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Chapter book

A stirring and heart-warming tale of a young deaf girl who is determined to make a difference, the perfect read for fans of Wonder.

Iris was born deaf, but she’s never let that define her; after all, it’s the only life she’s ever known. And until recently she wasn’t even very lonely, because her grandparents are both deaf, too. But Grandpa has just died and Grandma’s not the same without him. The only place Iris really feels at home anymore is in her electronics workshop where she loves taking apart antique radios.

Then, during a science lesson about sound waves, Iris finds out about a whale who is unable to communicate with other whales. The lonely whale awakens something in Iris. She’s determined to show him that someone in the world knows he’s there.

Iris works on a foolproof plan to help the whale but she soon realises that that is not enough: Iris wants to find the whale herself. One stolen credit card, two cruise ship tickets, and the adventure of a lifetime later, Iris and the whale each break through isolation to help one another be truly heard in ways that neither had ever expected.

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, young children category, for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.

Picturebook

It’s party time at The Number Tower in this hilarious new story about a group of number friends. Three is very excited about having a birthday party. But when the other Digits arrive, things don’t go to plan. There isn’t space for everyone to sit or enough cake to go around. Can the Digits find a way to save the party and give Three the best birthday ever? Perfect for understanding greater and less, double and half – you can count on the Digits to make numbers fun!

Non-fiction

Dive into this treasure trove of beautifully illustrated artefacts and learn more about the amazing ancient civilisations that created them as you complete puzzles and search for clues.

Can you find all the Egyptian gods hidden in the scene? Or can you match these Roman busts to the description of famous emperors? Explore precious jewels, mosaics, statues and ceramics from across history and throughout the world and find out more about the incredible ancient civilisations who made them. This busy activity book on ancient art is jam-packed with stimulating search-and-finds and perplexing puzzles that can be enjoyed time and time again.

Chapter book

Wilfred, the Saxon village Cunning Man, is loved by all for his wondrous healing powers. But he is growing old and weary, and it will soon be time for his apprentice, Ardith, to step up. It’s a risky job, and Ardith’s about to learn the hard way that you need more than potions and magic words. You need to be… cunning.

Join master storyteller Terry Deary for a trip back in time to Saxon times and an exciting adventure.

Non-fiction

A simple and dramatic introduction to the Great Fire of London in 1666 – what caused it, how it spread, how it was put out and how the city was rebuilt. Colourful illustrations on every page help bring history to life, along with maps and photographs of historical evidence and simple informative text. Ideal for homework and school projects – the Great Fire of London is now a compulsory National Curriculum topic for history at Key Stage 2.

Picturebook

In this uplifting picture book, you imagine a world where everyone looks identical, where all food tastes the same, where we all speak the same language. A world that is…well, pretty boring. But with an explosion of colour, the pages soon come to life. This joyful picture book encourages children to imagine the world as a vast library, with room on the shelves for everybody’s story. It is a celebration of our incredibly diverse world as it really is: home to 195 countries with thousands of different cultures, 10 million colours and 4,300 religions.

Written by Uju Asika, author of Bringing up Race, this beautiful picture book celebrates the beauty and joy of living in a wonderfully diverse world.

Picturebook

When Lulu reads Mary, Mary Quite Contrary in a book of garden poems, she wants to grow some flowers herself. Being Lulu, she has to do some research first. She gets gardening books, chooses the best flowers to grow, buys seeds and plants them. Then she has to wait…While she is waiting she makes a flower book, collects silver bells, beads and shells to decorate the garden like the rhyme and even makes a ‘Mary Mary’ doll! When her flowers have grown, she bakes some cupcakes and invites her friends to see it. Whew! Lulu Loves Flowers; encourages indoors and outdoors activity, covers spending time with both parents, promotes love of reading and visiting libraries.

Picturebook

A hugely uplifting and full-of-heart picture book by CBeebies sensation George Webster and bestselling illustrator Tim Budgen!

Meet George and his friends!

This is me. I am George. My eyes are sparkly, just like my mum.

Like my dad, I’m determined and brave, and like my sister, I’m full of FUN!

This is Me celebrates our differences and is perfect for every child and every family. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt and positive story, with illustrations that are guaranteed to make you smile.

This is Me will bring out the glow in everyone!

Our differences make us special. We don’t all have to be the same.

Imagine how boring the world would be if everyone had the same name.

With bright and engaging illustrations alongside a genuine and heartfelt story, This is Me is the perfect picture book for any child. So, get ready to read all about George, a little boy with the biggest heart!

George Webster is an actor, BAFTA-winning presenter, Ambassador for Mencap, and a star of Strictly Come Dancing 2022, including its Christmas Day special. George was catapulted into the public eye when he spoke about Down syndrome in his myth-busting video for BBC Bitesize, and was later asked to be a presenter on CBeebies. George was the first ever CBeebies presenter to have Down syndrome.

Tim Budgen is the outstanding illustrator of bestselling books such as Twenty Dinosaurs at Bedtime, Twenty Unicorns at Bedtime and The Magic Pet Shop series. Tim’s illustrations are bright, engaging and perfect for children!

With a joyous rhyming story and a whole host of children alongside the main character, this powerful picture book is the perfect way to show children that not only are they amazing, but their friends, family and even people they haven’t yet met are amazing too!

Picturebook

Once upon a time, somewhere not far away, was the Wild. The Wild was huge and giving, and everything from insects, to birds, to humans made their home in it. At first, people lived lightly and took what they needed, but when they started to take more, the Wild suffered. For the Wild to be healthy, someone must be brave enough to raise their voice . . .

Yuval Zommer’s lyrical modern fable has a hopeful and powerful message about how our environment needs us just as much as we need it.

Chapter book

From hilarious bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a brand-new Lottie Brooks story. This time it’s CHRISTMAS!!!

Dear Santa,

For Christmas this year, I would like:

Two hundred KitKat chunkies (full-size not multipack)
Baby Bella to stop shouting ‘BUM’ in public spaces
A new brother who doesn’t fart on me and call it a ‘tasty air biscuit’
Antoine or Daniel (I can’t decide!) to surprise me on Christmas Day with a grand romantic gesture
Cash (lots of it!)
A new diary (I’m really getting through them!)

Lots of love,

Lottie xxx

PS. Please could you put a chocolate orange instead of a real orange in my stocking this year?

Lottie Brooks LOVES Christmas – there’s presents, all the KitKat Chunkys you can eat AND no school for two weeks! But this year, Christmas might be a bit more chaotic than usual. The whole Brooks family are visiting for the festive break (along with some surprise visitors . . .), there’s a Secret Santa to organise, and the hammies won’t stop attacking Gavin, the Elf on the Shelf!

Will Lottie survive the festivities intact or will she have to hide in the fort of shame until it’s all over?

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