Big Hid By Roisin Swales

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Big Hid‘Big Hid’ is a beautifully illustrated tale of the friendship between Big (a tortoise) and Little (a squirrel). Together they have many adventures but one day Big just doesn’t feel like doing anything anymore. He pulls in his head and his arms and his legs and he disappears in to his shell.

Little tries everything he can think of to make Big come out but nothing works. He misses his friend a lot so decides to just sit on top of him and give him a big cuddle. Could this be what Big needs to bring him back out of his shell?

This is a really simple but poignant tale about friendship.

Everyone gets sad and needs a little time alone sometimes – and when you think you might be ready to face the world again a big hug from your best friend can make all the difference.

This is currently Ivy’s favourite book. Every time I ask her to pick a book she yells ‘TORTOISE’ and grabs this off the shelf.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2oczINg

The First Slodge By Jeanne Willis & Jenni Desmond

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The First SlodgeThis adorable little green thing is a Slodge and she is the very first creature on earth. She watches the first sunrise and the first sunset and as she surveys the world she thinks it all belongs to her.

However one day she awakens from a nap to discover that someone or something has taken a bite out of her fruit. She soon discovers there’s another Slodge who looks just like her.

Learning to share her world proves difficult but when the two Slodges are forced to work together to survive they realise that life just might be better as a twosome.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2o6GUuh

Blown Away by Rob Biddulph

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Blown AwayPenguin Blue has a brand new kite and he’s very excited about flying it for the first time. Unfortunately he picks a day which is a little bit too windy and a big gust carries him away. His friends grab his feet but the wind is too strong and soon they’re all flying over the ocean – 3 penguins, a seal and a bear!

Eventually they land on a tiny tropical island. They seem to be trapped and they’re not used to warm weather.

Will they be able to find a way home?

A lovely tale of friendship and ingenuity with really quirky little illustrations.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2BsM783

The Weaver by Qian Shi

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The WeaverStanley the Spider finds the perfect spot for a new web and sets about weaving himself a home. When it’s finished he decorates it with lovely things which he has collected, like leaves and flowers, buttons and bottle tops. He’s very proud of his new creation but then the rain washes it away.

Stanley is very upset and tries to fix it but then the wind comes along and makes it worse. Just when he thinks all is lost he has an idea. Can he pull it off?

This is a beautifully illustrated book which teaches an importance message about resilience and dealing with loss. Nothing you love can ever truly be lost as you always carry it with you in your heart.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2smXTO6

Tilly & Tank by Jay Fleck

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Tilly & TankA tank isn’t an obvious choice for a character in a children’s book and before reading this I have to admit I was sceptical. However Tilly & Tank carries a lovely message about friendship and since we received it a few days ago it has become a firm favourite.

Tilly is a blue elephant who one day spots a little green tank which looks just like her. She approaches it hoping to make friends. Tank is on duty, minding his own business, when he sees what he thinks is a little blue tank coming towards him. He presumes it is an enemy.

Their confusion causes problems but can they look beyond their differences and become friends? #makepeacenotwar

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2nLOPwL

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet by Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie

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Dogs Don't Do BalletBiff isn’t like other dogs. He doesn’t like playing fetch and he doesn’t do dog stuff like scratch himself or drink from the loo. Instead he dreams of becoming a ballerina!

He follows his owner to her ballet classes and watches intently – but whenever he tries to dance everyone says ‘dogs don’t do ballet!’.

For her birthday, his owner receives tickets to the royal ballet but Biff isn’t allowed to go. He’s so desperate to see the show that he sneaks after her.

Disaster strikes when the prima ballerina trips and falls – who could possibly take her place and save the show?

This is a great book which shows you should always follow your dreams and be true to yourself, even when others doubt you.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2EFDG8L

Little People Big Dreams: Rosa Parks by Lisbeth Kaiser & Marta Antelo

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Little People Big Dreams: Rosa ParksWhen I spotted the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series of books I knew I had to get them for Ivy. I bought 6 of them, each highlighting the life of an inspirational woman from history, with the intention of putting them away until she’s a tiny bit older. However she spotted them and was fascinated straight away. She’s too young to understand the stories and their significance yet but she seems drawn to the beautiful illustrations. Her favourite seems to be this one, which runs through the amazing life of Rosa Parks.

It shows all of the injustices and inequalities she had to deal with as a child and the inspiring way in which she stood up and made a massive difference.I definitely recommend checking it out (along with the rest of the series).

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2E1dQ2c

Animal Music by Julia Donaldson & Nick Sharratt

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Animal MusicIvy is partial to a boogie so we are big fans of this musical number by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt.

The raucous rhyme runs through a whole orchestra of animals, each playing a different musical instrument. It’s really fun to read and has also been a great way for Ivy to learn the names of animals that don’t often show up in kids books.

She particularly likes the crooning crayfish and the bison who plays the cello!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2DXbPE0

Silly Dizzy Dinosaur by Jack Tickle

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Silly Dizzy DinosaurIvy LOVES Silly Dizzy Dinosaur by Jack Tickle.The story calls for lots of interaction so it’s perfect for burning off some excess energy.

Dizzy is a big,red dinosaur who loves to be tickled but is a tiny bit clumsy.As you move through the book you need to tickle him, talk to him and rotate/shake the book to keep him happy and stop him from hurting himself. However despite your best efforts he bumps his nose and you need to give him a big kiss to make him feel better.

Whenever this book comes out we read it multiple times in a row and there are always fits of giggles (from both of us!)

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2E2pc5d

How To Catch A Star By Oliver Jeffers

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How To Catch A StarOur love affair with Oliver Jeffers continues with ‘How to Catch a Star’.

This story is about a little boy who loves stars. He loves them so much that he wants to find one so that it can be his friend – so he decides to catch a star of his very own! He waits all day but doesn’t see any stars. Then night arrives and a star appears, but it’s too high for him to reach.

He uses lots of inventive ways to try and catch the star – but will he succeed?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2s1pKUb