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Caroline Crowe Books

weather tots sunny starts school

Weather Tots: Sunny Starts School

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Picturebook

Sunny is a positive, literal ‘ray of sunshine’. On her first day at school, she is determined to shine and to be the best that she can be. Her enthusiasm and excitement lead to some accidental errors, which cause Sunny to feel downhearted and despondent. There is much to be learned from this bright and engaging picture book. Children will love the characters; they are colourful and uncomplicated in their design with names that reflect their weather-related functions and personalities.

Changing states and the needs of plants are interesting science concepts that are covered as an integral, but fun, part of the story. As sunny embarks on her school journey, she learns that working together is more effective than trying to outshine everyone else. She discovers that everyone is unique and everyone is special in their own, individual way. This is a beautiful book to look at and is the perfect length for bedtime reading.

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bunnys new brakes

Bunny’s New Brakes

Picturebook

From the duo who brought you the Christmas smash-hit “Santa’s New” series comes an Easter special! Blaze the bunny’s scooter crash threatens to ruin Easter unless there’s a way to make more chocolate eggs in time?

A perfect day, no clouds and sunny,
And look here comes a little bunny . . .
Oh dear she’s coming rather fast,
‘She’s heading for the egg display!’
‘My brakes won’t work, quick out the way!’

Poor Blaze is not like all the other bunnies. Instead of lolloping around peacefully, she likes to travel FAST on her scooter. But disaster strikes when she crashes into the chocolate eggs that the Easter bunnies need for Easter morning! How will Blaze find a fix in time? Perhaps instead of chocolate eggs, she can create a chocolate bunny mould?

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be more dog

Be More Dog

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Picturebook

Perfect for dog lovers, this book causes a smile with the ‘Tail of Happiness’- a wagging tail!

The main character, whose name we never find out, has a special bond with his dog ‘Sam’ – whose superpower is happiness. When the main character’s dad goes to work, he feels sad and the story is about the journey of following Sam to help him find happiness. They do all the usual fun games for a dog such a sniffing a shoe and chasing a ball. Once his dad comes home, he feels very happy but realises that he can now find happiness on his own, although it is even better to find it together.

The illustrations throughout the story stand out due to the white background. For children who prefer a less busy background, this story is ideal. The main character has a hearing aid, which is not mentioned during the story, supporting positive representations of characters with hearing loss.

This story is a celebration of man’s best friend as well as taking joy from all around us. Sam the dog is a great role model in finding happiness in both likely and unlikely places. This story is a wonderful addition to an Early Years/ KS1 classroom to read aloud or have in the book corner.

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santas new reindeer

Santa’s New Reindeer

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Picturebook

Santa needs a new reindeer in this third hilarious Christmas must-have picture book, from the duo who brought you Santa’s New Beard and Santa’s New Sleigh!

One week to go ’till Christmas Day,
The final touches underway,
A ribbon here, a flourish there,
And presents piled up everywhere.

Santa smiled. ‘What could go wrong?’
He didn’t have to wait too long . . .
Out of the sky a whirling blur,
Of antlers, legs and soft brown fur,

Came crashing through the workshop roof,
And that’s how Rudolph sprained his hoof . . .

Oh no! Another Christmas disaster! The sleigh can’t fly without Rudolph. Luckily, head engineer Lizzie is on hand to help . . . introducing ROBO-REINDEER! Christmas is saved once more.

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How Do You Make a Rainbow?

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Picturebook

A joyful picturebook tapping into the power of finding positivity in the world around us.

When a little girl wants to know whether rainbows are painted, Grandad explains that instead they are made with hope and kindness to others. The story visits each of the rainbow’s colours, listing associated things that bring hope, joy or kindness. Red is tulips or jam on toast, orange is kicking autumn leaves or dressing up as tigers, yellow is feeling sand on your toes or tasting zingy lemons, and so on. Many of the activities mentioned are those shared between friends or family members, and others focus on giving or being a blessing to others. Others still are just personal pleasures (like dying your hair a punk-rock shade of purple!).

I loved the emphasis on finding joy in everyday things, and it’s hard to read the story without thinking of your own rainbow of joyful activities that bring colour to life. This story could be an excellent springboard into conversations and activities with children about being mindful of small pleasures, about finding positivity and about drawing on how love, friendship and community can bring joy.

Cheerful in concept and also in its bright illustrations and bouncy rhyme, this is a happy read that is perfectly pitched for readers aged 3-7.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

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