Author & Illustrators
Life’s dangerous when you’re delicious…!
It’s not easy making friends when you’re a pizza. Some people want to meet you, others want to eat you. Frank wants a friend who like him for who he is, not how he tastes. So when he is invited to Billy Greedlepot’s birthday party, Frank’s sure this is the chance he’s been waiting for. His parents are only to well aware of the risks, and encourage him to wear olives and anchovies, as well as classic pepperoni, which everyone at the party thinks is disgusting. He’s lonely until he meets Frances the cupcake, equally ignored because her parents have made her wear beetroot icing. When they remove their unusual toppings, they suddenly become very popular, even more so, because in their excitement Frank and Frances have added some extra tasty bits. In the face of advancing, hungry children Frank and Frances hug each other tight, mashing their toppings together. Nobody wants to eat a hamburger cupcake, or a pizza with marshmallows, salami and squirty cream. But they have found a friendship.
This amusing story is accompanied by bright, expressive illustrations, bringing a light touch to themes of friendship, acceptance and being yourself. Perfect for sharing with Early Years and Key Stage 1 classes, inviting discussion on the above themes and fun activities around food, particularly making pizza and decorating cupcakes!
Once I Was a Tree uses fabulous illustrations and just the right amount of toilet-humour to explain the life of this book, once a tree and formerly a seed that came out of a squirrel’s bottom!
There are references to seed dispersal, plant life-cycles and deforestation that will help readers consider aspects of how humans utilise natural resources and how they can be respectful of the world around them.
If you enjoy funny picture books that explain how things work, you will enjoy this picturebook.
This is a delightful tale of two characters, Tortoise and Hedgehog who are experiencing their first Christmas and who do not know what Christmas is. Many children will be familiar with the characters from the story ‘The Hug’ and other stories in this series and will welcome their familiarness. Exploring what Christmas is all about will resonate with younger children – the excitement of presents, food and decorations all feature.
There is opportunity for some more in-depth discussion with children about each of the aspects of Christmas shared by the other animals in the story – for example, Fox’s focus on presents that are all for him and the story climax of the importance of being with those we love.
The illustrations invite children to look closely at each page – particularly to pick out the little white mouse, who has his own particular excitement and engagement with the trappings of Christmas. Children will enjoy retelling the story from the pictures, developing the detail of the story that is not in the main text but found in the illustrations. This is a super addition to any early years class collection, a lovely book to read aloud at school or at home.
A brilliantly funny story of facing your fears from the picture book team behind The Case of the Missing Cake.
Terry is not an octopus. He’s just a regular guy with a few extra arms. Yes, he loves tuna and yes, he’d love to visit Super Octopus Fantasea Adventure World. But octopuses live in the sea. And Terry is afraid of water. Maybe he should learn to swim?
A very silly story about being brave, facing your fears and accepting who you really are.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Curriculum links (if relevant)
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