Tag

Courage

The Koala Who Could By Rachel Bright & Jim Field

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The Koala Who CouldKevin the koala lives in a tree surrounded by a beautiful landscape and scores of fun-loving animals. However instead of exploring with his friends he stays up in his tree because he is scared of change. Up there he is safe and nothing bad can happen to him. Why would he risk doing something which might scare him?

Then one day a woodpecker arrives and changes Kevin’s world forever. What will happen when he is forced out of his comfort zone?

I love this book because we’ve all been Kevin – and I think it’s so important for kids to see that stretching yourself and facing your fears can truly enrich your life and bring you closer to your dreams.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2BuEJt5

Otto The Book Bear By Katie Cleminson

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Otto The Book BearOtto is a little bear who lives on the pages of a book – but he has a special secret. When no one is looking he can climb out of the book and roam free!

He loves the children he belongs to and he loves exploring their house – however one day a removals van comes and takes everything away, but leaves poor Otto behind.

Otto bravely packs a bag and sets out find a new home but the city is big and scary and not at all like his lovely warm book.

Will he be able to find a place for himself in the big, wide world?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2ke3LSO

Not Quite Narwhal By Jessie Sima

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Not Quite NarwhalNot Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima is a glorious little book about discovering your true self.

Kelp is born in the ocean and grows up believing he’s a Narwhal like his friends – but deep down he knows he’s a little bit different.

One day he gets swept away by a strong current and finds himself close to the shore. Up on a cliff he spots a majestic horned creature which looks just like him.

Is he brave enough to venture on to land and discover who he really is? And if he does, will he ever be able to return to his Narwhal friends?

This book carries such a great message about inclusion, diversity and being true to yourself.

Highly recommended – and the illustrations are some of the loveliest I’ve seen.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2BIhl8H

The Bear And The Piano By David Litchfield

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The Bear And The PianoThere is something hauntingly beautiful about The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield – and this is another one where Ivy feels compelled to stroke the pages when I’m reading it to her.

The story is about a little bear cub who finds an old piano in the woods. Fascinated by the sounds it makes, he visits every day until he is an accomplished pianist, but he still doesn’t really understand what the piano is.

His playing begins to draw a crowd and eventually Broadway comes calling. He would really, really like to play his piano for audiences around the world but he’s scared of leaving his home and family behind.

What will happen if he takes a leap of faith? And will his friends forget all about him once he’s gone?

This is a really powerful book about how following your dreams doesn’t have to mean losing your roots.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2ip1J1O

The Magic Paintbrush By Julia Donaldson & Joel Stewart

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The Magic PaintbrushThis is the Julia Donaldson version of a classic story I remember from my own childhood – The Magic Paintbrush.

Shen lives in a poor community and every day she is sent out to catch fish for her family.

Whilst waiting for a bite she traces pictures in the sand with a stick, which draws the attention of an old man. The curious stranger gives her a magic paintbrush and tells her to use it to help the poor but never the rich.

Shen goes home and realises that anything she draws comes to life. She paints fish, oysters, baskets, shoes, coats and hats for the folk in her village and soon the community thrives.

But what will Shen do when the evil emperor summons her to his palace and threatens to keep her prisoner unless she draws him a tree of golden coins?

Beautifully illustrated by Joel Stewart, and Julia Donaldson’s magic touch really brings this folk tale to life.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2jlU8Ex

The Lion Inside By Rachel Bright & Jim Field

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The Lion InsideAs a shy person with more than a pinch of anxiety, this is the book I wish I had read as a child and I hope it inspires Ivy in the future.

The story is about a tiny little mouse who is often overlooked because of his quiet little voice. He looks up to the mighty lion who lives nearby and wishes he could be big and brave like him.

One day he realises that in order to be who he wants to be he needs to find his courage, so he sets off to find the lion so he can ask him to teach him to roar.

But the meeting doesn’t quite go to plan. Could it be possible that the mighty lion is scared of mice?

We adore this one, and I’m not ashamed to say that the first time I read it to Ivy I cried at the end. Beautiful!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2zwAZUk

Room On The Broom By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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Room On The BroomAs Halloween approaches it only seems right to draw attention to this absolute classic from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

A friendly witch flies on her broomstick on a windy day but the wind keeps blowing away her witchy essentials, including her hat and her wand.

Each time she lands to hunt them down a clever animal helps her and then joins her on her broom. She’s soon travelling with a veritable menagerie but then the broom snaps in two and they all tumble to the ground and land in the path of a hungry dragon. How will they ever escape?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2z2Oayb

Superworm By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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SuperwormSuperworm is everyone’s favourite worm.

Super long and super strong he saves lives and entertains his friends every day until evil Wizard Lizard kidnaps him and sets him to work tunnelling for treasure. When his friends find out what has happened they hatch a cunning plan to save the day.

I have to admit this book is a tiny bit annoying but Ivy loves the illustrations and always cheers at the end!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2gO0RTU