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Sean Taylor has written more than 40 books for young readers. These include the Purple Class series of comic adventures set in an urban primary school, a collection of folktales from the Amazon called The Great Snake, a novel for teenagers called A Waste of Good Paper, and picture books such as The World Champion of Staying Awake, illustrated by Jimmy Liao and Boing!, illustrated by Bruce Ingman. He lives in Bristol with his wife and two sons. Visit Sean at www.seantaylorstories.com
The Little Monster thinks he's brave but we're not so sure! Little Monster really wants to be in a scary story but he won't listen to the narrator who thinks a funny story might be better... But the dark and scary forest is just too dark and scary. And the creepy witch is just too creepy. And the ghost? Oh jeepers creepers! Jean Julliene's illustrations jump off the page; the Little Monster pulls the most wonderfully expressive faces. A cute, funny and just a little bit scary, picture book perfect for Halloween fun.
When Iggy and Martina go to bed everything is the same as usual. But in the night comes the snow and the world is transformed. First they make a snowman, though he looks more like a snowbear; anyway, ‘he looks happy to be made’ says Martina, and it’s true. When the two children sledge down the hill – against their mum’s instructions – they run into real danger, until the snowbear arrives to save them. Iggy, Martina and the snowbear are hugely appealing characters and this funny, exciting picture book has a real sense of magic. It’s beautiful to look at and will stand repeated reading. ~ Andrea Reece
The stellar duo behind Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise reunites to create a book that will have children (and their parents!) roaring with laughter once again.From the team behind the acclaimed Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise comes a very scary read-aloud story ... or is it?
April 2016 Book of the Month The characters may be bears, but the parent/child relationship depicted in this lovely picture book will be familiar to all readers. It’s hot so a little bear suggests to his dad that they should go to the river to cool down and dad agrees. Little Bear is determined to lead the way and show his dad just how brave and clever he is but, as all parents know, this kind of excitement leads to accidents. Sure enough, Little Bear slips but with Dad’s help they reach the river in the end and have a lovely time. The text perfectly catches some of those special interactions between parent and child, and illustrator Emily Hughes makes the bears particularly endearing. ~ Andrea Reece
Children will totally identify with Choochie Pooh. Little he might be, but he’s still irritated and frustrated when his owner won’t treat him like an ordinary dog. It’s a series of daily humiliations: he’s called silly names, fed embarrassing mini-treats and kissed in public! When he goes to the park, a mini-puppy-treat-eating-Choochie-Pooh in a handbag, he’s sure the other dogs won’t play with him, but he’s wrong! This funny picture book with its little dogs’ eye-view of the world will be much enjoyed by anyone used to being the smallest in the room, and might give bigger people something to think about too. Kate Hindley brings Choochie Pooh and friends to gloriously boisterous life in her vivid, detailed illustrations. ~ Andrea Reece
Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, August 2015 Brilliantly conceived, this hugely attractive picture book is also a sophisticated ‘chose your own adventure’. Floyd wants to go exploring down the valley behind the house where he lives. But his mum and his sister Ruby tell him that if he does he will SO scared that he ‘MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO SLEEP EVER AGAIN’. From that moment on, readers have to make a number of choices about just how brave they are! Whatever choice you make there is lots of excitement along the way in this witty adventure that makes reading words and pictures equally important. ~ Julia Eccleshare
April 2016 Book of the Month The characters may be bears, but the parent/child relationship depicted in this lovely picture book will be familiar to all readers. It’s hot so a little bear suggests to his dad that they should go to the river to cool down and dad agrees. Little Bear is determined to lead the way and show his dad just how brave and clever he is but, as all parents know, this kind of excitement leads to accidents. Sure enough, Little Bear slips but with Dad’s help they reach the river in the end and have a lovely time. The text perfectly catches some of those special interactions between parent and child, and illustrator Emily Hughes makes the bears particularly endearing. ~ Andrea Reece
Sean Taylor’s deliciously daft story of incompetent but lovable rat burglars is matched brilliantly by Hannah Shaw’s witty illustrations to make this picture book adventure very entertaining indeed. Daddypops dreams of carrying out a daring cheese shop break in, despite his children’s misgivngs. They’ve already tried before – and failed, spectacularly so! But he won’t give up and decides they’ll tunnel their way in. Words and pictures are full of jokes and the surprise ending will have everyone laughing! ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Shortlisted for the Laugh-Out-Loud Book Awards 2016 -Picture Book Category Hoot Owl flies through the midnight air quick as a shooting star, wingtip pointing like some kind of avian superhero. When he spots a tasty rabbit he prepares to gobble it up by slipping into disguise as - a carrot! Surprise, surprise, it doesn’t work and the rabbit hops away. Still hungry, Hoot Owl tries some more clever disguises – first attempting fluffy sheep, then ornamental birdbath! At last, ‘eyes glittering like sardines’, he manages to successfully sneak up on a pizza and eats it with his ‘deadly-dangerous beak’. Whether peeking out at his would-be victims, or swooping sideways through the shadows Hoot Owl cuts a very comic figure, and his extravagant similes are hilarious. He’ll have children and adults alike laughing out loud. ~ Andrea Reece
Children will totally identify with Choochie Pooh. Little he might be, but he’s still irritated and frustrated when his owner won’t treat him like an ordinary dog. It’s a series of daily humiliations: he’s called silly names, fed embarrassing mini-treats and kissed in public! When he goes to the park, a mini-puppy-treat-eating-Choochie-Pooh in a handbag, he’s sure the other dogs won’t play with him, but he’s wrong! This funny picture book with its little dogs’ eye-view of the world will be much enjoyed by anyone used to being the smallest in the room, and might give bigger people something to think about too. Kate Hindley brings Choochie Pooh and friends to gloriously boisterous life in her vivid, detailed illustrations. ~ Andrea Reece
Sean Taylor’s deliciously daft story of incompetent but lovable rat burglars is matched brilliantly by Hannah Shaw’s witty illustrations to make this picture book adventure very entertaining indeed. Daddypops dreams of carrying out a daring cheese shop break in, despite his children’s misgivngs. They’ve already tried before – and failed, spectacularly so! But he won’t give up and decides they’ll tunnel their way in. Words and pictures are full of jokes and the surprise ending will have everyone laughing! ~ Andrea Reece
Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month, July 2015 Brilliantly conceived, this hugely attractive picture book is also a sophisticated ‘chose your own adventure’. Floyd wants to go exploring down the valley behind the house where he lives. But his mum and his sister Ruby tell him that if he does he will SO scared that he ‘MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO SLEEP EVER AGAIN’. From that moment on, readers have to make a number of choices about just how brave they are! Whatever choice you make there is lots of excitement along the way in this witty adventure that makes reading words and pictures equally important. ~ Julia Eccleshare
For anyone wondering what to do should a hippopotamus come to visit, there’s lots of useful advice in this book. For example, if he wants to play a game, you should choose something splishy, sploshy and splashy, because that’s what makes a hippopotamus happy! The format – instruction followed by substantiation – is very satisfying and the half rhymes make the text fun to read aloud. The contrast between the little girl and her enormous guest will have children giggling. Watch out too for the frog who pops up on each page to offer an added, silent commentary on the action. ~ Andrea Reece A Piece of Passion from Publisher, Janetta Otter-Barry I love the way the enormous, happy hippo ambles into the small child’s home and shares his day. I think this picture book is a winning mix of fantasy with a real toddler’s day. My favourite bit is where the hippo springs his final surprise. He is coming back again soon – and all his animal friends are coming too. Great fun, and a lovely, satisfying bedtime read-aloud.
Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month, June 2015 Can’t dance? Ever felt you are just not one of the cool team? Then you’ll love Alfredo! Marty tells Alfredo the frog that the world is groovy, that the world is dancing and that anyone can do. Alfredo learns how to do the cool boogie style and the speedy heebie-jeebies but just when he’s got the groovy moves straight he starts to JUMP! Alfredo is just SO embarrassed but soon everyone is copying Alfredo’s moves. A great story about how an outsider becomes an unexpected star. ~ Julia Eccleshare .......................................................... Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for June 2015 It's a Groovy World, Alfredo by Sean Taylor The Little Bookshop and the Origami Army by Michael Foreman Whistling in the Dark by Shirley Hughes The King's Shadow by Philip Womack
One of our Books of the Year 2015 - March 15 Book of the Month Hoot Owl flies through the midnight air quick as a shooting star, wingtip pointing like some kind of avian superhero. When he spots a tasty rabbit he prepares to gobble it up by slipping into disguise as - a carrot! Surprise, surprise, it doesn’t work and the rabbit hops away. Still hungry, Hoot Owl tries some more clever disguises – first attempting fluffy sheep, then ornamental birdbath! At last, ‘eyes glittering like sardines’, he manages to successfully sneak up on a pizza and eats it with his ‘deadly-dangerous beak’. Whether peeking out at his would-be victims, or swooping sideways through the shadows Hoot Owl cuts a very comic figure, and his extravagant similes are hilarious. He’ll have children and adults alike laughing out loud. ~ Andrea Reece
Winner of the Scottish Book Awards 2015, 3-7 age category A brilliant bedtime romp! When Mum and Dad hand over the babysitting to a bunch of robots they have no idea just how much chaos will follow. All starts well with Cook-Bot and Clean-Bot doing their jobs brilliantly but then everything begins to go very, very wrong! A glorious story and illustrations from this award winning duo.
How to give a Hippopotamus a good time when he comes to visit provides a good model for how to treat friends of any kind. A hippo is not an easy friend to accommodate so the little girl has to be at her most thoughtful as she entertains him – despite his difficult habits! Luckily, the hippo is such a good friend that it makes everything very worth while. A Piece of Passion from Publisher, Janetta Otter-Barry I love the way the enormous, happy hippo ambles into the small child’s home and shares his day. I think this picture book is a winning mix of fantasy with a real toddler’s day. My favourite bit is where the hippo springs his final surprise. He is coming back again soon – and all his animal friends are coming too. Great fun, and a lovely, satisfying bedtime read-aloud.
A sophisticated story with an important message lies at the heart of this deliciously entertaining book. The animals on Mr Tanner’s farm are in revolt against their farmer’s disgusting behaviour; he pollutes the water, cuts down the trees, and makes the animals live in a crumbling barn. Luckily, they come up with what seems like a very clever plan…When things go wrong, all looks hopeless until Mr Tanner himself does a very stupid thing. Soon he is up, up and away and the animals can live happily ever after!
A tale of pride coming before a fall from an award-winning author and a rising star of picture-book illustration. Created in consultation with literacy specialist, Prue Goodwin, this edition contains the complete story from the original picture book but re-designed to help support children who are gaining confidence in reading and to bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books but whilst retaining simple language with lots of illustrations.
A brilliant read-aloud book for young readers who enjoy picture books but want more text on the page, from the creators of Crocodiles Are the Best Animals of All, which was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009 and is also now available in this Time to Read format. A lively story with wonderfully comic and colourful illustrations on every page. Perfect for children just gaining confidence in reading.
A lovely story of animals versus humans told in words and wonderfully colourful pictures on every page. These Time to Read titles are perfect as a bridge between picture books and chapter books. Created in consultation with literacy specialist, Prue Goodwin, this edition contains the complete story, re-designed to help support children who are gaining confidence in reading.
Prepared to be scared – in the most delightful way – in this witty story about some rather dodgy neighbours. Visiting her Auntie Iris, a young chinchilla is alarmed by the neighbours. With families of bears, crocodiles and wolves living below, is Auntie Iris’s home really safe? Things can only get worse when the new neighbours move in… Young readers will love the frisson of terror and the final outcome! Created in consultation with literacy specialist, Prue Goodwin, this is a brand new early reader paperback making use of the story and the illustrations from the original picture book but reformated into small paperback format with more pages. Perfect for children who are gaining confidence in their reading and want something to bridge the gap between large format picture books and chapter books. There are wonderfully comic illustrations throughout to help the reader understand and follow the story.
Winner of the Scottish Book Awards 2015, 3-7 age category A brilliant bedtime romp! When Mum and Dad hand over the babysitting to a bunch of robots they have no idea just how much chaos will follow. All starts well with Cook-Bot and Clean-Bot doing their jobs brilliantly but then everything begins to go very, very wrong! A glorious story and illustrations from this award winning duo.
A sophisticated story with an important message lies at the heart of this deliciously entertaining book. The animals on Mr Tanner’s farm are in revolt against their farmer’s disgusting behaviour; he pollutes the water, cuts down the trees, and makes the animals live in a crumbling barn. Luckily, they come up with what seems like a very clever plan…When things go wrong, all looks hopeless until Mr Tanner himself does a very stupid thing. Soon he is up, up and away and the animals can live happily ever after!
A moving, first person story that captures the frustrations and pent-up fury of a boy with a lot of problems. Jason has been told to write something in his new journal everyday. The trouble is there is nothing he wants to write about. Gradually, Jason begins to put everything down on paper and in doing so he tells the sad story of his own complex emotional state and the reasons for it. Jason’s journal portrays a journey from despair to hope for a better life ahead.
Prepared to be scared – in the most delightful way – in this witty story about some rather dodgy neighbours. Visiting her Auntie Iris, a young chinchilla is alarmed by the neighbours. With families of bears, crocodiles and wolves living below, is Auntie Iris’s home really safe? Things can only get worse when the new neighbours move in… Young readers will love the frisson of terror and the final outcome! Click here for more wonderful picture books by Sean Taylor, plus his new novel for older children/teens.
A fresh take on bedtime … Stella can’t possible go to bed, she has far too many toys to settle first. Cherry Pig, Beanbag Frog and Thunderbolt, the puppet mouse, all need to be got to sleep. Stella comes up with everything she can think of but, how ever inventive she is, getting her charges to sleep is no easy task. Glorious illustrations capture the wonderful invention of the story.
Clever rabbit has almost been eaten alive by the Grizzly Bear when he thinks of an outrageous trick he can play to save his own skill. A thrilling building story unfolds entertainingly in this robust retelling of a traditional tale. Hannah Shaw’s illustrations point up the absurdity of the situation.
Shortlisted for Roald Dahl's Funny Prize 2009. This is a real romp of a read with bright humorous illustrations accompanying a rich, rhyming text that children will enjoy reading alone and with their parents, time and time again. Crocodile demonstrates to all the watching animals that he can do everything better than anyone else, until that is, stubborn Donkey says he knows of something that Crocodile cannot do but that he can do best of all!
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Book Prize 2009 Four completely crazy, off the wall crazy, stories about the funniest class ever. Crammed full of zany and exuberant characters and the mishaps and mayhem that ensue. But spare a thought for poor Mr Wellington, their long-suffering teacher. Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2009 and well deserved too. Go to prizewinners to see some of the others.
Shortlisted for Roald Dahl's Funny Prize 2009. This is a real romp of a read with bright humorous illustrations accompanying a rich, rhyming text that children will enjoy reading alone and with their parents, time and time again. Crocodile demonstrates to all the watching animals that he can do everything better than anyone else, until that is, stubborn Donkey says he knows of something that Crocodile cannot do but that he can do best of all!
Multiple Award Winning picture book. In this great book for storytime comes a very silly, funny and lovable monster. The story follows all the possibilities for interesting adventures when a monster is born with some extremely colourful illustrations.
Dog really tries his best to be a Good Dog! for his owner, Melvin. But unfortunately it's just not that easy. First there's the case of the missing extra-delicious-smelling pizza slice - but that's really nothing to do with him. Then there's giant surprise SNIFFLE SNUGGLES when Melvin is lying down asleep. Then there's the smashed lamp... and the wee-wee on the floor... But it really is SO DIFFICULT to be a Good Dog. Will Dog ever succeed? Find out in this hilarious, heartwarming story of one lovably clueless dog and his owner. From the team that brought you My Mum Always Looks After Me So Much.
King Mercurio wanted to be a great king, like his father - but he had no idea where to start. Until one day an architect visited him. He decides to build a great palace, much bigger than King Constantin's palace, with a dome, a tower and even a flagpole on top. The architect insists with each new addition that the palace is no longer safe, but will the king ever listen? Highly engaging, illustrated picture book to be read out loud to children aged 6-7 Helps expose your child to rich language and curriculum-linked vocabulary Includes key terms from Art and the topic area of architecture Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools 'These books are a great start to addressing the wider curriculum and the vocabulary issues that schools are identifying.' - Assistant Head, Primary Academy The Bug Club Shared books are highly engaging, beautifully illustrated stories designed to be read out loud to children. The programme exposes children to rich, curriculum-linked vocabulary, helping to build an understanding across school subjects and cultivate a love for reading.
Dog really tries his best to be a Good Dog! for his owner, Melvin. But unfortunately it's just not that easy. First there's the case of the missing extra-delicious-smelling pizza slice - but that's really nothing to do with him. Then there's giant surprise SNIFFLE SNUGGLES when Melvin is lying down asleep. Then there's the smashed lamp... and the wee-wee on the floor... But it really is SO DIFFICULT to be a Good Dog. Will Dog ever succeed? Find out in this hilarious, heartwarming story of one lovably clueless dog and his owner. From the team that brought you My Mum Always Looks After Me So Much.
This heart-warming picture book follows the story of Little Gorilla and his mum who spends her time looking after her little one so much. A beautiful tale for parents and their children everywhere to snuggle up to and enjoy together. Little Gorilla is going to the doctor for an injection. His mum says it's because she has to look after him. But that's the problem - his mum always looks after him so much. First she makes him eat broccoli, then whenever he sneezes he has to put on an extra sweater. And now an injection! But it's not all bad - the doctor gives Little Gorilla a stick-thing that smells of strawberries for being brave. He loves it - but then he leaves it on the bus on the way home! Little Gorilla is distraught - but his mum takes him back to the doctor for another stick thing. His mum really does look after him so much. This is gentle story is sure to be a firm favourite for children and parents everywhere.
Why has a reclusive poet from the first-century Roman countryside exerted such compelling influence over two thousand years, over poets as diverse as Jonson, Keats, and Auden? Most widely known for his crisp enjoinder carpe diem - generally translated as seize the day - Horace was no mere hedonist. His lyric celebration of the simple joys of life, such as erotic pursuit, friendship, and good wine, are grounded in an almost zen-like mindfulness. His Epicureanism finds its balance in a recognition of the transitory nature of the world and its suffering, and a rather cool detachment. Taylor has given us an account of the 'Odes' of Horace that is not a simple translation. He uses the 'Odes' as a point of departure for a collection of poems that, while modelled on Horace's originals, are carried over into the modern world, and take for their landscape Taylor's own territory of Southern California and the Pacific Northwest.
In this cozy bedtime story, follow a child and his grandma through a winter landscape to explore how the Earth goes to sleep for winter. Spot the sleeping animals as the tale unfolds, then learn about their hibernation habits from the information pages at the end. Co-authors Sean Taylor (picture book author) and Alex Morss (ecologist, journalist, and educator) offer a gentle introduction to the concept of hibernation. In the frosty, quiet forest, the snow blankets the ground and the trees have shed their leaves. Where have all the animals gone? Are they asleep too? In each cutaway scene, see what the child cannot - that underground below his feet are dens with sleeping creatures, and within the hollow trunks of trees, animals are nesting. After the story, annotated illustrations explain the hibernation facts for each animal and what they will do when they wake up for spring. Cozy up as you expand you and your child's knowledge of the natural world.
Steve Walker was a professional comedy magician and MC. He was born in Yorkshire but lived most of his adult life in Sydney, Australia. After Steve's death, his fellow magicians helped to sell his estate and discovered a small note book. From 1953 until 1963, a young Steve had written down over 700 jokes, gags, one liners and wise cracks from TV and radio. What we have here then is not only a valuable source of funnies, but a unique peep into British Variety in the 1950s. Steve's friend and colleague Sean Taylor has not only deciphered the jokes, but adds his own impressions of Steve, some funny stories and even a complete transcript of his 45 minute magic act. Remarkably, the jokes were old when Steve heard them and yet, 70 years on, they are still remarkably fresh and familiar. So whether you are a magician, ventriloquist, Variety enthusiast or MC, or you just want to spice up a speech or presentation, this might just be the book for you.
When Humperdink the baby elephant joins the children's playgroup, he seems friendly enough, but it soon becomes clear that he's not very good at the usual games the children play, like dressing up or hide-and-seek. When he breaks the children's favourite slide, everyone feels sad. But with a little patience and understanding the children soon discover that Humperdink is good at some things - especially if they use their imaginations - leading to a riotously fun conclusion. A delightful picture book with endearing artwork and a humorous story to engage young readers and help them gain an understanding about those different from themselves. This title helps children learn the key skill of playing with and accepting new friends, whatever their size, shape... or species! Exploring themes of empathy and imaginative play, this title is a must-have for young readers seeking to understand the world around them.
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