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Topic: PSHE, Citizenship & Emotional Literacy

Picturebook

Sometimes we are loud, sometimes we are quiet, sometimes bold and clanky, sometimes soft and cuddly. Sophy Henn celebrates all the different, extraordinary and sometimes contradictory things we are in this joyful and colourful rhyming picture book. Perfect to read aloud – and then read again, and again!

Non-fictionPicturebook

What are germs? How do they spread? And how do medicines help? Curious young children can take a closer look at those mischievous, microscopic bacteria and viruses in this fascinating introduction to germs and hygiene, with 30 flaps to lift and tips on hand-washing and staying healthy. Written with advice from Public Health England.

Picturebook

When a polar bear arrives unexpectedly in the woods, the other animals fear and avoid him, suspecting him to be dangerous – and his odd habit of collecting leaves only adds to their distrust. Then one day, they watch as he attempts to fly over the water with wings made of colourful leaves… trying to get back home. Perhaps he isn’t so different after all?

Picturebook

“Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt, CJ, you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful.”

CJ begins his weekly bus journey around the city with disappointment and dissatisfaction, wondering why he and his family can’t drive a car like his friends. Through energy and encouragement, CJ’s nana helps him see the beauty and fun in their routine.

This beautifully illustrated, emotive picture book explores urban life with honesty, interest and gratitude.

Chapter book

Eleven-year-old Solomon loves to run! The great athletes of the Ethiopian national team are his heroes and he dreams that one day he will be a gold-medal-winning athlete like them, in spite of his ragged shorts and bare feet.

When his grandfather announces that he’s going to take Solomon to Addis Ababa, Solomon cannot believe his ears. A trip to the capital? It’s unfathomable. Solomon’s joy is increased when he realizes that the Ethiopian running team will be doing a victory parade through the city that day. Maybe he’ll get a glimpse of Haile Gebrselassie or Derartu Tulu?!

But Solomon’s grandfather has other plans. As Solomon follows him through the big, overwhelming streets, he learns something he cannot believe. The strict old man is a war hero who once risked his life to save a friend and has been in hiding ever since. When grandfather collapses, Solomon knows that getting help from his village is up to him. It’s a twenty-mile run from the city to home, and grandfather’s life hangs in the balance. Can the small bare-footed runner with the big heart do it?

Picturebook

The #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, celebrating diversity and inclusivity.

No matter how you start your day, What you wear when you play, Or if you come from far away, All are welcome here.

Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcome. A school where children in patkas, hijabs, baseball caps and yarmulkes play side by side. A school where students grow and learn from each other’s traditions. A school where diversity is a strength.

Warm and inspiring, All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, and they are welcome in their school. Engaging lyrical text and bright, accessible illustrations make this book a must for every child’s bookshelf, classroom and library.

Picturebook

A brilliantly witty introduction to comparisons and opposites, illustrated by the winner of the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award.

These children and animals are all very different to each other. Some are big, some are small. Some are gentle, some are rough. Everyone is playful, but who’s the best at hiding? One thing’s certain: they all love a good bedtime story!

Shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Picture Book Award, this is the perfect book for little ones who are just beginning to make sense of their place in the world. Karl Newson has created a simple, funny and heart-warming text, which is perfectly matched by Kate Hindley’s charming, brilliantly witty artwork, filled with detail.

Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free “Stories Aloud” audio recording. Just scan the QR code and listen along!

Related activity sheets available on the Nosy Crow website.

Chapter book

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets: 1. She lives in a motel, not a big house. 2. Her parents hide immigrants. 3. She wants to be a writer.

It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, and go for her dreams?

Perfect for fans of Boy At the Back of the Class and A Kind of Spark.

Chapter book

Nobody wants Tulip in their gang.

She skives off school, cheeks the teachers and makes herself unpopular with her classmates by telling awful lies.

None of this matters to Natalie who finds Tulip exciting.

At first she doesn’t care that other people are upset and unnerved by Tulip’s bizarre games, but as the games become increasingly sinister and dangerous, Natalie realises that Tulip is going too far.

Much too far.

Racing, in fact, to the novel’s shocking ending.

Mental Health Booklist

Browse our booklist of recommended children’s books that open up conversations about mental health in age-appropriate ways. We asked our community of primary teachers, TAs, children’s authors, librarians and book lovers to nominate the best books about mental health for children.

This is what they told us…

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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