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Anne Booth lives in Kent and has always wanted to bea children’s writer, but on the way to becoming one has worked in many jobs. Anne lives in a lovely village with her husband and four children– and the children's grandfather across the road. They have two hens called Poppy and Anastasia and two dogs called Timmy and Ben. Anne loves tea and once won a Blue Peter badge for writing a poem about two mice in a bucket of rice. Despite this, she does not own any mice. Anne’s debut novel Girl with a White Dog was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month January 2021 | Children are experiencing sadness to a far greater degree than is usual but how can they best manage that and how can they describe it? Anne Booth’s gentle text explores how a little boy creates a shelter for his sadness giving it a place where it can take on the many different shapes and moods it may arrive in. Having a safe place where he can engage with the sadness helps the boy to deal with the wide range of moods it may release in him. It also helps him to prepare for a time when he and the sadness may no longer need a shelter but can step out together into a better world. Inspired by the words of Holocaust survivor Etty Hillesum, A Shelter for Sadness is rich in emotion all of which is beautifully realised in David Litchfield’s illustrations. We have more books on this theme in our collection, Books to Explain Death to Children & Help them Grieve.
It’s hard to imagine a Christmas fairy prettier or more charming that little Clara, the chatterbox star of this story. Clara’s dream is to be a proper Christmas fairy on top of the tree, but at fairy school she just can’t help wriggling and giggling, to the despair of her teacher. That makes Clara feel quite downhearted, to the point of wishing she was someone else, until Santa himself arrives to ask Clara a very special favour. It’s a lovely story with a heart-warming and important message; the text is just right for reading aloud; and lots of little girls will recognise themselves in Rosalind Beardshaw’s button-nosed, curly-haired little mischief-maker Clara. ~ Andrea Reece The Editor at Nosy Crow says: “This book absolutely pulls on the heartstrings and is sure to be a magical read in the run-up to Christmas. And with its gentle message about being yourself, it’s a book you’ll be thinking about long after the festive season.”
This beautiful picture book captures the absolute essence of Christmas, retelling the story of the Nativity through the eyes of the donkey, and presenting the Holy Family as refugees relying on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter. The text is gentle and reassuring for the youngest reader, and the illustrations, black and grey wash lit up by bold splashes of yellow, show the family as real people in a difficult and frightening situation. The final spread offers hope, and depicts the family gathered round a table with friends in Egypt, having found shelter. £1 from every sale will go to the charity War Child UK. ~ Andrea Reece Kate at Nosy Crow says: “I was watching the ongoing refugee crisis on the news a few weeks ago and desperately wanted to do something to help. Then Anne sent in her beautiful text. We read it, we cried and we knew we had found what we could do. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who is giving their time and skills for free to help us publish this beautiful book, to do what we can to help.”
There are apparently 700,000 young carers in the UK and this sensitively-told, compassionate story puts them in the spotlight. Anna tries hard at school and at home, where things are not easy. Though it’s not directly said, her mother is suffering post-natal depression after the birth of her little brother, who arrived very prematurely. Dad is abroad with work. Anna confides in Timmy her dog, a narrative device that means the reader knows exactly what’s happening and how much Anna is struggling with things, but without any overbearing sense of earnestness. A sub-plot about a school talent show helps keep the tone light and there’s an upbeat ending. This is both engaging and thought-provoking. ~ Andrea Reece Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, says: ‘Dog Ears provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of the situation young carers up and down the country find themselves in. We hope that young carers themselves who read the book will recognise that they are not alone and that support exists. Being a young carer can have a major emotional impact on somebody’s life. Readers who need support can visit our youngcarer.com website – so we can help them find their local young carer services.’
Shortlisted for the Waterstone's Best Fiction for 5-12's Award 2015 - Shortlisted for the Little Rebels Book Award 2015 A thoughtful and emotionally charged story in which different generations are linked by their common cause of dealing with bullies and hatred. Jessie’s life has been full of changes. She has found it hard to adjust but the one constant has been her Gran. But Gran is getting increasingly confused and suddenly everything in Jessie’s life seems to fall apart. There are bullies in the village, her own cousin seems to have turned against her and she keeps falling out with her very best friend. And there’s Gran’s new dog Snowy to look after and then Gran to visit in hospital. Helping piece together the story of Gran’s childhood while also doing a project on Nazi Germany helps Jessie to be brave and to understand that sometimes people do bad things when under pressure. A Piece of Passion from Catnip Commissioning Editor Liz Bankes ‘Jessie’s voice is entirely authentic as a child on the cusp of realising how the world works. Anne’s passion for her characters and the themes that inspired her to write this book bubbles fiercely under the surface of a beautifully told story - one with the power to move me, and the sales team, to tears. This book will change hearts and minds’.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month January 2021 | Children are experiencing sadness to a far greater degree than is usual but how can they best manage that and how can they describe it? Anne Booth’s gentle text explores how a little boy creates a shelter for his sadness giving it a place where it can take on the many different shapes and moods it may arrive in. Having a safe place where he can engage with the sadness helps the boy to deal with the wide range of moods it may release in him. It also helps him to prepare for a time when he and the sadness may no longer need a shelter but can step out together into a better world. Inspired by the words of Holocaust survivor Etty Hillesum, A Shelter for Sadness is rich in emotion all of which is beautifully realised in David Litchfield’s illustrations. We have more books on this theme in our collection, Books to Explain Death to Children & Help them Grieve.
Featured in The Guardian as one of the best picture books, and in The Sunday Times as children's book of the week. There was once a beautiful flower and a little girl who loved it. She talked to it every morning on her way to school. The owner of the flower shouted at her. The next day, the flower did not open. The angry man didn't understand. He tried watering it. He tried giving it shade and he tried talking to it. He told it how wonderful he was, how important his job was and how lonely he felt. But it still refused to open. So, he asked the little girl. Why don't you tell it how wonderful it is and how much you love it? she said. As he did so, his own heart filled with love. And the flower bloomed.
To the Keeper of this Book - it's time for you to visit the magical kingdom waiting within. Believe in yourself - that will give you wings to fly! When Maya receives a special colouring book - The Magical Kingdom of Birds - she is transported to a beautiful realm filled with magnificent birds and their fairy friends. It's carnival time in the Magical Kingdom of Birds, and the flamingos are getting ready to put on a spectacular show! But evil Lord Astor is determined that no one is allowed to have fun unless he says so. Can Maya and her friends stop his horrible plans to cancel the party? Packed with beautiful illustrations, information on the real birds that inspired the story, and a special page to colour in!
To the Keeper of this Book - it's time for you to visit the magical kingdom waiting within. Believe in yourself - that will give you wings to fly! When Maya receives a special colouring book - The Magical Kingdom of Birds - she is transported to a beautiful realm filled with magnificent birds and their fairy friends. Every year the magnificent silver Snow Goose brings winter to the Magical Kingdom of Birds. But this year something is wrong: why hasn't he arrived? Lord Astor must be up to his tricks again. Can Maya and her friends uncover the mystery behind the missing snow goose, and bring winter to the kingdom? Packed with beautiful illustrations, information on the real birds that inspired the story, and a special page to colour in!
When Boots the puppy bounces into Lucy's life, fun and friendship are never far behind. He's waiting for his forever home, and until he finds one Lucy is determined to give him the best Christmas ever, taking him out and about and giving him all the love he's missed. But they're going to need the help of all the friends they have made when Boots slips his lead and gets lost. Will Boots find a way home? Lucy needs to make a wish. . . This warm and festive story is an ideal present for a child to read during the festive season. Animal-lovers everywhere will delight in Sophy WIlliams's gorgeous illustrations and the simple language and short chapters are perfect for developing readers or to be read aloud. Fans of Anne Booth's previous titles in this series, Lucy's Secret Reindeer, Lucy's Magic Snow Globe, Lucy's Winter Rescue, Lucy's Magical Surprise, and Lucy's Search for Little Star won't be able to resist this latest Lucy story!
To the Keeper of this Book - it's time for you to visit the magical kingdom waiting within. Believe in yourself - that will give you wings to fly! When Maya receives a special colouring book - The Magical Kingdom of Birds - she is transported to a beautiful realm filled with magnificent birds and their fairy friends. In a spectacular tropical glade, Maya can't believe her ears: she's attending a songbird concert in the Magical Kingdom of Birds! But all is not as it seems - Lord Astor is stealing the birds' beautiful voices to keep for himself. Will Maya and her friends be able to return the music to the kingdom. . . ? Packed with beautiful illustrations, information on the real birds that inspired the story, and a special page to colour in!
To the Keeper of this Book - it's time for you to visit the magical Kingdom waiting within. Believe in yourself - that will give you wings to fly! When Maya receives a special colouring book - The Magical Kingdom of Birds - she is transported to a beautiful realm filled with magnificent birds and their fairy friends. Spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming, and Maya is excited to meet the tiny fairy-wrens in the Magical Kingdom of Birds. But something's wrong: half of the birds have gone missing. Can this be another of Lord Astor's despicable plans? And can Maya and her friends stop him before it's too late? Packed with beautiful illustrations, information on the real birds that inspired the story, and a special page to colour in!
Lucy's snow globe has a little forest and house inside, and sometimes, when Lucy makes a wish and shakes the globe, magical things can happen . . . Curl up with this collection of three wonderful stories - where Lucy rescues a very special little reindeer, helps a bunny find a home, and saves a baby otter. This collection of warm and traditional festive stories is an ideal Christmas present for any child who loves animals. Beautifully illustrated throughout by Sophy Williams, illustrator of Holly Webb's animal stories, the simple language and short chapters make it perfect for young readers who are starting to read independently. Featuring Lucy's Secret Reindeer, Lucy's Magic Snow Globe, and Lucy's Winter Rescue, this lovely collection will make a magical addition to any bookshelf.
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