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Age Group: KS1

Non-fiction

Over half of all the visual artists working today are women, but the paintings and sculptures shown in many galleries and museums tell a different story because they’re usually the work of men.

In this book Kate Pankhurst, descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst, tells the fascinating stories of some of history’s most talented female artists.

· Express your feelings and find your identity through art with Frida Kahlo · Run away to the circus and paint with Laura Knight · Help bring talented artists into the spotlight with Peggy Guggenheim · Challenge racism and segregation by creating powerful art with Faith Ringgold

Including comic strips, family trees, maps and more, Fantastically Great Women Artists and Their Stories is a celebration of just some of the women whose creativity and dreams have made a mark on the world. A fantastic gift for girls and boys alike!

List of women featured: Amrita Sher-Gil, Elisabeth Le Brun, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo, Kathe Kollwitz, Dame Laura Knight and Peggy Guggenheim.

Non-fiction

Part of the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the incredible life of Georgia O’Keeffe, one of America’s greatest artists, in this true story of a talented painter who broke boundaries.

As a child, little Georgia viewed the world differently from other people. She roamed outdoors with her sketch book, while other girls played. As an adult, she painted all day. From New York City to New Mexico, she was influenced by the landscapes of her environment.

As her paintings became more popular, she became one of the most succesful artists of her generation, and an inspiring role model for young girls everywhere who wanted to express themselves creatively.

This moving 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 artist’s life.

Picturebook

Part of the highly-successful Anholt’s Artists series about great painters, which tells the stories of real meetings between world-famous artists and the children who knew them. When Julie’s dog disappears into a mysterious garden, Julie follows him – and finds herself in a beautiful garden-within-a-garden where the roses grow like splashes of paint and a Japanese bridge bows over a silent pool. There she finds not only her dog, but also Claude Monet. The famous artist introduces her to his work and his garden, giving her encouragement that the young would-be artist will never forget. Set against the romantic, world-famous backdrop of Monet’s garden at Giverny, the story is accompanied by reproductions of the artist’s most celebrated paintings and a biographical note on Monet.

Non-fiction

Meet the masterminds behind the greatest inventions in history with this nonfiction book for kids aged 7 to 9.

Step into Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop, relax on board Hideo Shima’s speedy bullet train, and join movie star Hedy Lamarr to bounce ideas around in between takes. Inventors looks at the towering achievements of more than 50 inventors in great detail. The stories are as unusual as they are unique. From Mr. Kellogg, who accidentally created cornflakes after leaving grains boiling for too long, to the ancient Turkish polymath Ismail al-Jazari, who decided the best way to power a clock was with a model elephant, to Sarah E. Goode’s fold-up bed space-saving solution–the inventors of this book have all used tons of creativity to find ways to improve our world. These groundbreaking inventions include the very earliest discoveries to modern-day breakthroughs in science, food, transportation, technology, toys, and more.

Each page is packed with jaw-dropping facts, with every inventor’s achievements written as a story. Beautiful illustrations by Jessamy Hawke bring the inventor’s stories to life, and fantastic photography highlights the detail of their designs. With incredible hand-painted cross-sections revealing the intricacies of a robotic arm, the first plane, and the printing press, young readers will marvel at being able to see close-up how these amazing machines work. The inventors come from all walks of life and parts of the world, making this the perfect book for every budding inventor.

Picturebook

Bernard the Robot loses his bottom on the park swing, and sets off to find it. Every time he gets close, it disappears again! Bird was using it as a nest, but it was too heavy; Bear used it in his drum kit, but it was too tinny; the Squirrels built sandcastles with it…and now it looks as if they’re sailing away in it. Will Bernard EVER get his bottom back?

Non-fiction

Build your own moving race car from household objects in this step-by-step guide based on the science behind Formula One.
Take your place at the starting gate and fire up your engine: it’s time to build your very own racing car! Join presenter and maker Fran Scott for a crash course in racing engineering, then use your new-found skills to build your own awesome air-powered machine using household objects. From the chassis to the engine, discover the science behind Formula One in this perfect project for budding young engineers. So what are you waiting for? 3, 2, 1 … let’s race!

Best Children’s Books About Horses and Ponies

This list of the best children’s books about horses and ponies offers something for everyone – whether they read at a trot or a gallop!

This horses and ponies booklist showcases a range of richly illustrated picturebooks alongside fact-packed non-fiction titles.

Both shorter and longer chapter books are also included, featuring tales of adventure, courage, magic and mystery to delight young readers of all ages and abilities.

Best Children’s Books About Dance and Ballet

From ballet to ballroom and disco to street dance, this list showcases the best children’s books about dance and ballet.

Vibrant and engaging picturebooks will have younger readers dancing along to tales of movement and rhythm, while non-fiction fans will delight at stories of real-life dancers.

This dance and ballet booklist also includes a wealth of dance-themed chapter books which tackle topics like friendship, teamwork and courage alongside rehearsals, costumes and talent shows.

Throw in some aliens, witches and dancing fruit, and you’ve got the best list of children’s books about dance!

Chapter book

Jasmine’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and keeping them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means she gets into hot water herself…
A perfect animal story for younger readers by Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted author Helen Peters, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ellie Snowdon.

When Jasmine finds a lost foal in her father’s field, she can’t believe her eyes. Who would abandon such a beautiful creature, especially as it’s hurt its leg? With the race on to reunite Storm with his mother, Jasmine is determined to solve the mystery and bring the culprits to justice!

Brilliant storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation.

Chapter book

For the first time ever Daisy isn’t looking forward to the school holidays. She’s worried about her best friend Mara, who’s ill in hospital. But then, walking her dog in the wood, Daisy spots a group of wild ponies quietly grazing. She is especially drawn to a young silvery-white pony and, as she spends time watching the pony, she starts to feel less alone.

Visiting the pony one day, Daisy runs into James from school. She’s worried he’ll tease her but instead he has some terrible news. The pony actually belongs to his dad and it’s James’ job to help look after her. Is Daisy about to lose her new friend?

A heart-warming story about unlikely friendships from best-selling author Holly Webb.

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