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David Dean graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1999 with a BA in Illustration. He has illustrated multiple award-winning books and is known for his lively and colourful work, with a strong focus on mood and drama.
He has won acclaim for his beautiful covers for the reissued Michael Morpurgo books, which have been exhibited in the V&A Museum of Childhood in London.
Holly Webb is one of our best-loved writers and no wonder. Her books mix adventure, family, friends and animals, are perfectly pitched for their audience and always rewarding reading. This story is set on the river Thames where Lissa is spending the summer holidays with her dad on his new houseboat. All starts well and she’s enjoying life onboard until her dad gets caught up in a new project at work. Feeling lonely and neglected she spots a young seal, apparently lost and in danger. Lissa is determined to help but in fact Pup, as she names the seal, proves just as much a rescuer. With its riverbank setting this is perfect summer reading, but, full of drama and deftly described emotions not to mention the tension of Pup’s predicament, will be satisfying at any time of year.
Book Band: Dark Blue (Ideal for ages 9+) | What a lovely and beautifully written book. This is the story of a little boy called Hari who lives with his parents and sister on Bamba Beach in Goa. He is an intelligent boy with a big heart and a mature understanding of the world. From the first few pages the images are full and lively, and you are drawn into life in the village. There is beautiful detail in the setting. The author describes not just fish in the sea and the evening’s insects, but all their names and habits. In amongst all this description are some important topical messages. The family are poor, not just because of economy, but because the tsunami has pushed the fish further out to sea, away from Hari’s father’s reach in his small wooden boat. Only those with motorboats now have a chance of making money. The story tells of Hari’s attempts to make money for his family and in doing so creates his own tidal waves of events. Alongside his money-making schemes is the animosity between the neighbouring families, amusingly referred to as the ‘them over there’ and the ‘next doors’. Hari through his kindness and helpfulness and with his awareness of the people around him, wins over the ‘next doors’ and the outcome is the climax of the story. There are many themes running throughout this book, the misunderstanding of dyslexia, poverty and its various effects and jealousy towards those more successful than others. It is a heart-warming story, with the power of goodness and kindness winning through. The cover page by David Dean is fun and eye-catching, but the more traditional block plate illustrations at the start of each chapter are more traditional and quite beautiful. The reading zone questions and activities are thought provoking and would provide a lot to talk and write about.
Amazing True-Life Tales; Astounding Wildlife Facts | A mix of inspiring true stories and fascinating facts and information, all presented across bright, colourful pages with striking, atmospheric illustrations, this is a terrific book for anyone who loves animals. Amongst the animal heroes whose stories we hear are Balto, a sledge dog who helped deliver live-saving medicine in the Alaska winter; Wojtek, the bear who became a favourite with Polish soldiers in World War 2; and Machli, a tiger who fought with an enormous crocodile to save her cubs. There are lots more too, animals who were never given names but whose actions demonstrate incredible intelligence and resilience. As Jess French says in her introduction, there’s always something new to learn about animals, and this book proves that time and time again.
Innovative and inclusive, The Barefoot Book of Children empowers young readers to learn about the different lives of children around the globe. Whilst being gently encouraged to ponder their own place in the world - the sights and sounds, the place they live - this beautifully illustrated book takes them on a journey to other children throughout the world inviting comparisons and further thoughts about differences. This is a wonderful celebration of all the things that make us unique and different, yet expresses how each individual is just the same in their hopes, fears and dreams and the fact that they all have a story to share. This is a very important book to share with children and perfect for raising a gentle discussion about diversity. ~ Shelley Fallows A Piece of Passion from the Publisher: You’re a part of the world, and a world all your own. That’s the one fact that The Barefoot Book of Children co-author Kate DePalma wants to pass on to her young daughter ? and the idea that sparked Children. Co-authors DePalma and Tessa Strickland penned the book’s simple, poetic text over the course of a few spring days in Oxford. To ensure that the text and illustrations would be as sensitive as possible, the co-authors then consulted with an entire team of specialists, including a child development expert and the diversity specialists at Inclusive Minds. They were also delighted to commission David Dean, the illustrator of the bestselling Barefoot Books World Atlas, knowing that he’d do the meticulous research the project required. The result - DePalma and Strickland’s beautiful book will pass on incredible wisdom to children everywhere - children who, one day, may build a better, kinder world. To order direct through Barefoot Books please click here.
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Interest Age 5-8 They always say a man's best friend is his dog and in this beautiful, heartwarming story set in Africa about a young boy and his yearning for a pet dog. When Timo brings home an injured dog he cares for it as if his life depends on it and eventually he persuades his mother that he can keep it. Animal stories are always realy favourites' for kids but this one will stick long in the memory of those who read it. It's written by the international bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith who is probably best known for his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
This is a visually stunning Atlas - more so than any we've seen before. Kids will embark on a mind-expanding journey across the planet with pull-out maps, fact-filled booklets and fold-outs on most pages. It's a book that can be viewed and read on a number of different levels to suit different ages of child and has a strong sense of purpose in that it focuses on the ideas and initiatives that might possibly help to create a sustainable future. Very much an atlas for children for the twenty-first century, it also has a fully integrated iPad App specially engineered to take advantage of the stunning new Retina display and quad-core graphics on an iPad. It is the Barefoot World Atlas - Touch Press" available from the App Store. The TV presenter and Earth enthusiast Nick Crane is the guide whilst artist David Dean is the creator of the incredibly detailed and colourful maps.
The 400+ reusable stickers in this oversized, 32-page collection guide children on a fact-packed journey around the world, teaching them about each region's people, plants, animals and landmarks. This engaging companion to the celebrated Barefoot Books World Atlas includes a labeled, pull-out world map poster by award-winning artist David Dean.
Innovative and inclusive, Children of the World empowers young readers to learn about children around the globe and ponder their own place in it. Created with the guidance of diversity specialists, this groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction addresses the need for children's books that depict diversity, while simultaneously demonstrating the interconnectedness and uniqueness of all people.
Sharpen your memory skills and discover some of the world's greatest cities and buildings.
From Cornwall to the Caribbean, 11-year-old ace detective Laura Marlin comes face to face with pirates, sharks, criminal masterminds and an erupting volcano in her second mystery adventure, which follows the Blue Peter award-winning first book Dead Man's Cove. Dramatic escapes, an erupting volcano and a race against time to stop the deadly undercover 'Marine Concern' make Laura's second adventure every bit as exciting as the first.
Overall winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2011 and winner of the Favourite Story Category. - A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection - Shortlisted for the Galaxy Children's Book of the Year Award 2011. From the author of the much-loved White Giraffe series comes an exciting four-part adventure series featuring Laura Marlin, an 11 year old ace detective. As with Lauren’s earlier animal series, this is brilliantly written with its terrific prose and atmospheric descriptions of the Cornish coast and is a real page-turner too. Laura longs to be adopted and eventually her wish seems to come true and she moves to Cornwall – to Dead Man’s Cove - to live with her uncle. Her new life however, seems to be full of secrets and as the mysteries pile up she finds she must put her keen detective mind to full use. Accompanied by Skye, a three-legged husky she sets out on an adventure to uncover the mysteries – including a message in a bottle - of Dead Man’s Cove. *Here is a list of all the Blue Peter Book Award 2011 shortlisted books: Best Book with Facts: Do Igloos Have Loos? - Mitchell Symons How the World Works - Christiane Dorion What You Need To Know Now: The World in Facts, Stats, and Graphics - Joe Fullman, Ian Graham, Sally Regan and Isabel Thomas Most Fun Story with Pictures: Alienography - Chris Riddell Mr Gum and the Cherry Tree - Andy Stanton Lunatics and Luck (The Raven Mysteries) - Marcus Sedgwick Favourite Stories: Dead Man's Cove (A Laura Marlin Mystery) - Lauren St John A Web of Air (Mortal Engines) - Philip Reeve Tall Story - Candy Gourlay
A thrilling and enchanting story about animal survival, this sequel to The White Giraffe and Dolphin Song tells how Martine must use her magical powers with animals to save Kahn, The Last Leopard. Martine’s summer holiday plans had already been made when suddenly she and her friend Ben are taken off to a wilderness in Zimbabwe. Caught up in a terrifying plot, the two children need all their bush knowledge and skills to survive and, above all, to save the mighty Kahn. The Lovereading comment: Rich with the scents, sounds and intoxicating magic of Africa, join Martine, an English orphan and her greatest friend and ally, the white giraffe as they uncover a plot in which the fate of a magnificent leopard and the lost treasure of an African King is at stake. Their friendship faces its greatest test as they race against time to save the leopard as well as themselves. Lauren’s previous novels set in Africa include Dolphin Song and The White Giraffe.
Lauren St John’s much-loved and critically acclaimed debut novel The White Giraffe came out in 2006 and Dolphin Song is his second African adventure. It’s a beautifully told story that screams out the sights and the sounds of Africa but it also has a mystery element to it that enriches the whole reading experience. The author travelled to Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago where the story is set and is home to hundreds of wild dolphins and a true African paradise. Lauren says, ‘The sand is so clean that it squeaks when you walk, the water is aquamarine, and the islanders are extremely proud that their islands are friendly and free of crime.’
Lauren St John’s much-loved and critically acclaimed debut novel The White Giraffe came out in 2006 and Dolphin Song is his second African adventure. Appropriately too, 2007 is the year of the dolphin. Martine has settled into her African way of life and she and her friends go off on a school trip to Mozambique, but disaster befalls them when they fall into shark-infested waters and are left fighting for their lives until some dolphins guide them to an uninhabited island. Only then does Martine realise the dangerous situation the dolphins are in and her courage and bush craft skills are tested to the limit in her bid to save them and to get her and her friends back home, to her beloved giraffe, Jemmy. It’s a beautifully told story that screams out the sights and the sounds of Africa. The author travelled to Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago where the story is set and is home to hundreds of wild dolphins and a true African paradise. Lauren says, ‘The sand is so clean that it squeaks when you walk, the water is aquamarine, and the islanders are extremely proud that their islands are friendly and free of crime.’
The White Giraffe is Lauren St John’s stunning debut novel about a young English orphan, Martine, sent to live on a South African game reserve with a grandmother she never knew existed. Rich with the scents, sounds and intoxicating magic of Africa, it follows the magical story of 11 year old Martine as she meets her soulmate, a young white giraffe named Jemmy. When Martine's parents are killed, she is sent to live in Africa with her grandmother who seems to be hiding something from her....A wonderful adventure ensues. We have a pre-pub extract of the sequel Dolphin Song, which is equally atmospheric of time and place. This book is also available as an audio CD - click here to find out more
When she is eleven years old, Martine is orphaned and sent to live with her grandmother on a game reserve in South Africa. Her grandmother seems strangely unwelcoming and Martine has a difficult time settling in at her new school, where she is conspicuously an outsider. But she has an ally in Tendai - one of the keepers on the reserve, from whom she learns the lore and survival techniques of the bush, and in Grace - who instantly senses there is something special about Martine. There are secrets about Sawubona (the reserve) just waiting to be revealed, and rumours too about a fabled white giraffe - a trophy for hunters everywhere. One night Martine, lonely and feeling slightly rebellious too, looks out of her window and see a young albino giraffe - silver, tinged with cinnamon in the moonlight. This is the beginning of her mysterious and magical adventures - her discovery of her gift of healing and a secret valley that she travels to with the giraffe, where she'll find clues about her past and future. Above all it's is a heart-warming story, full of charm and atmosphere, and Martine's sheer delight in her giraffe friend and the fantastic landscape which is theirs to explore.
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