Our Books

How do we choose our books?

captivate and engage all ages
demand to be read aloud and re-read
allow children to make connections with their understanding of the world
play with convention
have quality illustrations which complement, support or extend the story
support rich and varied exposure to language structures and vocabulary
have quality portrayals of characters from a range of backgrounds and experiences that reflect modern society.

A First Book of the Sea
A First Book of the Sea by Nicola Davies is a spellbinding collection of poems that explores the wonders and mysteries of the sea. The book takes readers on a journey through the different moods and seasons of the sea, celebrating its power, majesty, and the creatures that inhabit it.
Author: Nicola Davies
Nicola Davies spent years as a field biologist before joining the BBC Natural History Unit as a researcher and then presenter. Underlying all Nicola’s writing is the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human. Nicola’s superpower is writing narrative non-fiction in a way young children will understand. To find out more about Nicola, check out her website.
Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Emily Sutton has become a true icon of modern-day illustration. Her images are a visual treat inspired by vintage children’s books, folk art and the wildlife and vistas of the Yorkshire countryside where she lives. To find out more about Emily, check out her website.

A First Book of Dinosaurs
In these pages, you’ll find dinosaurs of every shape and size, from long necked leaf-munchers, as big as buses, to little feathery fighters with beaks and all the rest in between. Simon Mole turns fascinating facts into poems and fragments of performative text in free verse. The language is rich and evocative enough to send these prehistoric beasts thundering off the page.
Author: Simon Mole
Simon Mole is an acclaimed children’s poet. He is a National Poetry Day Ambassador, with over ten years’ experience using rap and poetry in community and education settings. He is a seasoned performer who regularly tours the UK, including shows at Southbank Centre, Hay Literary Festival, Latitude Festival and many more! You can write a poem with Simon in just ten minutes right now on YouTube.
Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Matt Hunt started out as a fine artist, from these roots, he developed a love for children’s illustration. Matt works in mixed media, utilising paint, pens, crayons and digital. He’s influenced by old movies and cartoons. To learn more about Matt and how he works, check out his website.

Look Up
In this brilliant picture book we meet science-mad Rocket, a little girl with big dreams. Rocket wants to be the greatest "astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller" who has ever lived, just like her hero Mae Jamison - the first female African American astronaut. Sprinkled with facts about meteors and space, this book presents a gorgeous representation of family, sibling relationships and one girl's infectious enthusiasm.
Author: Nathan Bryon
Nathan Bryon is an award-winning actor and writer who has written for BAFTA wining children’s TV shows such asSwashbuckleand the critically acclaimedRastamouse.He has an energy and a way of telling stories that will make you smile! His work puts underrepresented communities front and centre.
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Dapo Adeola is a genius with his pen. This award-winning illustrator and designer creates character and images that challenge expectations around race and gender in a fun and up-beat way