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Focus On: Picture Books!

Here are our picture book picks for autumn/winter 2024! Have a browse through to help focus your gift buying for this season, and beyond!


Jonty Gentoo (Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler)

Join a plucky little penguin on the journey of a lifetime, in this fabulous new picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Jonty the little gentoo penguin longs to find his true home at the South Pole. One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing adventure, all the way to Antarctica (with an accidental detour to the North Pole!) Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finally finds his way, in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world.

 


The Snow Thief (Alice Hemming & Nicola Slater)

GASP! Where has all the grass gone, Bird? Why is it so white and cold? Squirrel and Bird are back, and this time it's winter! But Squirrel has never seen snow before. Will he like it? You bet he will!  Except, just as Squirrel starts to get used to the snow, it disappears! Is there a snow thief on the loose?

Another personality-packed story by Alice Hemming, all about how the weather changes when winter comes, with brilliant illustrations by Nicola Slater that are full of expression and humour! There's also a handy information spread at the back that tells children all about winter and the changing seasons!

 


Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble (Briony May Smith)

Join Tiny Jenny, a mischievous fairy born to a family of wrens, as she sets out to find where she truly belongs. Mr and Mrs Wren are surprised when a tiny, wingless fairy hatches from one of their eggs. But they lovingly name her Tiny Jenny and raise her as their own.

Tiny Jenny – like all fairies – grows to be a menace in the woods. She digs up squirrel nuts and blocks mole hills. The other forest creatures are not happy.
So Tiny Jenny decides it is time to leave her home and seek out her fairy family. But it turns out the fairies are anything but welcoming! Oh, where does Tiny Jenny truly belong?

 


Penguin and Pup: The Perfect Christmas (Hazel Gardner)

Meet Penguin: he's thoughtful, kind and loyal. He can be a bit cautious with new things, and he’s very sensible. Pup, on the other hand, is a fun-loving whirlwind! She always thinks big and sometimes gets a bit carried away.

Like lots of friends, Penguin and Pup like VERY different things. Especially when it comes to Christmas. Penguin is all about the simple things: a perfectly-sized Christmas tree, and maybe a mince pie. Pup, on the other hand, wants a GIANT snow machine and a ten-course feast.

Penguin and Pup: The Perfect Christmas is a recipe for disaster, LOTS of laughter and the perfect Christmas book for kids. 
So whether you are more Penguin, or more Pup, come along and let the giggling begin!

 


Pick and Mix Poetry (picked by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Becky Thorns)

With each poem hand-selected by Julia Donaldson, Pick and Mix Poetry is filled with over 300 poems, including familiar favourites, as well as exciting new voices, promising something for any and every occasion. From unforgettable classics to contemporary works from around the world. From football to turtles, pirates to trees, family to cakes and sweets, this is a sumptuous treat that is perfect to dip into or pore over.

Gorgeously illustrated throughout by Becky Thorns, and with an elegant foil cover and ribbon marker, this beautiful gift is a timeless collection sure to spark a lifelong love of poetry!


Art’bracadabra (Raphael Garnier)

This highly interactive and sumptuous hardback includes elements that children can play with including a pop-up, wheel, special inks, flaps to lift and different textures to explore! Playing with the pages of this magical book will change the images and introduce the use of colour, perspective, the dot and the line, and shows children how to unlock the secrets of art. Art'bracadabra is adapted from a series of short films displayed at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France, by renowned modern artist Raphael Garnier in which he presents the 10 basic elements and principles of art.