Picture Books
A good picture book is timeless. Here we have a highlighted selection of new and favourites, but we have a full collection in store and available to order.
We also stock a range of books designed to help kids through difficult times, please email if you would like us to research anything particular.
The Golden Hare, Paddy Donnelly (paperback from Feb 2025)
£13.99
Meara and Grandad set out on a journey to find the Golden Hare, a mythical, shape-shifting creature that can jump to the moon in two-and-a-half leaps! Along the way, they discover all sorts of treasures in the trees, under the ground and in the waves. And who knows where that clever Golden Hare might be hiding ...
A gorgeous story and illustration from Northern Irish illustrator and author Paddy Donnelly, who is always generous with his time and calls in to sign his books when he's in Belfast :)
paperback 9781788495950 available from Feb 2025
The Hare Shaped Hole, John and Thomas Docherty, paperback
£7.99
Quite simply one of the loveliest books to deal with loss, not just bereavement but perhaps also if a friend moves away, or with the loss of a pet - the metaphor is very gently expressed.
Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare. They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever, and whenever you looked, you would find them together... until quite unexpectedly... the end came. When Hertle disappears for good, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole where his friend should be.
He pleads with it, get angry with it, but the hole still won't bring his Hertle back. It seems like hope is lost... until Gerda the kindly bear finds him.
She explains that he must fill the hole with his memories of Hertle. And slowly... Bertle begins to feel a little bit better.
Powerful and moving text from children's author and poet John Dougherty is paired perfectly with warm illustrations from the wonderfully talented Thomas Docherty in a thoughtful and sensitive approach to this difficult topic. This moving picture book will be loved and treasured by children and adults alike. With kids, it can be used to start a gentle conversation about death and grief.
The Heart of A Giant, Hollie Hughes (paperback July 2023)
£7.99
A journey of friendship and discovery from the author of very popular The Girl and the Dinosaur. There's a shape up in the hills, where a giant's said to sleep,beneath a grassy blanket, on a bed of moss and peat . .. Then, one day, the sleeping giant wakes - and a small boy called Tom is plunged into an unforgettable adventure. Along the way, he'll discover what it means to be a true friend - and that even an ordinary boy can have the heart of a giant.
With a beautiful rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations from debut talent Anna Wilson, this beautiful book is a treat.
The Hoys, Kes Gray ( paperback June 2024 )
£7.99
Ahoy there! But what is a hoy, and why can Pirate Jake never see one?! No matter how hard he looks, Jake cannot see the mysterious hoys he keeps hearing so much about. How can he ever be a proper pirate if he can’t see a hoy? With his parrot on his shoulder, he walks gloomily across the sand dunes. Until something quite unusual catches his eye.
Another genius little book from the master of wordplay, wit and whimsy! This vibrant new picture book from bestselling author Kes Gray is perfect for pirate fans everywhere, at any time of day.
The littlest Yak 2 ; The New Arrival by Lu Fraser
£6.99
This irresistible follow-up to the bestselling, award-winning The Littlest Yak celebrates new siblings and the way that a heart can grow to fit even more love inside! Gertie the yak is back! And she's going to be a big sister! Gertie wants the new baby to feel right at home, so she paints a welcome sign, knits a bib and plans to share all her favourite things. But when Gertie realises she might have to share Mummy too, she starts to have a bit of a wobble... This adorable and touching new adventure for the littlest yak reassures with warmth and humour as Gertie learns that, with the new arrival, she's loved a whole heartful more!
The Littlest Yak, Lu Fraser & Kate Hindley ( paperback)
£6.99
WINNER OF Oscar's Book Prize 2021
Perfect for fans of Rachel Bright and Julia Donaldson, The Littlest Yak is a joyous, rhyming caper that teaches little ones to celebrate their own unique talents!
Gertie is the littlest yak in her whole herd, and she's feeling stuck in her smallness - she wants to grow UP and have bigness and tallness! But when it turns out that there are some things that only Gertie can do, might she come to see that she's perfect, just the way she is? A rollicking, heartwarming and reassuring story from debut author, Lu Fraser and much-loved illustrator, Kate Hindley.
The Oak Tree, Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandoy ( paperback August 2024)
£7.99
Watch a thousand years unfold in the life of one magnificent tree! A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the ground. As the years pass, it grows . . and GROWS into an enormous oak tree! As the centuries sweep by, children play games around the tree. Families dance about it.
A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow trunk! The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals, from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles. After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm - but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins all over again. The tree's magical life story is brought to life in Julia Donaldson's rich, dramatic rhyme.
Victoria Sandøy's gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the people and wildlife that pass by Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures, and seeing the games children play around the tree This is a book that encourages us all to look more closely at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient trees. The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them.
The Pandas Who Promised, Rachel Bright ( paperback May 2024)
£7.99
High on a misty mountainside, red panda cubs Popo and Ketu live happily with their mama. As the sisters grow, they promise Mama that they will always stay close to home. But while cautious Popo is content to spend her days in the family's cosy treetop nest, bold Ketu dreams of excitement and exploration.
So when Ketu creeps off down the mountain in search of adventure, Popo must make a choice: will she keep her promise to Mama, or look after her sister?An action-packed, heart-warming tale of being true to your word and true to yourself, from the creators of the international bestseller The Lion Inside.
The Pet Potato, Josh ( paperback March 2023)
£7.99
Albert is so desperate to get a pet, he'll take anything - a cat, a dog, giraffe... he's not fussy, so he's super excited when Dad finally brings a pet home. There's just one problem: it's a potato.Potatoes can't do anything a proper pet does... can they?!Branford Boase Award shortlisted Josh Lacey and World Illustration Award shortlisted Momoko Abe bring warmth and humour in perfect measure to this story, perfect for any child who's desperate for a pet!
The Rainbow Flamingo, Catherine Emmet with Claire Powell ( paperback May 2024)
£7.99
This one young flamingo, Adele was her name, Knew under HER wings something wasn’t the same. Whilst quite unremarkably pink from outside … Inside were some colours she struggled to hide! Adele wants nothing more than to be just like all the other flamingos. But hiding who she really is feels horribly tough.
Can Adele find the courage to celebrate her true colours? Perfect for fans of Perfectly Norman, this thought-provoking and touching story empowers children to embrace their uniqueness and have the courage to stand out. ‘A riotous, dazzling, joy-filled book, brimming with hope and warmth.
The Wild Outside (paperback August 2024)
£8.99
Tulip loves being outside. She loves puddles and pinecones, flowers and feathers, and her pockets are full of nature's treasure. But Tulip is desperate to know more about the things she sees and finds on her daily walk ...
"What is this stone... this plant... this seed?" "What is this tree...
this leaf... this weed?" So, when Tulip finds a nature trail drawn in chalk on the street outside her house, she is delighted to discover the names and uses of all her favourite trees, plants, and flowers. Then one day, she comes home to find a carefully wrapped present waiting on her doorstep ...
A book of nature from around the world. Every day, Tulip learns more and more about nature, but who is creating the nature trail? With names and facts given for every tree, plant and flower Tulip discovers, this beautifully illustrated book encourages children to stop, notice, name and celebrate the nature that can be found in their surroundings - and beyond. Because just outside your own front door, there is a whole world of nature to explore.
The Wind In The Willows - 90th Anniversary picture book version ( paperback)
£7.99
A stylish foiled picture book adaptation - celebrating 90 years of E. H. Shepard's iconic original illustrations!
Story beautifully abridged by Timothy Knapman, perfect for 3 -6 year olds to introduce them to the classic story.
"Don't you know?" grinned Rat. "Oh, Mole! There is nothing half so much fun as simply messing about in boats!" A world of wonders awaits Mole as he emerges from his little underground home one spring day.
He discovers the sights and delights of the river aboard Rat's rowing boat. He ventures into the Wild Wood, home to kindly Badger. In the company of fun-loving Toad, he feels the thrill of the open road.
But Mole soon learns that where there is Toad, there is trouble. Toad has a dangerous new hobby, and Mole and his friends must use all their wits and courage to keep him from disaster! Kenneth Grahame's delightful characters, Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad, have entertained generations of children.
The Worst Sleepover in the World, Sophie Dahl ( children's book July 2023)
£7.99
A playful picture book exploring the hilarious complications of first friendships. Ramona is having her best friend Gracie to stay the night. It's their first ever sleepover and she wants to make a den, read stories, dance like a wild thing, stay up all night and have a midnight feast.It'll be the BEST SLEEPOVER IN HISTORY. But nothing quite goes to plan. Will Gracie, Ramona and her little sister Ruby be able to solve their problems and still be friends in the morning?
There's Nothing Cuter Than a Puppy, Tom Nicolls ( paperback April 2024)
£7.99
Dress to impress with There's Nothing Cuter Than a Puppy, a laugh-out-loud full-colour picture book from award-winning, bestselling Ross Collins and Tom Nicoll. Donkeys in dungarees, walruses in woolly waistcoats, hyenas in hoop skirts . .
. The Cutest Creature Contest is full of tough competition!But there can only be one winner and there's nothing cuter than a puppy!Or is there . .
.?Author Tom Nicoll and award-winning illustrator Ross Collins promise glitz, glamour and goofiness galore in this hilarious picture book with special cameos from familiar faces.
Tiny McToot, Barry Falls ( paperback Sept 2024)
£7.99
From acclaimed picture book maker Barry Falls, a pitch-perfect story about being GIANT . . .even when you’re tiny! Tiny the giant lives in a shoe, and as the smallest giant in the land, he is always overlooked. But, when a HUGE and dastardly troll comes along, could it be Tiny’s diminutive size (along with his HUGE courage) that saves the day? A joyfully exuberant rhyming story about being seen, heard and accepted – however small you may be! From the critically acclaimed creator of It’s Your World Now, Dare We Be Dragons and Alone!, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2022.
To The Other Side, Erika Meza ( paperback 2023)
£8.99
To The Other Side explores the journey of two young refugee children in search of safety. Perfect for opening up conversations about conflict and war, encouraging empathy and understanding. A young boy and his older sister have left home to play a game.To win, she tells him, they must travel across endless lands together and make it to the finish line. Each child imagines what might be waiting for them across the border: A spotted dog? Ice cream! Or maybe a new school. But the journey is difficult, and the monsters are more real than they imagined.
And when it no longer feels like a game, the two children must still find a way to forge ahead, and reach the other side. A stunning, symbolic and emotionally rich picture book about the spirit and strength it takes to leave your home behind. Beautifully brought to life by author-illustrator Erika Meza.
Tractors Have … Wings? (board book Jan 2025)
£7.99
Tractors have wings, don't they? And trains . . . run on water? That can't be right!Turn the peep-through pages to transform vehicles back to how they should look. Little ones will HOOT with laughter at the mixed-up pairings - from trains that run on water to cars that zoom through outer space! With dry, humorous text and a surprise flap on the final page! A hilariously interactive introduction to first concepts.
Usborne : All About Worries and Fears, Felicity Brooks
£9.99
There can be a lot to worry about when you are little, from monsters under the bed to Monday's maths test, but one person's scary spider is another's perfect pet, so how can we learn to stop everyday fears and worries from growing out of proportion or even overwhelming us? This book helps children understand why we have different fears and worries and the physical effects they can have on our bodies. It then offers all sorts of fun and helpful activities and strategies to help manage and even overcome them.
Now only available in paperback
What Do People Do All Day? By Richard Scarry ( paperback picture book)
£8.99
Richard Scarry's classic has been a favourite with children the world over for 50 years. Share the magic of Scarry's Busytown with this beautiful anniversary edition. This special anniversary edition celebrates the 50th anniversary of a beloved Scarry classic.
Packed with things to spot on every page, What Do People Do All Day? is beautiful, fun and a favourite with children of all ages. Everyone is busy in Busytown - from train drivers to doctors, from mothers to sailors, in police stations and on fire engines. Follow lots of busy people working through their busy days! Captain Salty and his crew are getting ready to go on a voyage; Doctor Lion is busy at the hospital; Sergeant Murphy is working hard to keep things safe and peaceful; and engineers are building new roads.
Packed full of activity and funny details to discover, this celebration of Busytown and its inhabitants will keep curious minds occupied for hours on end! Perfect for ages 3 and up.
Also available as hardback for £14.99
What Happened To You? James Catchpole & Karen George ( April 2021)
£7.99
The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to. What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . .. what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer? A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.
What Makes Me a Me? by Ben Faulks ( picture book)
£7.99
Ben Faulks is best known as Mr Bloom from CBeebies. This charming book celebrates how different we all are in a humorous and inquisitive way.
Who am I?I ask myself. What makes me a ME?I think hard with all my might,And look around to see. What makes you a you? Are you like a sports car - lightning fast? Or maybe you're like a tree ...
Do your arms stick out like branches? No? Then perhaps you're like a snail - very slow (especially when it's time for school!). A funny and thought-provoking look at what makes us us, from Ben Faulks (known as Mr Bloom from CBeebies) and David Tazzyman (bestselling illustrator of You Can't Take an Elephant on the Bus). Guaranteed to feed the imagination, this celebration of being who we are is perfect for inquisitive (and inventive!) little minds.
Wilderness, Steve McCarthy ( paperback Sept 2023)
£7.99
his is a real adventure book, so be careful not to get too lost between its pages... The Vasylenko family are adventurers. They all love the wet and the wild, the thrill of exploring the outside world.All that is ... except Oktober. He prefers the warm and safe comfort of the inside world, and for his adventures to take place between the pages of a book.
But tomorrow, Oktober has to join his family on a trek into the slimy, grimy and climby wild, where he sees only danger and worry and fears a creature called "The Wilderness"! Failing to keep his wits about him could be dangerous though – it may even get him a bit ... lost. But perhaps getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find himself and maybe even make an unexpected friend.
The Wilderness is a wild and wondrous story of true bravery and discovering friendship in the most unexpected of places, perfect for adventurers and the more timid alike.
You Can’t Take An Elephant on Holiday ( paperback May 2021)
£7.99
BRILLIANTLY FUNNY' - Abi Elphinstone
Imagine playing minigolf with meerkats or building a sandcastle with an armadillo! And don't even think about eating candyfloss when there's an albatross about! Jam-packed with crazy creatures, this brilliant new book from the creators of You Can't Take an Elephant on the Bus, You Can't Let an Elephant Drive a Digger and You Can't Call an Elephant in an Emergency is riotous, laugh-out-loud fun!
You Choose, Pippa Goodhart (paperback)
£7.99
Imagine you could go anywhere, meet anyone and do anything. Where would you live? Where would you sleep? Who would be your friends? What games would you play? Go on . .
. you choose! With the help of Nick Sharratt's wonderfully detailed illustrations, Pippa Goodhart explores a whole range of scenarios where choosing is made fun! This is a timeless classic which children will love to return to again and again - and there's something new to find on every read!
One of our most popular classics, encouraging chat and observation.
