The Street Where Santa Lives

When a new neighbour moves in next door, everyone is too busy to notice except a little girl, who immediately spots that he is Father Christmas! Her family try to dissuade her and tell her not to call him Santa, but he doesn’t mind all her questions. When she discovers that he is really good at mending things, the little girl makes him a sign saying ‘Santa’s Work Shop’ and soon all the neighbours are bringing Santa things to mend, with her acting as ‘elf in training’. When the weather turns colder, the little girl is worried when she can’t find her friend and the family discover that he is not feeling well. The little girl quickly rallies support and everyone arrives to take care of their new neighbour.

It might seem a little early to be reading Christmassy books, but ‘The Street Where Santa Lives’ carries a message for the whole year, not just the festive season.

The little girl lives in a busy street where lots of people are hurrying around, focusing on their busy lives, but she notices the new neighbour moving in. Her curiosity leads her to reach out to him, forming a connection between neighbours. Her care for her elderly neighbour leads to her noticing when he is unwell, but also highlights the contribution which people can make if given the opportunity. This is a wonderfully warm cuddle of a story which is perfect for sharing, discussing and enjoying again and again.

The illustrations are simply delightful and full of little details to notice, including a little twist on the last page! Children will enjoy trying to work out whether this really is Santa. His answers to the little girl’s questions do not give the answers she expects- his favourite animal is a rabbit, not a reindeer and his best time of year is spring, not Christmas- and yet he can be seen clutching armfuls of letters, there are plenty of Christmassy items in his workshop and he seems very fond of wearing red tops!

There is so much to enjoy here and the story might encourage families to notice elderly people in their own area and perhaps extend the hand of friendship. As the story says, ‘Magic happens. On my street and yours… You just have to look.’

The Street Where Santa Lives

Harriet Howe, illustrated by Julia Christians

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838918576

Whoosh!

Having had the most wonderful dreams full of ice cream, Boy wakes and asks Grandad if they can have ice cream for breakfast. Ready to set off at last, they cycle for ages only to find that the ice cream van has sold out. Undeterred, they concoct a plan, create a flying bicycle and whoosh off to Ice-cream Mountain…

The latest book about Boy and Grandad, ‘Whoosh!’ is another joyful story from Sam Usher, celebrating creativity and imagination.

At the heart of these stories is the wonderfully warm relationship between Boy and Grandad as they share their adventures. A gentle sense of camaraderie and contentment permeates the whole story from their trip preparations to their return home. They even have the same taste in red and white stripey socks! Content in each others company, they start and end the day together, looking forward to more shared adventures.

Their adventure- setting off to find ice cream, creating their flying bike, flying to Ice-cream Mountain and avoiding a shower of sprinkles before returning triumphantly with a cargo of ice-cream to share- is a perfect blend of the real and the imagined. Children will enjoy studying the labelled diagrams shown on the endpapers and perhaps designing their own flying machine - or using their imagination to transform a bicycle into something else!

And then there’s the ice cream! What could be nicer than a tasty treat whilst reading, whether experimenting with different flavours and combinations or creating home made ice cream to share and enjoy!

The illustrations are so lovely- full of details- and lend themselves to repeated exploring, with opportunities for children to create their own stories as they enjoy them. Sure to become a firm favourite, ‘Whoosh!’ is a delightful read!

Whoosh!

Sam Usher

Templar ISBN: 978-1800786783

Publishing on the 11th September 2025

The Hug Button

Matilda is really excited about starting at The Meadows…until it comes to saying goodbye to Mummy. The next day parting with her is even harder so Mummy draws a hug button on Matilda’s wrist, something to help her cope with her feelings.

Heart-warming and positive, ‘The Hug Button’ is the perfect story for sharing with anyone who is worried about separation.

Whilst encouraging resilience, the story validates Matilda’s feelings, showing it is natural to feel anxious in new situations and be reluctant to part from loved one, before offering a sweet coping strategy which could easily be adopted by any reader feeling daunted at being separated from a loved one. The story cleverly anticipates the potential for over-reliance on the ‘hug button’ by showing how Matilda copes when hers washes of when playing in the water tray. The idea that ‘love is always being there, even when you’re not together’ is such a powerful one, designed to offer comfort. Matilda has her ups and downs during the day, but she copes with each new challenge, reassuring children that they too will manage in new situations.

The delightful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the text as they capture the whole range of emotions experienced by Matilda- and her mother- offering plenty of places for readers to pause and discuss these feelings and ways of managing them. A real must-have to share with any little one preparing to navigate their own way through a new situation.

The Hug Button

Naomi Jones, illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown

OUP ISBN: 978-0192794826

You can read my review of ‘One More Try’ here.

This Song is About Us

As The Kerbs, a four piece band, are on the verge of success, lead singer, Drew, and his long term girlfriend, Ruby, have to decide whether to make their relationship public or to continue in secret. Wanting to maintain their privacy, it seems like an easy decision to make. However, fame comes at a price and Ruby is soon questioning this choice. As Drew- already vulnerable and troubled- faces the challenges of being in the public eye, it seems that their love might not stand the strain.

Told over the course of three music festivals, ‘This Song is About Us’ is told through Ruby’s eyes as Drew and The Kerbs rise to fame. Her relationship with Drew which blossomed under the unlikely conditions of lockdown is intense. Ruby sees the vulnerable side of Drew, who is naturally charming, presenting a carefree face to the world, which hides his troubled upbringing and his need to belong.

Without Ruby’s grounding influence, Drew begins to struggle with the demands of life behind the scenes in the music business, leading to a crisis in their relationship. Already a heavy drinker, Drew’s addition to alcohol and drugs starts to affect his mental health and his friendships within the band. Each character is skilfully nuanced, allowing the reader to empathise with their situation and become invested in them. Moving in places, the story hits hard in others, raising questions about the power and cruelty of social media and the ‘price’ of fame amongst other things.

The friendship between Ruby and Stel is a real joy. Girlfriend to another member of the group, Stel has a very different experience of the band’s fame as she and Lex choose to go public with their relationship. As Ruby watches, she sometimes envies how differently their relationships are playing out, but is glad of Stel’s affectionate company and loyalty throughout.

‘This Song is About Us’ certainly captures the spirit of summer with fun and festivals, but also the pressures of being young and in love. It is a compelling, thoroughly enjoyable read (I could not put it down!) which will leave everyone hoping for a happy ending!

This Song is About Us

Sara Barnard

Walker Books ISBN: 9781529525366

I am Strong Just Being Me

One day, whilst they are in the garden, young Bean asks Nanna, ‘What is strong?’ and she offers a wealth of advice, exploring strength in all its guises.

‘I am Strong Just Being Me’ is a wonderfully uplifting, joyful picture book, perfect for encouraging discussions about the stereotypes surrounding what it is to be strong and how this can be seen. It is a real celebration of the many different ways of showing strength, and showing just how everyone can be strong in their own way.

There is no indication as to whether Bean is a girl or a boy, allowing readers to identify with the character and to quickly dispel ‘traditional’ gender roles relating to strength, focusing instead on speaking up when needed, asking for help, struggling and making mistakes, admitting being wrong, saying sorry, forgiving- an empowering range of qualities which are so important to strength of character rather than physical strength. Nanna puts emphasis on the importance of love and showing we care, those very things which some believe you have to keep hidden to be strong. It makes for exuberant reading- perfect for sharing!

Another strength of this lovely story is the warm, loving relationship between grandparent and grandchild. Perhaps it might seem old-fashioned to some, but I think this sharing of wisdom between generations is to be valued and cherished. The story shows a real exploration of ideas between the two- Nanna offers her thoughts and then asks Bean what their opinion is, showing respect for opinions in both directions, collaborative learning at its best!

The illustrations are just delightful and match the lyrical text perfectly. They capture the warmth of the relationship as well as the beauties of the natural world which frames their discussion as they enjoy the outdoors together. The end papers show a selection of plants and the properties which they are said to represent, perhaps also encouraging children (and adults!) to look for these on an outside adventure- a flower treasure hunt if you like! Perfect for home or school, ‘I am Strong Just Being Me’ is an essential addition to any bookshelf.

I am Strong Just Being Me

Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Kip Alizadeh

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838917180

Published 3rd April

A Boy Called Book

When a baby boy is born, his mother decides to call him Book because his life is a story and he can write it however he wants. As time passes, he learns that he has many stories to tell – an adventure story, a funny story, a boring story. As time passes, he realises that life isn’t a book, but a library, full of stories of the past, present and future.

Some books just resonate with you, capturing how you feel, or how you would like to have expressed something, perfectly. ‘A Boy Called Book’ is a joyful celebration of the importance of stories, how they can comfort us, shape us and inspire us.

Not all stories are happy and when Book and his family are confronted by grief, it is a special, hand made book by a friend which brings him some comfort. The family photo album is another book which helps the family cope with their sadness. I love the way this story values all kinds of books and the many ways in which they colour our lives. The story could easily be used to develop children’s understanding of different genres, perhaps encouraging them to investigate a wider range of reading matter, but for me, one of its many strengths is that it helps to identify and validate the many emotions and moods we all have.

The illustrations are wonderful. They are at times humorous, at times poignant, but always bursting with detail, energy and warmth. I really want a patchwork reading chair like the one Book is sitting on at the very beginning of the book! Book’s best friend is shown as having vitiligo, something I can’t recall having seen before in a children’s book. The joy of their friendship is what is central to the story, yet this inclusion is perfect for sparking sensitive discussions about this condition.

‘A Boy Called Book’ ends in such a wonderfully positive way, looking to the future and all the blank pages/ chapters/ books yet to be written and added to Book’s library, making the story a brilliantly up-lifting read.

 A Boy Called Book

Vincent Ralph, illustrated by Aaron Cushley

Scholastic    ISBN: 978-0702324864

The Suitcase

When a little boy is left at his grandparent’s for the summer holidays, he expects to be completely bored as nothing ever happens there and there is nothing to do. However, when searching the attic, he finds a suitcase, full of mysterious things and photos of people having incredible adventures and doing exciting things. Determined to find out who they are, he starts to investigate…

This is such a lovely story, perfect for helping children to appreciate their grandparents - and perhaps their parents- as ‘real’ people who have lived interesting and varied lives in their own right as well as being the ‘boring’ people they see day after day. Readers will love spotting all the clues hidden in plain sight and piecing together the solution whilst the young lad puzzles over the evidence. There is plenty here to amuse adults as well as children- a tape of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is labelled as possibly being some sort of spying equipment, for example!

The story would make an excellent starting point for developing children’s interest in their own family history, encouraging them to talk to relations and learn more about their lives and perhaps discovering new interests which they can share. For some family’s looking at the past might not be possible, but the story could lead to creating their own ‘suitcase’ of memorabilia of a holiday or day spent together (whether at home or away!), forging new memories and strengthening bonds across generations.

I could wax lyrical for hours about the fabulous illustrations - the antics of the cat, the before and after photos on the end papers, the links between the grandparents past and present lives- there is so much to notice and enjoy!

Heart-warming and joyful, ‘The Suitcase’ helps readers understand that other people might be more interesting that we give them credit for!

The Suitcase Daniela Sosa

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398518698

I Love You More

As mum settles Rae down at bedtime, she tries to tell her just how much she loves her- more than tiny tree frogs love to leap, more than penguins love waddling in the snow, more than dolphins love the boundless sea- more than words can say.

Gorgeous illustrations and beautiful lyrical text combine to make a wonderful snuggle-up story to share with the ones you love. A joy to read aloud, the gentle rhyme follows a comforting pattern which children will quickly be able to join in with- and enjoy creating their own images to express their feelings. It offers the reassurance of unconditional, never-ending love from adult to child- but with Rae getting the last word!

There is a dream-like quality to the illustrations yet these lovely images are sure to inspire children to find out more about the creatures they show.

‘Guess How Much I Love You’ was one of my son’s favourite books when he was little and ‘I Love You More’ offers readers the same cosy feeling, the same sense of shared love, the same precious memories that I will never forget from our bedtime- or anytime- stories. Another winner, Clare- congratulations!

I Love You More

Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839944192

You can read my review of ‘Sunny Side Up’ here and ‘Never Ever Ever Ask a Pirate to a Party’ here.

One Little Word

After a quarrel in the playground between two friends, the Argument appears. This lurid purple and orange depiction of their disagreement thrives on the ill-feelings in the air, swelling with each nasty word, look or deed. It forces its way between them and all the children in the playground start to take sides. Tension mounts until each mutters ‘sorry’ and with that little word, the Argument starts to shrink and harmony is restored once more.

This is one of those books which are just invaluable for helping children to explore and understand their emotions. Joseph Coelho has perfectly captured how something trivial between friends can escalate into a major issue. No blame is attached to either party, allowing the reader to consider both points of view, making it the perfect starting point for role play, hot seating and drama work. The Argument is seen as the issue here, blocking their friendship, getting in the way of their games, growing as time passes- giving visual representation to the atmosphere which this sort of falling out creates.

Words and pictures really do work completely in harmony in this lovely book. The frustration the children feel, the glee on the growing Argument’s face and then the contrition and relief experienced by the children as they utter that one little word, ‘sorry’, and their friendship blossoms once more are all beautifully captured. This is a book that would work well at home - perhaps to discuss quarrels between siblings- or at school- to defuse and explore playground incidents. I would happily use this with any age group and can think of many occasions with my Year 6’s where it would have been invaluable.

Gorgeous illustrations and soft words of wisdom- an excellent, much needed book!

One Little Word

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711279094

You can read my review of ‘My Beautiful Voice’ here.

A Star for Mama

Kip the baby penguin loves his mama very much. Whilst gazing at the night sky, Mama comments on the beauty of the stars and Kip has the idea of trying to catch a shooting star for her and sets off on an adventure…

What’s not to love about this sweet story! Celebrating the bond between mother and child, it shows the pleasure of spending time together and enjoying the little things in life. It is perfect for snuggling down together and sharing!

Kip’s love for his mother makes him want to do something really special for her, setting him off on his adventure. He is completely focused on his quest, failing to notice the dangers which readers will instantly spot as Kathy Creamer’s illustrations offer another layer to the story. The reassuring presence of the big grey dog prevents any really worries for Kip’s safety, despite the appearance of the hungry looking fox and the driving rain. I love the penultimate picture where mother and baby are sheltered by the dog under a sky filled with Northern Lights whilst the disgruntled fox scuttles off to look for food elsewhere. Children are sure to love to story of the crab who finds the net on the end papers only to have it whisked away by Kip, but who has gained possession of his prize once more on the final endpaper. There is plenty to discuss in this gentle story and plenty to enjoy.

At the end of the book, there is a section of penguin facts, allowing children to discover more about these fascinating creatures. Kip and the other penguins are shown living in what I assume are artificial nests, again opening possibilities for discussion and discovery.

A Star for Mama

Ashling Kwok, illustrated by Kathy Creamer

Little Pink Dog Books ISBN: 978-0648964131

Lizzy and the Cloud

I make no secret of the fact that I love the Fan Brothers’ books and share them with children (and adults!) at every opportunity. Each book is a complete delight, offering so much to explore and enjoy, meaning that I am never sure which one is my favourite!

Although clouds are a bit out of fashion, Lizzy chooses one from the cloud seller on a visit to the park with her parents. These come in many shapes and sizes, but Lizzie selects an ordinary one and calls it Milo. Having read the care instructions, Lizzie does her best to look after her cloud, but as he grows, she realises that she must let him go.

The illustrations are an absolute joy! Many of the pictures are in shades of grey with highlights of bright yellow whilst others are full of colour. There are so many details to notice (Which doors might the ‘keys for unknown doors’ open?) and so much to discuss on every spread, with plenty of opportunities for readers to develop their own stories as they read. There are many ways this book could be used in school as there are many places to pause, reflect and discuss, leading to role play, drama and a wide range of writing opportunities. The instructions for ‘Cloud Care’ and the possibilities for designing and drawing their own cloud companions offer endless fun and creative work.

Lizzy cares so much for Milo that, in the end, she realises that she must do the right thing for him, regardless of how she feels. She loves him so much that she jots an additional instruction to the ‘Caring for Your Cloud’ sheet- ‘Let your cloud float free’. Clouds should not be confined to small spaces, we are told, and this might offer a useful starting point for some difficult discussions about friendships, for example.

The book is an absolute joy from beginning to end with a timeless feel and wide appeal. It is one to be enjoyed again and again…and again!

Lizzy and the Cloud The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711275928

You can read my review of ‘It Fell from the Sky’ here, ‘The Barnabus Project’ here and ‘Ocean Meets Sky’ here.