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Find out moreSarah Jennings has been illustrating children's books since graduating in 2013. At a young age she discovered a love of drawing and has been scribbling and sketching ever since. Sarah enjoys combining traditional and digital techniques to create her illustrations and particularly loves designing characters. She currently lives in London and works from her home studio in the company of her very cheeky three-legged cat.
August 2020 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month August 2020 | Positive feelings that make you smile; Feelings that can make you cry – these and all the emotions that lie between them are explored in the words and pictures of It’s OK to Cry. Sarah Jennings’s attractive illustrations capture how someone may look while experiencing SAD, HURT, SURPRISED, HOPEFUL and much more while Molly Potter uses a reassuringly matter of fact tone to explain a wide range of the feelings that we all have everyday. An excellent book which can open up good conversations when shared while also being useful for a child to browse through on their own.
Starting conversations with your child about positive mental health | Part of a successful series of books written by the author, who is an experienced specialist in PSHE and SRE education, this provides a child friendly introduction to mental and emotional health and will prove its value within both home and school contexts. The publisher describes the series as ‘helping grown-ups have difficult conversations with little people’ and this is exactly what this book does. The lively and amusing illustrations help to engage the reader and the scenarios provide prompts for discussion and the explanations are perfectly pitched and yet in enough depth to provide many a useful reminder to adults. The opening page even explains the difference between your brain and your mind which is quite a difficult philosophical concept to master! Covering positive self-image, emotional intelligence, relationships and mindfulness with strategies for developing the right sort of mental habits and approaches at an early age can only be a positive help for children. Just giving them the right vocabulary to be able to talk about their feelings is incredibly useful. There is a fascinating section explaining the dangers of rumination – a word I had not considered in this context before- but undue dwelling upon an issue has now been identified as a cause of, for example, OCD or eating disorders. The advice and guidance section for parents and carers at the end of the book is particularly well considered and helpful. With the current situation undoubtedly causing children and families additional anxiety this could not be more useful and relevant. Highly recommended for home and school. You can find more books on this theme in Anxiety & Wellbeing - Helping Young Ones Cope
Book Band: White Ideal for ages 6+ | This new series from Bloomsbury Education is geared at turning children into independent readers. Not only will the books give youngsters a boost into solo reading, they’ll also make it easier and more enjoyable for the adults helping children as they come with useful tips and notes. The books are short and divided into chapters thereby breaking the story into manageable chunks. The adventures are lively and fast-moving though told via short sentences and carefully chosen vocabulary: some words are highlighted in the Tips for Grown Ups section on the inside cover, so that children can learn them and their meanings. Full colour illustrations amplify the action and make the books really attractive to look at too. Written by favourite authors, these are well worth collecting and are just the thing for children ready for reading.
Winner of ITV Lorraine's Top Tales 2016 | In a nutshell: growing vegetables grows confidence and puts nasty Penelope in the shade Katie Smith’s story beat 3000 others in Lorraine’s Top Tales competition on ITV, winning the approval of Lorraine Kelly and Bake Off’s Nadiya Hussain. It’s a lively, heart-warming adventure about a little girl who, with the help of her granddad and her grandma’s secret recipe, grows a really enormous pumpkin for the school project. There are definite hints of Roald Dahl in the story and the telling, and Smith has great fun dreaming up the special ingredients for the magical growing potion – it includes hedgehog poo, baked beans and Irn Bru! – while the relationship between Lottie and her granddad is really nicely described. A fun satisfying story with laughs a-plenty. ~ Andrea Reece A note from the author: On 11 February 2016, in response to a new competition that had launched on ITV’s Lorraine, I wrote the first two chapters of a children’s story. Having taught English for the last nine years, I certainly had lots of experience with writing, but I had never attempted to write a children’s book and I wasn’t even sure I could finish it. I just had a character, an idea and an opening. After I finished the first couple of chapters, I read it to my dad who said, in typical dad style, ‘That’s quite good; I reckon you might stand a chance with that!’ Never in a million years did I think he was right. I entered the competition on a whim; not even letting myself imagine that what I had written would be good enough to be shortlisted. But it was. So, I finished the story, which is based on my niece and goddaughter, Lottie. She is the first child I have ever truly lovedand the kindest little girl that I know. I think stories are one of the best gifts we can give to children. The Pumpkin Project is my gift to Lottie, Nell and William. I hope that, one day, they might read it to their own children and think of me. Lorraine Kelly said, ‘It was really difficult to choose a winner as the standard of writing was so high but all the judges felt that Katie Smith's story, The Pumpkin Project, stood out. It's a fantastic story - really imaginative and I can't wait to see the finished book!’Nadiya Hussain comments, ‘I loved being a judge for this competition. The final three stories blew me away with their imagination! Katie’s writing stood out for us all though and I can’t wait to read the finished book with my children.’
Get into the Spirit of Christmas! As pre-Christmas excitement amongst children begins to mount, this funny picture book will add much to the sum of general happiness and merriment! For the first time ever, Santa has lost his Christmas list. His elves tell him not to worry and bundle him off to bed. When Santa does climb into his sleigh something’s clearly not right: his driving skills are terrible, and no-one seems to be getting the right presents! Children will find the scenes of general chaos very funny, and be happy to see that all is sorted by the end, with Santa comfortably back in control! ~ Andrea Reece
Whether it's what children can do or what they can't do, the way they look or the way they speak, what they like or dislike, teasing can be over just about everything and anything. When someone's teasing, they might say 'I'm only joking!' or 'It's just a bit of fun!'. But teasing can be terribly upsetting and frustrating. As well as suggesting ways for children to deal with being teased, Stop Teasing! examines how easily teasing can turn into meanness and even bullying, and how to tell when the teasing needs to stop. This book suggests what a child can do if they're being teased, it suggests what children can do if they see someone else being teased, and it talks to the child who might be teasing others.
Being scared or afraid is a feeling that everyone has. Sometimes the things that scare children are real; things like spiders and snakes, thunder and lightning. Sometimes the things children get scared about are not real; things like monsters. They're not real but the fear of them is real. Face Your Fears understands how and why children get scared. It helps children learn to manage and overcome their fears. It explains how they can make a plan and take steps towards doing something that scares them until they can do the thing they're afraid of and hardly be scared at all. Face Your Fears gives children solutions that really work. With this book, children can learn how to keep their fears in perspective and feel safe and happier.
Description It's not always easy for a child to know when they're jealous; sometimes they may have felt sad and upset or cross and angry and not know why. But when a child thinks it's not fair that someone else has got something they want or can do something that they can't, or when they envy what someone else has or can do, then they're experiencing jealousy. Jealousy can bring all sorts of difficult feelings and unhelpful behaviour with it. Let Go of Jealousy suggests ways in which a child can learn to recognise and manage jealousy; to control jealousy before it controls them. Each book in the 'Kids Can Cope' series is backed up with practical activities for the child to complete and discuss, consolidating and personalising learning, plus extra notes for parents or teachers. Supports PSHE teaching in the National Curriculum, and encourages both self development and empathy for others, while fostering resilience and giving advice on how to seek help.
Description Lots of children feel shy when they don't know what to do or what to say. It might take them a while to warm up and feel more sure about talking to adults and joining in with other children. And sometimes a child just might like being on their own and playing alone. There may, however, be times when children do want to speak up or join in but don't know how to get past their shyness. And sometimes, their shyness might hold them back and make them miss out on things or endure rather than enjoy events. Don't Hide Because You're Shy helps children learn to be more confident and comfortable around other children and grown-ups. It suggests ways children can overcome their shyness in a variety of situations. Each book in the 'Kids Can Cope' series is backed up with practical activities for the child to complete and discuss, consolidating and personalising learning, plus extra notes for parents or teachers. Supports PSHE teaching in the National Curriculum, and encourages both self development and empathy for others, while fostering resilience and giving advice on how to seek help.
Rose has won the pony prize of a lifetime - but how will the stables compare to the spotlight for her prima donna pony? A riotous ride from the author of Pony on the Twelfth Floor. Rose loves horses - from a distance. She's always found them a bit scary up close. When she wins a pony in a competition, she has to face her fears and learn to ride. But this is no ordinary pony: Maltie Delight is a bona fide superstar, and he knows it. How will this selfie-loving prima donna ever settle for shy Rose as his owner? Can a Wild West riding camp help them learn to live together - or will it be a diva disaster? A hilarious illustrated tale of friendship and self-belief, from the author of Pony on the Twelfth Floor.
Finding a girl squad that's as unique and special as you are starts with finding YOURSELF. Friendships are SO difficult to get right - and when rumours swirl or dramas unfold, your confidence vanishes and the worries start to take over. In this essential guide to navigating friendships you'll meet Poppy, who's juggling all sorts of dilemmas at school. But whether it's coping with feeling left out, handling bullies or embracing her true weird and wonderful self, friendship expert Dr Angharad Rudkin and author Ruth Fitzgerald are there to help with positive, practical advice. As you follow Poppy's trials and tribulations, you'll discover the secrets to finding your own ultimate girl squad - one which loves you for YOU.
Being scared or afraid is a feeling that everyone has. Sometimes the things that scare children are real; things like spiders and snakes, thunder and lightning. Sometimes the things children get scared about are not real - things like monsters; they're not real but the fear of them is real. Face Your Fears understands how and why children get scared. It helps children learn to manage and overcome their fears. It explains how they can make a plan and take steps towards doing something that scares them until they can do the thing they're afraid of and hardly be scared at all. Face Your Fears gives children solutions that really work. With this book, children can learn how to keep their fears in perspective and feel safe and happier.
Whether it's what children can do or what they can't do, the way they look or the way they speak, what they like or dislike, teasing can be over just about everything and anything. When someone's teasing, they might say 'I'm only joking!' or 'It's just a bit of fun!'. But teasing can be terribly upsetting and frustrating. As well as suggesting ways for children to deal with being teased, Stop Teasing! examines how easily teasing can turn into meanness and even bullying, and how to tell when the teasing needs to stop. This book suggests what a child can do if they're being teased, it suggests what children can do if they see someone else being teased, and it talks to the child who might be teasing others.
Description Bullying and burglars. Being laughed at and being left alone. Accidents, illness, family break-up and moving home. Tests at school, changing school. And monsters under the bed. This book helps children learn how to deal with real and imagined worries. It explains what worry is and where it comes from. It explains how and why worries make people think and feel the way they do. Put Your Worries Away understands what is in a worrier's head and body. It suggests ways in which a child can learn to overcome anxiety. With this book, children can learn solutions that really work so that they feel more in control, able to engage with their lives and keep their worries in perspective. Each book in the 'Kids Can Cope' series is backed up with practical activities for the child to complete and discuss, consolidating and personalising learning, plus extra notes for parents or teachers. Supports PSHE teaching in the National Curriculum, and encourages both self development and empathy for others, while fostering resilience and giving advice on how to seek help.
When things don't go right. When it's not fair. When someone doesn't do what they promised they would. Losing or breaking something, being scared or hurt. Not understanding or being able to make something work. Any of these things can trigger anger in children. In response, they may scream, shout, or lash out. This book helps children learn how to deal with their anger. It explains how and why we get angry, and why we think, feel and do the things we do when we're angry. It explains how children can use up their angry energy safely, in ways that don't hurt anyone or make things worse. Take Charge of Anger understands what's going on for an angry child. It suggests ways in which a child can learn to manage their anger and get help if they need it. With this book, children can learn solutions that really work so that they feel less overwhelmed and upset and more in control. Each book in the 'Kids Can Cope' series is backed up with practical activities for the child to complete and discuss, consolidating and personalising learning, plus extra notes for parents or teachers. Supports PSHE teaching in the National Curriculum, and encourages both self development and empathy for others, while fostering resilience and giving advice on how to seek help.
This delightful activity book, based on Molly Potter's bestselling title How Are You Feeling Today?, is filled with lively illustrations and engaging activities about dealing with a whole range of emotions, from excitement and happiness to shyness and jealousy. We all have feelings; sometimes they feel comfortable and sometimes they feel uncomfortable. Can you sort them out and work out which emotion is which? And can you fill in a dot-to-dot boredom buster and draw a fluffy, smiling, happy monster? Use this book to explore how you are feeling and complete the activities with the colourful stickers! With useful tips for parents and carers about delivering emotional literacy at the front of the book, this activity and sticker book will help children get to grips with their emotions on a daily basis.
Leo and Lily do not like getting dressed at all. They will even hide their clothes if they have to! Can you find a yellow jumper, two red shoes or even ... Dad's glasses? This is the perfect activity book for parents struggling to get their children dressed. With plenty of fun and colourful activities, this activity book encourages children to enjoy getting dressed. Little ones will learn how to identify jeans, shirts and shoes as well as understand what we wear for each season. I Can Dress Myself will have children exploring their wardrobes and collecting reward stickers each time they get dressed on their own! Activities include: spot the odd one out, pick and choose, adding stickers, match the socks, drawing, tick the boxes, collect your reward and more!
From Molly Potter, best-selling author of How Are You Feeling Today? and What's Worrying You?, comes a picture book for starting conversations with children about death, bereavement and what happens next. When someone dies, we can feel a whole host of different emotions and explaining them to a child isn't so easy. This book uses clear, easy-to-understand language to answer complex questions about death and how a child might feel when someone dies. It covers all manner of tricky subjects with sensitivity and honesty, from what death is to why people die. Each double page spread takes a child through how they might feel, what they might think and how they might behave. With engaging illustrations, gentle guidance and simple advice for parents and carers, Let's Talk About When Someone Dies fulfils an important but difficult need for starting conversations with children about death and bereavement, in an accessible and supportive way.
A hilarious and charming story of a girl, a high rise, and one very inappropriate pet, from the author of the Mango & Bambang series. Kizzy thought she had dreamed of every possible way she might get a pony. She'd never expected to pick one up from the supermarket. But wherever the plump pony munching on flapjacks in the bakery aisle has come from, Kizzy knows he's everything she's ever wished for: a loyal companion and her ticket to showjumping gold at Olympia. There's just one small problem: how do you keep a pony on the twelfth floor of a high rise without your mum finding out? From Polly Faber, author of the Mango & Bambang series, comes a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated tale about following your dreams - no matter how far-fetched they seem.
Three warm, funny stories about three dog best friends, from beloved picture book author Pippa Goodhart. Perfect for children learning to read. Spotty, Scruff and Duster keep getting into trouble! Join them on three funny adventures, and finish with a party! The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It's the first step towards a lasting love of reading. Level 1 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for new readers who are beginning to read simple stories with help. Short, simple sentences Familiar, repeated words Big, clear type 1 - 5 lines per page Bright, fun pictures to help talk about the story All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children's reading. Book Band: Blue
New from Molly Potter, the best-selling author of How Are You Feeling Today? We all have worries now and then, but sometimes worries can feel like they're getting bigger and bigger, like you can't control them any more. What do you do then? What's Worrying You? is a book all about helping children understand their worries, and what to do when they feel overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings. Each page takes the child step-by-step through different worry scenarios, such as falling out with a friend, getting in trouble at school, or feeling like no one is listening. It talks about how they might feel, what they might think, and what could help them to ease the anxiety. With fun and lively illustrations from Sarah Jennings, gentle guidance on developing emotional literacy, and simple advice for tackling problems they might face, What's worrying you? is the perfect book for helping children deal with those trickier feelings and gain confidence in the world around them.
Collins Big Cat Phonics for Letters and Sounds features exciting fiction and non-fiction decodable readers to enthuse and inspire children. They are fully aligned to Letters and Sounds Phases 1-6 and contain notes in the back. The Handbooks provide support in demonstration and modelling, monitoring comprehension and expanding vocabulary. Mr Hare is a solitary animal, happy to read his paper in silence. Neesha the Elephant lives upstairs and likes doing a lot of noisy activities. Can they ever find a way to live happily alongside each other? This beautifully illustrated story is written by Lynne Rickards. Orange/Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages. The focus sounds in this book are: /ee/ e, ey, y /l/ le /oo/ u /igh/ y /ai/ a /z/ se /v/ ve /f/ ph /w/ wh Pages 22 and 23 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Reading notes within the book provide practical support for reading Big Cat Phonics for Letters and Sounds with children, including a list of all the sounds and words that the book will cover. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.
Pip gets a dragon balloon from the fair but she accidentally lets it go! Will anyone be able to catch Pip's balloon? Oxford Reading Tree Story Sparks is an emotionally-engaging fiction series that will fire children's imaginations and develop their comprehension skills. The variety of authors and illustrators broadens children's reading experience, with something to appeal to every child. This story is one of six titles at Oxford Level 1+, which are phonically decodable with some extra high-interest words to expand children's vocabularies and enrich the stories. All the books in the series are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every reader to the right book.
What do you wear on your first day at school? Who will you meet? What will you do? What will your teacher be like? There are so many questions about this first experience. This wonderful activity and sticker book is a brilliant way to learn about what the day will be like - it makes the transition to school fun and exciting! You can colour in what you will wear, you can paint a picture of your teacher, you can sticker patterns on the windows as well as many other simple and fun activities.
What makes us a good friend? And what might make us a not-so-good friend? What can friends do together? And how do we make friends? Best-selling author Molly Potter presents practical advice on helping children understand how to be a true friend and what helps and what hinders friendships. Will You Be My Friend? is ideal for starting conversations about making friends and includes a guide for parents and carers about supporting a child if they are having friendship difficulties. With fun and lively illustrations from Sarah Jennings, this book is both humorous and charming, and prompts children to discuss the idea of friendship with parents and peers.
Are you feeling happy, sad, excited, worried, shy, scared, or grumpy? Do you know why? This book will introduce emotions and show you how to talk about, share, or enjoy what you feel. There are lovely illustrations that will make you smile, frown, or jump for joy. A fantastic first book for understanding how we feel - and what to do about it!
How many teeth do you have? Do you know why you need to go to the dentist? Can you brush your teeth? Going to the dentist can seem scary, but not with this activity book! Make going to the dentist a fun and exciting experience with colouring and sticker activities all about keeping your teeth healthy. There are lots of colourful stickers for you to collect and even a certificate to reward you for sitting in the dentist's chair!
Endorsed for reading by Cambridge Assessment International Education, Cambridge Reading Adventures is our international primary reading scheme. In this book we meet a little girl packing her bag, has she got everything she needs? Pink A books are intended for new readers with around 30-60 words, colourful illustrations and a high level of repetition to help with word recognition. Contains full teaching support including learning outcomes, curriculum links and follow-up activities.
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