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What a remarkable book!  I was totally mesmerised after the first page and then it just became better. It's a beautiful story about whale migration and some of the perils of the vast oceans. On every page there is a fact, which are easy to remember, such as...

' Humpback whales can make calls and songs at such low pitch that predators such as Orcas are unable to hear them. Scientists call this' whispering'.

An excellent early years book from Charlotte Manning  and Otter-Barry Books.

Be brave, little Uki, be brave,” calls Grandpa Yuka. But Uki doesn’t feel brave at all!

Uki is a young Humpback Whale. Every year his beloved grandpa Yuka leads little Uki and the whale pod from tropical seas to the icy waters of the Arctic. But this time is different – this time Cousin Amka will be the leader….


There are dangers ahead for the whales, terrible storms and hungry sharks. And when sharp-toothed Orcas attack, Amka becomes trapped deep down, in an old fishing net. Can Uki remember the song of peace his grandfather taught him? Can he save the pod and will he now be brave enough to lead the whales to safety?

This exciting story with richly coloured illustrations, is inspired by the real lives of Humpback Whales, and includes fascinating facts about the whales and their amazing journey.

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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This cheery book of play rhymes from Otter-Barry Books is perfect for parents and teachers with young children. It's full of inspiring and easy to use action rhymes which will be remembered.

Find hamsters and dogs, robins and unicorns, little cars and big diggers. Stomp like a dinosaur or fly like a big red dragon in this brilliant collection of 15 action rhymes for young children and babies

Rhymes celebrate festivals and special events, such as Easter, Halloween, Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year. With clear instructions to parents and carers, there are fun activities and lots of joining in for every rhyme, for babies, toddlers and older children too.


This book is a perfect companion to Jane Newberry’s very popular first collection, Big Green Crocodile, which was shortlisted for the CLiPPA award. At home, playgroup or nursery, the rhymes provide fun while also nurturing children’s responses to language, rhyme and images. Carolina Rabei has created some beautifully colourful illustrations which are alive with action.

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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Ruby the fox and Growl the wolf live deep in the forest. There’s just one problem – they hate each other…!

But when a raging storm tears through the forest and the animals have to flee, they must help each other to survive. Can Ruby and Growl overcome their enmity and find friendship in the heart of the storm?
An exciting, fast-paced picture book adventure with stunning illustrations, celebrating courage and the importance of helping each other.

Beautifully illustrated book and the story of friendship shines through, against all odds. Even when it was hard talk to each other before. Ruby and Growl have faced danger together and now will live in friendship for ever!

A story for us all, written wonderfully in a few words by Teresa Heapy .  A quote from Teresa's website, which is packed with information and more books!

Leave me alone!”  A lone wolf.   A wolf that was lonely – but disguising it well with harrumphs and snarls.  Living in a tangle of trees, well away from everyone and everything else.  Time had put frost on his whiskers and ice in his heart.  I couldn’t stop thinking about him.  I was writing during the pandemic, so there was a lot of alone-ness going on.  I wanted to write a proper adventure for this wolf, that thawed his heart and found him love.       But I wasn’t quite sure who else was there or what happened.   Sometimes stories start like that – with just one character.  It might be simply an image, or a phrase.  And sometimes they remain…

Action packed illustrations( which show more than a thousand words) by Kate Read, who illustrates and writes children's books plus many other things. In her illustrations she uses hand painted and mono printed paper collage, finished digitally.

A great book from Otter-Barry Publishers and one to add to oyur oe=wn library or in schools and groups.

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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The story of one family's contribution to a huge undertaking: the planting of the Great Green Wall of Africa. Set in sub-Saharan Africa, an inspiring story of how one family and their community come together to plant a section of the Great Green Wall which will being hope and regeneration across the continent.

The story is set  in Mali and is about an exciting real life project to bring trees and growth into sub Saharan Africa. In a place where it is too hot to run around and where the children play in the shade a family help to plant young seedlings.

" These little trees will make life better for the animals , the birds and all of us. "says Uncle Cedric.

A beautiful book with appealing and colourful illustrations from Ken Wilson Max, showing to children across the world how they can actually make a difference to their world and the planet.

Ken Wilson Max is an award winning author and illustrator, with over 70 books to his credit. He was born in Zimbabwe and has a deep commitment to African regeneration.

Otter-Barry Books is an exciting children's imprint aiming to make a difference, push boundaries and publish books which children will love. They are one of my favourite publishers of children's books as each book tells a wonderful story.

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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Dog and Cat were happy living next door until a misunderstanding caused a real kerfuffle! Now they can’t stand each other any longer, so they start to build a wall between their gardens. The wall goes up and up and up.

One day a funny rabbit pops its head over. But whose garden will this new friend play in? Here’s another cause for chaos between neighbours! Finally a better idea for how to use the bricks finds three happy friends sharing the garden after all—until some pigs move in next door . . . .

From the creator of sensational lift-the-flap books about fairy tales and adventures comes a delightfully simple story about getting along with friends, which doesn’t put the lid on pandemonium.

Clotilde Perrin is an illustrator and author living in Strasbourg, France. She has published over 30 books including the international lift-the-flap bestseller Inside the Villains. Day in the life of Clotilde Perrin .

I really enjoyed this book with its wonderfully interactive 'lift the flaps' as part of the story and how eventually a resolution to the 'kerfuffle'.

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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In this larger-than-life picture book, Eric the duck is nervous to swim in the lake for fear a monster might live there, but he bravely follows his friends and discovers something spectacular indeed lives beneath the surface

Four ducks are tired of their small pond and set out for an adventure in the big lake. Walking at the back, Eric isn’t sure. He’s heard there’s a monster in the lake, but his friends don’t believe a word of that old story! Eric reluctantly tags along, only to make a startling discovery and find himself in a wonderful underwater adventure.

 

This large-format picture book features a detailed fold-out underwater world of mechanical marvels and sea creatures. The story of a nervous duck who finds courage and the overconfidence of groups will resonate with anyone who’s nervously dipped a toe in unknown waters.

Author and illustrator is Belgian Leo Timmers,  who has written and illustrated some amazing books, including Bears Lost Glasses and Monkey on the Run.

Published by Gecko Press, who have a a portfolio of beautiful and intriguing children's books.

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 new collection of eight nursery tales - traditional stories for younger children, including all the favourite classics, delightfully retold and enchantingly illustrated by James Mayhew, internationally bestselling author and illustrator of Once Upon a Tune, A Symphony of Stories, the Mrs Noah series and many other much-loved picture books.

The stories included are: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (England), Little Red Riding Hood (Germany), The Billy Goats Gruff (Norway), The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf (England), The Enormous Turnip (Ukraine), The Tortoise and the Hare (Ancient Greece), The Gingerbread Man (North America), The Vain Little Mouse (Spain)

Using the same technique of colourful cut-outs and collage as in his best selling Once Upon a Tune: Stories from the Orchestra, James Mayhew has created another spectacular gift book, this time for a very young audience.

I love this book for its ability to engage with children and adults, so the book and the story can be read with the illustrations telling the story too, perfect!

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.


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The Other Side of the Rainbow is a magical and heart-warming adventure about change, resilience, and the beauty of the world around us – from internationally bestselling author and illustrator Beatrice Blue. 

Lucien has always been wary of change – whether it’s trying new foods, moving to a new home, or making new friends. He prefers the comfort of the familiar. But one stormy night, a gust of wind blows open his window and extinguishes his fire, leaving only a single ember still glowing. To his amazement, the ember transforms into a playful, dancing flame – a glowing boy who whisks him away on an extraordinary journey through all four seasons in a single day.

As Lucien explores sunlit meadows, autumn forests, icy lakes, and blooming spring landscapes, he meets new animal friends and begins to see the magic in the ever-changing world around him. Through this breath-taking adventure, he discovers that change isn’t something to fear – it’s a natural, beautiful part of life, full of exciting possibilities.

With its rich, immersive storytelling and luminous artwork, The Other Side of the Rainbow is a stunningly imaginative picture book that encourages young readers to embrace life’s transitions with courage and wonder. A timeless tale filled with warmth and adventure, this is a story to be cherished and shared.

Beatrice Blue is a talented author and illustrator of children's books. The illustrations are wonderfully imaginative and perfect for children to use to follow the story

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.


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"I’m hungry! Fish are boring! I want something new. Something soft… and fluffy!"

Meet a little penguin who is super hungry but totally bored of eating fish. An older penguin recalls hearing of a fluffy creature called a ‘bolar pear’, so the little penguin sets off on an adventurous mission to find and eat this ‘mystery’ creature.

On arrival at the North Pole, the penguin can’t see a polar bear anywhere and eventually turns back home, hungry as ever. Little does penguin know that an equally hungry polar bear is following right behind...

This story will have readers gleefully shouting ‘it’s behind you!’ as this hilarious story unfolds. The reader can follow oblivious penguin on every step of its journey as it narrowly escapes being gobbled up by the polar bear.

Karl Newson is a best-selling, multi-award-winning children's book author. Author of the award winning picture book I Am a Tiger, the best-selling I Really Really Need a Wee and The Same But Different Too, plus many more! His stories have been translated in 29 languages around the world. Karl grew up in Norwich, England, and was inspired to write his first story when his children were small… he’s been writing stories ever since. He lives in London now, in a wonky old house full of pot plants and books.

Nicola Kinnear is an illustrator, storyteller, designer and maker from Kent. Nicola loves illustrating books for children and gravitates towards the magical and whimsical in her work, and is greatly inspired by nature and folklore.

Happy Yak is an imprint of Quarto Books  new imprint that publishes preschool board books, playful picture books, and accessible nonfiction for kids ages zero to seven.

A super book for the winter season, funny and with a great story, it will be a favourite for many children.

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.


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Little People, BIG DREAMS, Louis Braille, explores the life of the remarkable man behind Braille, the tactile reading and writing system.

Little Louis was a curious child – always exploring and having adventures. Then one day, while playing in his father’s workshop, he had an accident with a tool and eventually lost sight in both eyes. It was tricky to get used to, but with help from his family and a local teacher, Louis continued to learn and explore.

Aged ten, he moved to Paris to start at the Royal Institute for the Young Blind. Unfortunately, the school used a system that was very tricky, and didn’t allow pupils to write. Disappointed with alternatives, Louis began to develop his own system. When he shared his invention four years later, his teachers and classmates were amazed – his system used just six dots in a tiny space that fit under his fingertip, and included a complete alphabet, with punctuation marks, numbers and mathematical symbols.

It took many years for his system to be widely used, but little by little it spread across the world and came to be known as Braille. Today, Braille is used by more than six million people and there are codes for more than 133 languages.

Little People,Big Dreams is a brilliant series of books, widely used in schools, homes and libraries. They provide real insights into people and are great for children and adults to start a voyage of discovery.

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is the author of the books.

Ana Albero, the  illustrator of many of the titles was born in Alicante, Spain. She studied Visual Communication at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and illustration at the University of the Arts Berlin.

Little People, Big Dreams is published by Frances Lincoln, children's books, part of Quarto and is an excellent place for resources and fascinating books.

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.