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The Friendship Bench by Wendy Meddour ill. Daniel Egneus

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Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog. But when it is time to start her new school, Shadow and Mummy must stay outside. And inside is full of strangers. ‘Why don’t you try The Friendship Bench?’ says her teacher, when Tilly is playing alone. ‘It helps children find new friends to play with.’ But when Tilly gets there, somebody is already on it . . .

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The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 Mar 2022

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When Nyla has to leave her home in the countryside to start life again in the city, all she can think about is everything she misses from before. So when a comet comes crashing through the city streets and starts to glow and grow, Nyla can’t resist a chance to head somewhere that feels closer to what she had before. But what starts as an escape could be just the thing to make her finally feel at home.

From the award-winning Joe Todd-Stanton, comes an exquisite and heartfelt picture book touching on the bewildering experience of moving house. This beautiful story explores how this can affect a child’s sense of belonging, but also how it can open them up to new and wonderful experiences.

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Dear Treefrog by Joyce Sidman ill. Diana Sudyka

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 30 Jun 2021

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“The language in these poems is simple but not ­simplistic: “I hope you are / somewhere / safe / ­Treefrog // holding on tight / with those grippy toes / riding your / snug saddle of leaves.” Each entry crafts a single episode; together the poems construct a clear narrative arc. Appended with a four-part discussion, nicely organized with pertinent headings, about treefrogs and their survival. Altogether lovely.” Horn Book
“Sudyka’s bold lines and vivid watercolor palette paint an immersive, verdant world, with occasional color pops. Whimsical flourishes often blur the child’s real and imaginary worlds while concealed in the illustrations are names of birds, bugs, flowers, and more for young scientists to discover.” KIRKUS
“This artful picture book seamlessly blends science, poetry, and mindfulness, encouraging little ones to get outside, slow down, and look closely at what’s around them.” Booklist

When a shy girl moves to a strange new home, she discovers a treefrog perched in a secret spot nearby and learns that sometimes all it takes to connect with the people and the world around us is a little patience, a curious mind, and a willingness to see the world through a different perspective than your own.

With beautiful gouache illustrations by Diana Sudyka and magical, perceptive poems from Newbery Honor winning author Joyce Sidman, the lives of tree frog and girl converge

The Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medalist Joyce Sidman is one of America’s foremost nature poets for children. Accolades for her books include two Caldecott Honors, a Lee Bennet Hopkins Award, winner of the Claudia Lews Award, and many stars and best of lists. For her award-winning body of work, she won the Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She lives in Wayzata, Minnesota.
Diana Sudyka‘s paintings are largely informed by a deep passion for the natural world. She has illustrated several volumes of the award-winning book series The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart  as well as the picture books like What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyaviary/
Follow the author on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joycesidman/

“When I discovered gray treefrogs in my yard, I became obsessed with finding and taking pictures of them. I didn’t end up using photos in my book, but the act of seeking them out and capturing them digitally helped me study their habits and understand them.” Joyce Sidman

Penny and the Little Lost Puppy by Emily Sutton

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Times Children’s Book of the Week 10 Apr 2021

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“A touching story that unpacks the pain of moving house for children.” The Times

Emily Sutton’s author-illustrator debut (she is already a well-known illustrator of other people’s books)  features one adorable little dog!
Moving home can feel a bit lonely, so Penny can’t believe her luck when she finds a new friend right in her garden: a puppy who wants to play all day long! But the next morning, Penny’s playmate is nowhere to be seen … wherever can she have gone? To find out, Penny and Dad will have to get to know their new town a little better. Here is a story about making friends and finding ways to belong, matching a gentle text with spectacular, detailed artwork.