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Ella Okstad Books

call the puffins

Call the Puffins

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Chapter book
resources-available

This short chapter book introduces a delightful series following Muffin and Tiny, two plucky young puffin cadets training on the Island of Egg to become part of the island’s search and rescue team. The story is brought to life with joyful illustrations of wide-eyed, round-beaked puffins that are just oozing with character.

This book works excellently as an early chapter book for emerging readers. It’s a feel-good tale that beautifully explores themes of nature, finding courage and working together.

Ideal for KS1 upwards, it provides a wonderful bridge to independent reading, and even includes a fun fact-file about puffins for young animal or bird enthusiasts.

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let me do it

Let ME Do It!

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Picturebook

Teddy is NOT a baby anymore. So why won’t his family stop fussing over him?

One day he decides that enough is enough and takes matters into his own hands. Soon Teddy is brushing his own hair, buttoning his own coat, and even making his own breakfast. As Teddy’s confidence grows, he becomes ever more ambitious. What could possibly go wrong?

Narrated in the first person in Simon Philip’s uniquely appealing picture book voice and with hilarious illustrations by Ella Okstad, this is a funny and mischievous story that will resonate with both children and their parents.

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squishy mcfluff supermarket sweep

Squishy McFluff: Supermarket Sweep!

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Chapter book

From the funniest voice in young fiction today, the second in an irresistible series for young readers about imaginary friends in hilarious rhyming text and with adorable illustrations by Ella Okstad.

Can you see him? My kitten? He has eyes big and round
His miaow is so sweet (but it makes not a sound!)
Imagine him quick! Have you imagined enough?
Oh, good, you can see him! It’s Squishy McFluff!

When Mum drags Ava to the supermarket, her invisible cat Squishy McFluff can’t resist coming along, with hilarious, chaotic and surprising results!

Told in full colour throughout, this is the perfect stepping stone from picture books to older fiction.

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lottie the little wonder

Lottie the Little Wonder

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Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly
dyslexia-friendly

This short, colour-illustrated chapter book for newly independent readers is based on the true story of Lottie Dod, a talented young athlete in the late 1880s who proved that she could do whatever she set her mind to.

Lottie was born to wealthy parents in the north of England. Lottie and her siblings were tutored at home and prevented from venturing outside the family estate. When a grass tennis court was created in the grounds, just as the sport of lawn tennis was gaining popularity, Lottie discovered that she had real talent for the game. Despite her mother’s refusal to allow her out to participate in a competition, Lottie sneaked out early and travelled to Manchester to take part. This is the start of a competitive career which sees Lottie winning many tournaments, culminating in lifting the Wimbledon trophy at the age of 15!

She also discovered a talent for golf, archery and hockey, amongst other sports. She became, perhaps, the world’s first female sports superstar. There are wonderful messages about self-belief in this story, and themes of resilience, female participation in sport and determination abound.

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squishy mcfluffs camping adventure

Squishy McFluff’s Camping Adventure!

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Picturebook

Ava has a very special cat that no one else can see! His name is Squishy McFluff and he loves going on adventures. Ava and Dad are off on their first-ever camping holiday and, of course, Squishy McFluff is going too. Dad tells Ava about the serious business of camping and they spend quite some time getting everything packed and ready. When they arrive, Dad is shocked to discover that the tent isn’t in the car. Ava and Squishy McFluff thought that building a den to sleep in would be much more fun!

Told through rhymes and bright illustrations, younger readers will love reading about Ava and Squishy McFluff’s camping adventures.

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ballerina dreams

Ballerina Dreams

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Chapter book, Non-fiction

One windy day, a magazine blew down the road. I reached out and caught it. A pretty picture of a woman was on the front cover of the magazine. She wore a short pink dress that stuck out around her in a circle. She looked very happy.

At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since, and after a spell as a principal dancer in New York, now dances for the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam.

Beautifully and gently illustrated by Ella Okstad, Ballerina Dreams is the younger-reader edition of Michaela DePrince’s highly moving memoir, Hope in a Ballet Shoe.

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if i were prime minister

If I Were Prime Minister

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Picturebook
book-of-the-month

‘If I were Prime Minister…’ is a feel-good story which looks at how our country is run through the eyes of a kind, thoughtful and playful child.

The story follows a young child’s imagination and their desires for the community and country that they live in. They go through numerous wishes, including changing the sea to water that swallows plastic, making sure everyone has at least two friends, that every garden has a swimming pool and that woolly jumpers would not feel itchy. The real question is, ‘What would you do if you were Prime Minister or Team Captain?’

This feel-good picture book is a beautifully illustrated story which gets the reader thinking about what they would change if they were in charge. It covers major socio-political themes including the environment, education and immigration in a child-friendly way. The designs of the pages are playful and eye-catching with an easy-to-read font with the words strewn around pictures, making it fun to read and keeping big themes light-hearted to encourage creative and imaginative thinking.

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Squishy McFluff: The Invisible Cat!

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From the funniest voice in young fiction today, the first in an irresistible series for young readers about imaginary friends in hilarious rhyming text and with adorable illustrations by Ella Okstad.

‘Can you see him? My kitten? Close your eyes tight His fur is so soft and all silvery white Imagine him quick! Have you imagined enough? Oh, good, you can see him! It’s Squishy McFluff!’

When Ava discovers an imaginary cat in the cabbage patch, she knows she’s found a new best friend. Together, Ava and Squishy McFluff get up to all kinds of mischief . . .

Told in full colour throughout, this is the perfect stepping stone from picture books to older fiction. Bright new talent Pip Jones gives a hilarious, quirky twist to everyday experiences for readers aged 5+.

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Squishy McFluff: Tea with the Queen

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Picturebook

A gentle adventure for young children, with loveable characters and a chance to imagine having tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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