Author & Illustrators

Benji Davies Books

The Very Last Christmas Present

Chapter book

The Very Last Christmas Present is a gentle, heartwarming festive tale that captures the magic, wonder and warmth of Christmas. Written by Adam Baron and beautifully illustrated by Benji Davies, this story introduces Kado, Father Christmas’s loyal, but very junior, pup who suddenly finds himself with an enormous responsibility: delivering the one present Santa accidentally forgot!

The adventure that follows takes children on a vivid, globe-spanning journey. From icy landscapes with prowling polar bears to sweeping African plains and deep blue oceans, each setting is brought to life through Davies’s atmospheric illustrations.

Kado himself is a particularly endearing character. His determination, loyalty and courage offer valuable themes for classroom conversations about responsibility, having a go when something feels daunting, and the importance of helping others. Children will enjoy following his journey from uncertain beginner to confident hero, and the surprise waiting inside the final present adds an uplifting twist that reinforces the book’s message about love, belonging and the true meaning of Christmas.

This is a story with wide appeal – It’ll make a lovely class story for KS1 teachers to read aloud over time, as I’m sure it would older pupils in lower KS2. It’s a wonderful a magical adventure wrapped in kindness, courage and festive cheer.

The Giant of Jum

Benji Davies & Elli Woollard

Picturebook

“Fee!” he said, and “Fi!” he said, and “Fo!” he said and “Fum!”

Look out children, the Giant of Jum is grumpy and hungry and he’s off in search of a tasty snack. And the tastiest of all is a boy called Jack! But Jack and his friends don’t see a scary giant, they see a magically tall man – a man who can fetch lost balls and rescue cats from trees! Perhaps this hungry giant is softer than he seems…

An incredible rhyming text and a brilliant, big-hearted twist on a classic fairy tale, from the uniquely talented author and poet, Elli Woollard, and award-winning illustrator, Benji Davies.

The Giant of Jum also contains an important message for all: don’t eat kids, eat cake!

The Puffin Keeper

Benji Davies & Michael Morpurgo

Chapter book

Originally published in November 2020, this month sees the gorgeous new paperback edition of The Puffin Keeper by Michael Morpurgo and Benji Davies.

The Puffin Keeper is a beautiful story of friendship, love, family, hope and new beginnings, which pays homage to memories of family holidays to the Scilly Isles and is set alongside Benji Davies’ colour illustrations that evoke the untamed coastal setting, the character’s passion for painting and the value of passing time in bringing relationships to blossom through life’s differing seasons. The story was also a tribute to Puffin Books on their 80th birthday and is inspired by the founder of Puffin Books, Allen Page. Interestingly, Morpurgo’s wife Claire is one of Allen Page’s daughters and the real-life family connection gives an added element of depth and breath to the story.

The book tells the story of a young boy named Allen and the friendship he forges with solitary Benjamin Postlethwaite, the lighthouse keeper who saves his life. The ship that Allen and 30 others are sailing on becomes washed up on some rocks near the lighthouse, Benjamin saves them all and give them shelter until help can come. Although he doesn’t have much to say, Benjamin and Allen sow the seeds of a friendship that will last a lifetime.

As years go by, Allen grows up and seeks out Benjamin. He returns to Puffin Island and rekindles his friendship with Benjamin, who is feeling unwanted as he no longer has the job of keeping the lighthouse going. Together, they rescue an injured puffin and nurse it back to health. Over time, the puffin returns and brings more puffins to the island. Thus Benjamin becomes known as the puffin keeper.

This story is so beautiful and heart-warming and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It will appeal to readers of all ages, although at just over 100 pages it sits well among Morpurgo’s much-treasured shorter illustrated stories like The Rainbow Bear and Dolphin Boy, which are well loved for capturing hearts in KS1 and lower KS2 classrooms before readers progress onto the author’s lengthier chapter books. There is also an accompanying Resource Pack available to download.

Tad

Benji Davies

Picturebook

This is the story of Tad, the smallest tadpole among her siblings. Tad desperately tries to keep up with the others, not wanting to get left behind – especially as she has heard that ‘Big Blub’ is lurking in the depths of the water. Over time, Tad watches her siblings grow and change, and eventually make the leap out of the water as they become fully grown frogs. When the time comes for Tad to follow in their path, it will take a heap of courage to embrace the next adventure and leap into life.

This is a vibrantly illustrated nature story by Benji Davies, with plenty to spot and count. A good book for Reception or KS1 about life cycles, growth and change or facing new challenges.

The Snowflake

Benji Davies

Picturebook

There’s no feeling quite like cosying up in the warmth with a good story while the snow falls outside. Snow is a key feature of many seasonal winter books and one of our favourites of all is The Snowflake by Benji Davies, which is gentle and charming in equal measure and tenderly demonstrates that it’s not mountainous piles of presents or commercial festivities that make Christmas magical.

High in the sky, a tiny snowflake is born and it begins to tumble down, wondering where it is destined to land. Meanwhile, a little girl called Noelle is getting ready for Christmas, decorating her tree and looking for Christmas wonder in everyday activities. The pair come together in a beautiful moment tied up with warmth, hope and the wonder of the little things that make Christmas time magical.

Bizzy Bear Football Player

Benji Davies

Picturebook

Five easy to move sliders, a rhyming story and lots to spot and say in this series of bright, interactive board books for toddlers!

Bizzy Bear is a football player today and it’s time for the big game! Help him make passes to his teammates and score goals! A funny little story with loads of details to spot and chat about.

This story needs YOU! By pushing, pulling and turning the mechanisms, little hands can move the story onto the next scene and bring the rhyming text to life! The high level of interaction builds confidence and engagement with books, which is a key stepping-stone to reading for toddlers.

Illustrated by multi-award-winning Benji Davies, illustrator of The Storm Whale, and Grandad’s Island.

Grandad’s Island

Benji Davies

Picturebook

A beautiful story about the loss of a beloved grandparent. When Syd and his Grandad go into the attic, they find themselves on a sailing ship travelling to a jungle-covered island. They have fun exploring the wonderful island and befriending its animals. Syd knows it will soon be time for him to go home, but Grandad decides to stay. Saying goodbye is hard as Syd returns home by himself, but he knows that Grandad will be happy staying in this beautiful place.

On Sudden Hill

Benji Davies & Linda Sarah

Picturebook

Brit and Etho are the best of friends. Every day they take their cardboard boxes to the top of Sudden Hill and turn them into adventures. But when Shu comes along, their comfortable two-by-two relationship is changed and Brit finds it difficult to adjust. Eventually, with much persuasion from Etho and Shu, Brit learns that three-by-three can be even better. This heartwarming story explores the feelings of insecurity many of us feel when a new personality comes along, and shows children that it is okay for friendships to change over time. The story inks to the whole school value of ‘friendship’ and can be use with individuals or small groups of children experiencing friendship issues (e.g. when three children are finding it difficult to share each other) or for helping established friends to welcome new friends into their group.

The Storm Whale

Benji Davies

Picturebook

Noi lives by the sea with his fisherman father and life there can feel pretty lonely sometimes. When Noi discovers a little whale washed up on the beach, he takes it home to care for it in his bath tub. But there are two problems; the first is that keeping it a secret from his dad will be tougher than he thinks and the second is that whales really belong in the depths of the sea. This engaging and empathetic picture book is a great choice for KS1.

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight

Benji Davies & Elli Woollard

Picturebook

When a kind young boy helps a strange-looking bird, a beautiful friendship forms. But what these two friends don’t realise is that one is a young knight . . . and the other a young dragon! What will they do when they discover they are enemies and destined to FIGHT?

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight is a bold, funny and heartwarming story from a perfect picture book pairing; the uniquely talented Elli Woollard and award-winning Benji Davies.

Fairy tale fun from the creators of The Giant of Jum .

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