fairy wonderland, perfect for any child who loves doll's houses, fairy gardens and magical play adventures.

Fairy Treehouse starts off with a captivating 32-page picture book that tells the reader all about fairies of every kind – where they live, how to spot them in the wild, their secret magic spells and their incredible homes tucked away in nature's hidden corners. Each beautifully illustrated page explores a different enchanting aspect of woodland fairy life.

The final pages fold out and pop up into a stunning, three-dimensional fairy treehouse play scene that's sure to spark young imaginations and transport children into a world of wonder. The magical fairy treehouse features five separate rooms spread across three floors, each bursting with delightful details.

Six charming press-out fairy characters add to the excitement, bringing a cast of magical friends to life for endless storytelling and play adventures.

With a fold-away pop-up play scene and easy-to-store characters that pack away neatly for use again and again, plus timeless, folklore-inspired illustrations that capture the magic of fairy tales, Fairy Treehouse is a treasured keepsake your child will love for years to come. 

A wonderful book to read and to have fun with, educational too.

Sue Martin Children's Literary 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.


Published on

Cub swings angrily from the branch of a tree... until he calms himself down and welcomes his friends on an imaginary journey. In fact he was, ' so full of feelings that he had no space left inside for anything or anyone else.'

However much his friends tried to help Cub was having none of it and he just carried on not wanting to talk with them or share why he was grumpy. But after quite a lot of swinging on a branch things started to get better and his imagination took him and his friends into a stormy sea,  where Cub saved the day!

A beautifully written and illustrated book by Sally Anne Garland, an absolute joy to have nearby to read at times when things don't always work out the way they should.

Lovingly published by Sunbird Books, an imprint of Phoenix International Publications and will be a joy to have at home, at school or nursery. Definitely a book that will be read and shared time and time again.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

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.


Published on

 

Discover the inspiring story of Yves Saint Laurent, the ground-breaking designer who changed fashion forever. 

Growing up in the Algerian city of Oran, little Yves loved exploring his mother’s wardrobe and designing dresses for paper dolls. But life outside his family wasn’t always happy - at school, he was teased for having different hobbies and sometimes, he even pretended to be ill to avoid lessons. Still, Yves didn’t let the mean voices hold him back. He continued to carve his creative path and spent hours sewing tiny outfits from scraps of fabric, dreaming of a future in fashion.

At eighteen, his hard work paid off when he was invited to join a top fashion school in Paris, and after even more hard work, Yves was invited to join the famous fashion house Dior, where he became their lead designer! Later, with the support of his lifelong partner Pierre, Yves started his own fashion house. His bold and stylish designs - like tuxedo suits and pea coats - revolutionised women’s clothing and continue to influence fashion today.

Yves’s story shows the power of staying true to your dreams - even when it’s challenging.  Inspiring and beautifully told, Little People, BIG DREAMS: Yves Saint Laurent teaches children about courage, creativity, and self-expression.

From Frances Lincoln's ( imprint of Quarto) bestselling series Little People, BIG DREAMS, this book features quirky illustrations, extra facts, a timeline of Yves’s life with historical photos and a detailed profile of his inspiring journey. It’s the perfect gift for young creatives and fashion-lovers.

An extremely popular series written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and this book illustrated by Klas Fahlen, it provides a fascinating insight into Yves Saint Laurent. 

A great addition to the series and so interesting to read.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

 


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.


Published on

A very special book to help anyone experiencing loss and grief. A beautiful companion title to the critically acclaimed The Hare-Shaped Hole, The Bear-Shaped Hole is a profound, heart-warming story that helps children understand and prepare for loss. 

Gerda and Orlo are best bear friends. When Gerda was there, Orlo always had time for a game or a story, a joke or a rhyme. He was never too busy to listen, to talk, to help, to share, or to go for a walk.

But slowly, something starts to change. Orlo reveals he is ill, and as he softly explains to Gerda, he is not going to get better. Gerda is overwhelmed by emotions she cannot quite explain, but Orlo gently helps her prepare, so they can spend their time together making memories that will last a lifetime. When the time comes, Gerda can fill the Bear-Shaped hole in her life with the special moments she shared with Orlo.


This brand new picture book is the latest powerful and moving tale from John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty, the award-winning creators of The Hare-Shaped Hole. This sensitively written and beautifully illustrated story explores the process of preparing for loss as well as the experience of loss itself.  Publishers are Frances Lincoln, part of the Quarto groups and so well known for their thoughtful and amazing books.

The Bear-Shaped Hole is a gentle, heartfelt tale that helps children navigate and understand the complex emotions associated with loss. Perfect for parents looking for a way to address sensitive topics, it covers a range of themes to support meaningful conversations.

This book is staying close to me as I also feel the sadness of loss and love

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.


Published on

 

Discover the joy and meaning of Pride, a very special celebration for LGBTQIA+ people and allies all around the world.

It's Pride Month and Brian is preparing for his local Pride parade with his family and friends. Luckily for you, they're inviting you along to learn more!
Embark on an inspiring month of learning and loving with Celebrations & Festivals: Pride, a beautifully illustrated, narrative non-fiction picture book designed for children. This engaging and informative book takes young readers on a colourful journey through the history and significance of Pride, told with a gentle, age-appropriate voice.

Join Brian and his friends at school, where their teacher Ms Macleod tells them how Pride Month started with the Stonewall Uprising and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The children do lots of fun activities together with their parents; Charlie and David go to a Pride trail at the museum, Nicola makes bracelets at a Pride crafting day, and they all enjoy drag story hour at the local library.

Whilst helping to make a Pride float for an LGBTQ+ charity, it dawns on Brian that everyone seems to know what they're going to wear for the Pride parade, except for him! What is he going to wear? Can his dads help him?

  •  Discover heroes and milestones that have shaped LGBTQ+ history
  •  Create your own pride flags and learn the meaning behind the designs!
  •  Bake some yummy rainbow cookies for your own Pride event
  •  With 16 pages of extra non-fiction content, including quizzes and activities that bring the learning experience to life, encouraging young minds to engage, create, and understand the importance of pride and acceptance

Perfect for families, educators, and young readers, this book is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the power of love and community.
Discover more with other titles in this delightful Celebrations & Festivals series!

Eric Huang is a podcaster, writer, start-up mentor and university lecturer. He reads a lot, loves museums, nature, and art history. He worked as an editor and book publisher for 20 years with roles at Disney Publishing, Penguin Australia, Penguin UK, and LEGO Books – then joined digital agency Made in Me and became a children’s media consultant, and now a children's author.
Amy Phelps is an American illustrator from the Central Coast of California. They grew up visiting the local library every weekend, and always adored picture books and other children’s media. They frequently pull inspiration from vintage art and fairy tales, and are drawn to stories with LGBTQIA+.
Quarto are publishers of brilliant children's books in today's world.
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.


Published on

I loved this book from the moment I saw the front cover!

The fierce little woman lived in a house at the end of the jetty. She knitted socks in blue and green wool to sell to sailors who got their feet wet. She played bagpipes to the seagulls, swam in the sea, and fished through a hole in the floor.  One stormy day, a pirate came to the house on the jetty. He started tap-tap tapping on the window...

A beautiful story of how to ask a question, of how never to give up, and how to let others know if you're not feeling as brave as you appear.

Joy Cowley is an award winning New Zealand author, and a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.  She is a patron and trustee of Storylines, the Children's Literature Foundation of New Zealand (CLFNZ) and has written a book on writing for children, "Writing from the Heart," as a fundraiser for Storylines.

Miho Satake is the amazing Japanese illustrator  who also was the  Illustrator of the Japanese 20th anniversary edition ‘Harry Potter’ books.

Gecko Press have a brilliant portfolio of books and this is a fantastic new edition brought to life by the story and illustrations. It will stay in your heart!

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.


Published on

A chucklesome story from author-illustrator Alice Courtley that celebrates diversity in nature, and shows that what's "best" is a matter of perspective. 

Steve is a city squirrel. He's got style, he's cultured, he knows what he likes. But for a while now he's felt a call to the wild . . . So Steve packs up his things, says goodbye to city life and moves to the forest.

He's got BIG plans: he's going to build the best garden in the world. He's got his vision in mind, his tools at hand, and his rules for visitors ready. So, why don't the forest folk seem to enjoy his garden as much as he does? Steve sets off to find out, and with each forest neighbour he meets, Steve discovers that perhaps what he thought was "best" might have been missing a thing or two . . .

A timeless story about fresh starts, friendship, and gaining new perspectives. 


 Alice Courtley, author and illustrator is based in Cambridge UK. She has wonderful way of bringing text to life through her illustrations stunningly full of character for the animals. As the author of The Best Garden in the World she has also created a whole world alive .

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.


Published on

Follow Bird as she discovers how animals make their homes in this clever creature caper, packed with oodles of facts and a spoonful of silliness!

Caves, holes, hills, hives and especially nests – they all make GREAT homes for animals but there are SO many MORE. From snow drifts, webs and shells to logs, pebbles and tunnels and even a hot underwater volcano, follow Bird as she discovers how over 50 different animals make, find and build their homes in this super-fun collection of awesome animal tales.

Find out whose home is also used as a trip wire, wrapping paper, parachute . . . and  submarine?! (Spider!) Or which animal clears a tidy a path to their log-pile house to make it easier for visitors? (Rattlesnake! But watch out, visitors . . .  this animal plans to gobble you up!) Whose home has a larder, dining room and super-slidey escape tunnel?! (Mole!) Plus find out which house ends up being the BEST after all. And guess what? It’s not just birds who make nests as this this little Bird is about to find out!

Children will love discovering all the different kinds of animal homes and which clever creatures made, found and built them with awesome facts that are easy to remember to make learning about the animal world fun.

Happy Yak, the publishers are an imprint of Quarto and have a great collection of books which are happy, fun and full of imagination.

Saskia Gwinn has a huge experience in children's books has written and published award-winning books for every age and on every topic .

Adam Ming, illustrator is Malaysian and  lives in Kuala Lumpur, his illustrations are lively and bring all the characters to life.

A wonderfully informative and entertaining book.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

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.