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Publisher: Scallywag Press

Scallywag Press proudly present Simon Lamb’s dazzling debut collection of poetry, featuring fifty luminous poems, each written in exactly fifty words, fully-illustrated throughout by much-loved former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell.

With subjects ranging from family, identity, and growing up, to the need for hope, the wonder of nature, and the very concept of poetry itself, Simon offers his poems as small nuggets of wisdom, warmth and wit to help readers of all ages navigate their lives.

Complementing the always-present three-dimensional sense of drama and interaction with the reader, every poem is gifted its own double page spread, each one exquisitely illustrated by Chris Riddell, with his distinctive insight and flair adding new layers of meaning and joy to these already magical poems.

A beautifully-produced hardback gift edition with textured cover, de-bossing and thick paper, this is a book to read, to keep, to love.

A classic and a favourite in our house – I loved it even before I had children. With a limited colour palette, Duviosin’s illustrations are stylish and expressive. This tale follows a Happy Lion in France who, after escaping the small zoo where he lives, is surprised that people, who loved visiting him there, are now scared of him.

A celebration of the highs and lows of having a much loved but differently abled brother or sister. This appealing brother and sister duo spend a lot of their day together, eating meals, going to school and playing. But life with an autistic sibling is not always easy. Through the eyes of the brother, we find out how they are both very different, but also very similar in other ways, and come what may they have lots of fun together and love each other just the same. This is a touching book that will strike a chord with every family with siblings, especially where one is differently abled. Short listed for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

The autistic sister in this sibling pair is non verbal, but she finds plenty of ways to communicate and have fun with her brother. Although she can’t talk, this little girl understands everything, and has plenty to say, and lots of ideas. Through body language, drawing pictures, making gestures or using flash cards, she is able to contribute to their life together. Her brother and granny are able to understand her whether she needs help or is helping them!

An everyday battle of wills between a mother and child where everyone ends up a winner!

Rabbit is happy doing his own thing, and he doesn’t want to listen to his mum telling him to get up, get dressed, have breakfast, play outside, come inside and least of all… have a bath! NO, NO, NO! he says. But at last they hit on something they both love doing together.

Perfectly pitched and re-assuring for parents whose child is being contrary, and interactive as children will love to join in with all Rabbit’s ‘Nos’ and will want to read the book again and again.

Shortlisted for the Booktrust Storytime Prize.

Picturebook

Abigail has ADHD and can’t concentrate, but one teacher knows just how to get her engaged.

Abigail is frustrated. She can’t focus on writing and fools around instead. She is sent to the cooling down room. After that is music class, and she can’t make any of the instruments work! Just when things are about to go wrong again, the teacher discovers exactly what to do to engage this little girl, and Abigail ends up finding a special voice of her very own.

A brilliantly witty book that also gives pause for thought, with a story about overcoming preconceptions and breaking through barriers and divisions between different groups. Jon Agee cleverly uses the ‘gutter’ space that runs down the middle of the picture book spread as the wall between the two opposing sides. The main character is surprised to find that the other side of the wall is a much friendlier place than he imagined. A good stimulus for discussions about overcoming divisions in society. It could lead schools into a fun story-making project inviting pupils to make their own books that use the gutter space.

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