Nature Adventures is a treasure trove of activities, information, observation, pictures and poetry, featuring habitats such as town and city, woodland and headgerow, ponds and rivers, moorland and seaside. And even including car journeys. This is a unique and inspirational book that will encourage families everywhere to explore the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
Picture Book
My Two Grandads
Aston’s Grandad Roy played in a steel band and Grandad Harry played the trumpet in a brass band. Aston always enjoyed going to visit them and listen to them practice. But soon he wanted to join in. So he asked Grandad Roy to teach him to play the steel drums and then he asked Grandad Harry to teach him to play the trumpet. He loved practicing both instruments. Then the school needs a band to play at the school fair, and both grandads want their own band to play. Finally Aston had an idea – both bands join together to make one big band, and Aston joins in first on steel drums and then on trumpet. This story of a mixed-race family reconciling their cultures is a celebration of diversity. Written by one of Britain’s foremost campaigners and media personalities and illustrated by a highly regarded illustrator, this book is sure to build on the success of My Two Grannies.
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s novels were strongly influenced by his childhood both in South Africa, where lions prowled and wild beasts roamed, and in the English countryside, where he imagined that elves and gnomes dwelled. J. R. R. Tolkien wrote many stories, studied languages–even inventing one of his own–and founght bravely in World War I. He wrote The Hobbit, a children’s book about a courageous creature with pointed ears and furry feet, which was an instant success. His next book, The Lord of the Rings, made Tolkien, an ordinary man with an extraordinary imagination, one of the world’s most beloved authors.
Batty
Batty’s efforts to impress visitors at the zoo fail, but he is determined to be popular like the other animals. First he goes to the penguin pool but the water is cold and he doesn’t like fish. Then he tries the gorilla enclosure but he doesn’t have any fleas for the gorillas to pick off him. He tries to laze in the sun with the lions but its far too bright for his sensitive eyes. When eventually he returns to his bat cave he finds that everyone else is trying to be like him, hanging upside down. This clever and witty story is brought to life with Batty’s upside down view of his surroundings, involving the reader in turning the book upside down with him.
One Little Chicken
How much work can one little chicken be? When Leora finds a chicken in her front yard, she imagines keeping it as a pet and gathering eggs for breakfast every morning. But her mother has a very different view. Following a Jewish law that says “finders aren’t keepers,” Mrs. Bendosa is determined that the family should care for the chicken just until its rightful owner returns. Soon, however, one little chicken becomes a flock of chickens, a flock of chickens becomes two goats, two goats become a herd of goats…until—Oh! What a house! Elisa Kleven’s detailed folk art brings Elka Weber’s humorous retelling of a traditional tale to life and promises to leave readers pondering the adage, “finders, keepers.”
The Magic Brush
Jasmine’s grandfather teaches her Chinese calligraphy by drawing and making up stories together. This book includes information about Chinese characters and a glossary of words in the story.
Prayer for the Twenty-first Century
A compelling text speaks to both young and old, expressing the deeply held hopes and fears that everyone recognizes. Illustrated with paintings, photographs, and collages, this call from the heart contains a message we all wish for our loved ones.
Squish Rabbit
Squish is just a little rabbit. But being little can lead to big problems. Sometimes Squish is hard to hear or see. (Which is how he got his name.) And no one notices him. But Squish notices things- especially when someone is about to get into trouble and needs help. Here is little Squish’s BIG chance.
Rangoli
Every morning Ajji’s village is decorated with rangolis – special patterns made usually from rice flour and sugar or materials such as cereals, pulses, grains, sand or beads. Dots, lines, flower designs, on the ground on the wall, everywhere. Food for ants, beautiful to look at and fun for birds, dogs and children. This delightful book makes a wonderful introduction to the art of rangoli and the illustrations carry the exuberance of these earthy patterns.The book includes a spread at the back on how to make your own rangolis. Rangoli is one of the most popular art forms in India. It is also known in different parts of the country as muggu, kolam and alpona. The motifs used are usually taken from nature or geometric patterns. Rangolis are particular popular around festivals such as diwali – the Hindu festival of light.
Bob & Co
“Who left the sun in the bathroom again? Where does the story begin?” There are so many questions in the world of “Bob & Co”. Its no wonder that Bob needs a page of quiet now and then to think them over. Irreverently tackling the big questions of life, the universe, and everything with abundant humor and captivating illustrations, “Bob & Co” is a unique, charming, and sometimes bafflingly inventive book that every inquisitive child (and adult) will treasure and adore.