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Hannah Tolson Books

A substantial hardback, beautifully illustrated in full colour to inform and celebrate 50 festivals from around the world. The endpapers are decorated with a riot of colourful fireworks leading to a helpful contents page categorised by continent. There is a handy glossary of words at the back and an alphabetical index.

Each double-page spread displays the date and location of a festival, explaining what and who is involved alongside some interesting and often surprising facts. There is much to interest both children and adults. We particularly liked learning about the Lotus Lantern Festival that takes place in Seoul, South Korea; we enjoyed the bright depictions of a dragon, elephant and Buddha.

The French Festival of Giants that happens in June was also fun to read about: every year people flock to Douai in France to celebrate with a parade of five ginormous puppets. Afterwards, there is a celebration just for children called Festival des Binbins with giant games, puppet shows, juggling and clowns.

A top non-fiction choice covering themes of festivals, celebrations, around the world and diversity.

Join Lucy and Oscar and their dog Jasper as they explore spring, summer, autumn and winter on a woodland walk. What amazing things can you see? Come rain or shine, Oscar and Lucy walk Jasper the dog every day.

On a spring morning, the world is waking up, animals peek out from their burrows and the birds sing happy songs. On summer afternoons it is HOT HOT HOT and picnics are a joy to have. On autumn evenings, the sky turns black and minibeasts find their perfect hiding spots. Winter mornings are frosty and cold. Spot all the nature elements that make woodland walks so special!

Each spread uncovers an exciting new scene, at a certain time of the day and the year. Spot all the animals, minibeasts, leaves, trees and flowers. The wood is full of treasures.

Published in collaboration with The Woodland Trust, the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK, and with delightful artwork from Hannah Tolson, A Walk in the Woods will delight kids who love to explore.

A Traveller girl creates her own musical instrument from a willow branch and lots of recycled objects. She plays it enthusiastically, but it sounds terrible! Ignoring warnings not to awaken the ogre in the hills, Ossiri goes there to practise playing her instrument. Will she wake the ogre, and will it appreciate her playing? Told by a Romani storyteller and a picture book author, this original tale offers a fascinating insight into Travelling lifestyles and cultures.

Our world is a spectacular place, full of curiosity and wonder. Why not take a closer look…
Prepare to explore five fascinating habitats. Read about weird and wonderful plants, from the prickly cactus to the carnivorous Venus flytrap; discover the amazing adaptations that animals have made to survive in some of the harshest places on Earth; and learn about the traditions of people from all over our world.

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