One Button Benny and the Dinosaur Dilemma

By Alan Windram and Chloe Holwill-Hunter    I was delighted to discover One Button Benny a few years ago. Me and my son both agreed it was just the kind of quirky, inventive robot and space story that my son would have loved when he was in reception, year 1 and year 2. So I was excited to be asked to join the blog four for the third picture book…

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Human Kindness and Because of You John Lewis

  What always amazes me about illustrated children’s books is their capacity to find me when I need them most. I needed these books this week. Books remind you of the human capacity to be kind to each other, to help each other and how across history people and continents people have always taken a stand for something they believe in or care about.   Human Kindness by John Francis…

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Six picture books to help children explore grief, loss and war

It can be hard for children to process their feelings when they lose a loved one or experience a significant change in their lives that leads to the loss of something important. Empathy picture books can help children and their grown-ups’s explore, understand, and process their feelings. The very best picture books give the reader visual clues, such as where a character is positioned on the page or the use…

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Teacher Review of Amara and the Bats

Amara and Bats is written and illustrated by Emma Reynolds There are some great picture books which will help build our understanding of others AND how to care for our environment. Big thanks to Vicky a year 4 teacher for this review. Amara loves bats – like really really loves bats. She loves their cute little faces, their wings and every fact she can find. She regularly visits her local…

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Three amazing picture books exploring: personal challenges and change and transitions 

    All 3 picture books are absolutely gems, the kind of books you will want to keep on coming back to. At the heart of each story is a message to the reader that they can be anything they want to be, no matter what the circumstances or challenges and with opportunity and support they can overcome these difficulties.    I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott and…

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Five books to explore: anger, fear, jealousy and friendship

In this blog I highlight some my favourite picture books and hybrid graphic novels which can help children and young people explore theirs and others feelings and emotions. With a focus on: anger, frustrations, jealousy, fear and friendship.  Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen  Another fantastic picture book by Nadia Shireen. Great for 3 to 12 years.    Barbara’s day doesn’t get off to the best of starts. I…

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Fab six: exploring nature and environmental issues

Taking-Time by Jo Loring-Fisher Taking time to listen Taking time to feel Taking time to cherish you and also cherish me This illustrated poem encourages the reader to pause and notice the natural world around them. Published by Lantana publishing, an indie publisher with an excellent reputation for diverse books. Each double page spread has a child in a different part of the world. There is a map showing their…

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Interview with author of Boundless Sky, Amanda Addison

I really enjoyed interviewing Amanda Addison author of Boundless Sky. A children’s picture book about the parallel journeys of a swallow and refugee girl called Leila. Combining bird and human migration help to make this book accessible to a wide age range, and to build empathy and understanding about those that are forced to flee their home. Amanda Addison began her creative career as an illustrator at the Chelsea School…

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