A Christmas Delivery

Tomas and Lolli are very excited about Christmas- and so are all their dragons! When a tiny ice dragon bursts out of one of the spiky fruits on their dragon-fruit tree, it brings snow with it, transforming the garden into a winter wonderland. But, although fun at first, it soon becomes clear that the snow is going to stop them from delivering their presents on time. However, with a little help from the dragons, everything turns out just right in the end!

This absolutely delightful picture book is set in the wonderful world created by Andy Shepherd in her ‘The Boy Who Grew Dragons’ series. Magical and imaginative, ‘A Christmas Delivery’ is a real festive treat which everyone can enjoy!

The story captures all the excitement of the build up to Christmas as the dragons ‘help’ with the preparations and cause chaos! A wonderfully warm sense of family is captured as the siblings work together to get ready for Christmas with the focus very much on spreading joy rather than the presents which they might receive. They are determined to deliver their gifts to family and friends, sticking together and working as a team to achieve their goal…with a little help from their dragon-y friends! Children will love spotting Father Christmas flying through the sky, aided not by reindeer, but by a dragon!

Children are sure to be inspired to imagine their own dragons, describing them, drawing them and deciding on the skills and attributes which they might have. The language used in the story is lovely, making the book a joy to read aloud and each spread bursts with lively, engaging illustrations which are perfect for lingering over and spotting all the little details.

Sure to become a firm favourite all year long!

A Christmas Delivery

Andy Shepherd, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Templar ISBN: 978-1835874264

Basil Dreams Big

Basil the bat doesn’t believe that he can fly. Encouraged by his friend, Moth, and the rest of the fruit bats, he tries and tries, but with no luck. However, when as storm threatens Moth, Basil realises that anything is possible.

Told in bouncy, rhyming text, ‘Basil Dreams Big’ is an absolute dream to read aloud, making it perfect for sharing!

Children will empathise with Basil as he struggles to master a new skill. No matter what he does, his efforts seem fruitless, but ultimately, resilience and self-belief enable him to overcome his fears. Supported by friends and family, he struggles to find the courage until his best friend needs him and everything falls into place. Children will relate to his worries and the book makes a perfect starting point for discussions about resilience, determination and not giving up.

Gorgeous illustrations accompany the story and these could also be used with a class- or individual child- to pause the story and explore Basil’s feelings at different points, perhaps using role play or gathering vocabulary. Children might share a personal (realistic!) goal recorded on a ‘Basil’ shape which they are determined to achieve, creating a display to encourage perseverance.

Used alongside other areas of the curriculum, the book might also inspire research into fruit bats. Some of the lovely phrasing used in the story might also be explored- ‘moonlit-kissed world’, ‘dawn-dusted tree’, ‘storm-tumbled skies’- perhaps encouraging children to create their own descriptive words or phrases- even leading to poetry writing!

A really lovely book!

Basil Dreams Big

Lu Fraser, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398525832

Published 24th April 2025

Penguin Huddle

Every day, the penguin pack plays on the frozen southern pole, but when the sun goes down, they squeeze together in a penguin huddle, warm and cosy, all night long. However, one morning, after a freezing gale, the penguins wake up to find themselves stuck together. Luckily, Pipsqueak, the smallest of them all, has the biggest ideas…

Perfect for the chilly winter evenings, ‘Penguin Huddle’ is a delightful tale of friendship and helping others, full of Ross Montgomery’s humour and Sarah Warburton’s charming illustrations. There is so much to discuss and enjoy on each spread that this will quickly become a firm favourite with young- and old(er) readers everywhere.

So many creatures step up to help the huddle in need, showing the importance of kindness and lending a helping hand -or paw-or claw-or flipper- whenever you can. Pipsqueak’s positive nature and good ideas lead the penguins to work as a team, eventually solving their problem. The wonderful illustrations lend themselves to children inventing their own stories- the mouse family being aided by the fire-giraffe, for example! There are also plenty of touches of humour to explore in the posters about town and in the Doctopus’s surgery!

The book also lends itself to inspiring creative activities- penguin skittles (made from toilet roll tubes), making lollies, using the features of individual penguins to create new ones- perhaps in a game of Build-a-Penguin! So many possibilities!

That said, this is simply a delightful story, packed with personality and penguin power! One not to be missed!

Penguin Huddle

Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406389838

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief

Having recently fought dangerous wizard, Silas, Willow Moss has been drained of her magical powers, but the danger to Starfell is far from over. With the help of her friends, Willow decides to go in search of the legendary Craegun, a powerful creature believed to be able to restore anything which has been lost, who lives in the mountains of Nach. Willow knows there will be a heavy price to pay, but Starfell and everything she loves is in danger, leaving this brave young witch determined, once again, to do her best.

The ‘Starfell’ series has been incredible and this latest (but I hope not last!) visit to Willow’s world is every bit as wonderful as the others. Full of endearing and engaging characters, the stories celebrate friendship, loyalty and believing in yourself.

Willow is so lovely. Over the course of the books, she has grown in confidence and has come to value her abilities whilst remaining kind, thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of others. Through her gentle nature, she inspires loyalty and love from those she meets- finally, her sisters recognise her worth, giving her due credit! Names (always so important to me!) have been so carefully chosen, adding to each character and Oswin continues to capture everyone’s heart with his ways as cantankerous as ever, but his affection and devotion to Willow unshakeable.

The Starfell world is richly developed and full of detail and colour with each location vividly drawn, pulling you into this world of magic and wonder. Sarah Warburton’s illustrations are the perfect complement to the text and under the dust jacket, the book cover is a joy.

An excellent series which captures both the heart and the imagination, the ‘Starfell’ books are simply brilliant!

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief

Dominique Valente, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008308513