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Age Group: KS1

bear and bird

Bear and Bird

Short story collection

Bear didn’t really like the painting. I mean, look at it. But he liked Bird a lot, and it would remind him of her…

Bear and Bird are best friends! And while they don’t always understand each other, they both agree: all they want is to make the other happy. So, when Bear forgets to pack for a picnic (but pretends that he didn’t), Bird doesn’t let on that she knew all along. And when Bird discovers that Bear has more of a certain talent than she does, well, Bear finds a touching way to make her feel better…

Full of funny mix-ups and comic misunderstandings, as well as genuine warmth and affection, these four stories are the start of an irresistibly charming new chapter book series from award-winning creator Jarvis.

sammy striker and the football cup

Sammy Striker and the Football Cup

Picturebook

Shoot for the stars with Sammy Striker! From Oscars Prize-shortlisted Catherine Emmett and bestselling illustrator Joe Berger, Sammy Striker and the Football Cup is an empowering story for young footie fans, about friendship, football, and having the courage to believe in yourself.

Sammy Striker is NEVER found without a football at her feet, and one day at the park, she’s spotted by Melissa McDream who coaches the Under 8s National Team! Sammy is a dribbler-extraordinaire, headed straight for the top. But, as the Football Cup gets closer, Sammy’s shots on goal go a bit wonky.

Will Sammy work out that it’s what makes her difference that will help them win the final?

trailblazer lily parr the unstoppable star of womens football

Trailblazer: Lily Parr, the Unstoppable Star of Women’s Football

Picturebook

A truly inspiring story. What an incredible talent Lily was! – Steve Wilson, Match of the Day Lily is one of the most talented footballers of her time but, when football is banned for women, she has to battle prejudice to play the sport she loves. Based on the incredible true story behind English football player, Lily Parr and her trailblazing success.

roar a guide to dreaming big and playing the sport you love

ROAR: A Guide to Dreaming Big and Playing the Sport You Love

Non-fiction

DREAM BIG. PLAY THE GAME YOU LOVE. LET THEM HEAR YOU ROAR.

Football hero Beth Mead grew up playing football on the pitches of North Yorkshire. She went on to become a football champion, role model and Golden Boot winner at the 2022 European Championships. She’s here to help you find your sporting passion, work hard and achieve your dreams.

From finding something you love, having fun and setting superstar goals to raising your game, working as a team and flicking your superstar switch, sport has the magic to help you achieve success in all areas of your life. But it’s also about fun, freedom, friendship, focus and flair, and it is for EVERYONE.

So stretch your legs, lace up your boots and discover Beth’s insider tips, tricks and activities and for dreaming big and playing the sport you love.

Written with bestselling children’s author Matt Oldfield.

when poems fall from the sky

When Poems Fall From the Sky

Poetry

Nominated for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing and the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration.

Original, inspiring and intimate, When Poems Fall From the Sky marries science and poetry to create a tender and thoughtful love-letter to Earth promising children a riot of imagination, humour and joy – the perfect book to celebrate National Poetry Day on 6th October.

The collection of poems, raps, rhymes, haiku and little plays is written by Zaro Weil, winner of the 2020 CLiPPA children’s poetry prize and is illustrated in full colour throughout by artist Junli Song.

When Poems Fall From the Sky is the first title to publish since the pair won the coveted CLiPPA prize with their stunning poetry anthology, Cherry Moon.

In exquisitely illustrated full-colour pages, trees, birds, animals, rivers, flowers, mountains and insects each share their own magical stories. And the stories they tell, the ‘poems’ that fall from the sky, subtly and powerfully illuminate our hope and collective role as guardians of our earth.

best books for children for autism awareness

Autism and Autistic Characters

Recommended children’s books about autism and autistic characters

Browse our booklist of recommended children’s books that foster awareness and understanding of autism. Our selection of books offers a range of perspectives on neurodiversity, exploring different experiences of autism including personal accounts and experiences of supporting family and friends. Books and stories can play an important role in raising awareness and promoting understanding towards autistic individuals as well as celebrating their strengths and talents and allowing children with autism to be represented in stories written by authors with similar experiences.

Our booklist is designed for anyone seeking to promote diversity and inclusion in their personal or school settings, including parents, teachers, and those looking for personal development. This varied booklist of picturebooks, chapter books and graphic novels includes relatable stories for autistic children, as well as books that help all children to understand what it is like for autistic people to navigate a world that isn’t always designed with them in mind and stories designed to celebrate neurodiversity.

The Koala Who Could

Picturebook

A funny rhyming story about dealing with change and overcoming worries, from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside.

In a wonderful place, at the breaking of dawn, where the breezes were soft and the sunshine was warm, a place where the creatures ran wild and played free … A Koala called Kevin clung to a tree.

Meet Kevin. A koala who likes to keep things the same. Exactly the same. But sometimes change comes along whether we like it or not… And, as Kevin discovers, if you step outside your comfort zone and try new things, you might just surprise yourself!

Wisp: A Story of Hope

Picturebook

Idris is a child refugee, born into a world of tents and fences. He has known no other life than this. He has no memories of the world outside.

Then the Wisp arrives, floating in on the evening breeze. Everyone who holds it finds their memories reawakened, their hopes of freedom reborn. But what about Idris, who has no memories? What will happen when he holds the magical Wisp?

Storytelling and imagination have the power to offer hope in this extraordinary picture book from the Amnesty CILIP Honour-winning author of The Bone Sparrow, Zana Fraillon, and Kate Greenaway Medal-winning illustrator Grahame Baker Smith.

Word Trouble

Picturebook

A beautiful, moving and sensitively told picture book about language barriers, communication and a very young child’s immigrant experience.

When Ronnie moves to a new house, in a new country, he’s excited to make friends. But when he introduces himself to everyone at nursery – “My name is four. I am Ronnie years old.” – the other children can’t help but giggle. His words are all mixed up! Ronnie misses home and laughing with his old friends. But new doesn’t stay that way for long…

This authorial debut from Bulgarian author-illustrator Vyara Boyadjieva is honest and uplifting, with Ronnie ultimately discovering that kindness, and laughter, are universal.

Along Came a Different

Picturebook

Reds love being red. Yellows love being yellow. And Blues love being blue. The problem is that they just don’t like each other.

But one day, along comes a different colour who likes Reds, Yellows and Blues, and suddenly everything starts to change.

Maybe being different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends …

A very special picture book that supports the adage that there is more that unites us than divides us. Along Came a Different just goes to show how much better we can all be when we come together to find common ground as friends. Every bookshelf should have a copy.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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