science, friendship and a great idea for night-time adventure

science, friendship and a great idea for night-time adventure

ages toddler up to 7 or 8 years old
Ollie is the kind of kid who keeps on trying, who is determined and still thoughtful. He’s the kind of kid who other kids will be able to relate to. And he has the kind of experiences that many kids will be able to remember from their own lives. But Ollie is trying to work out the wind and when he figures out that the wind just wants to play, he takes a whole new approach. 

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the power of wishing

the power of wishing

This very beautiful picture book is about Rose, who is  “a new face in a new street.”  It's a daunting prospect for anyone, young or old. This is a book that adults will love to look at and read aloud, for the gentle reminders they’ll find as much as the sheer loveliness of it.

ages 2 to grown-up 

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tremendous hope permeates this important story

tremendous hope permeates this important story

Using an imagined conversation between God and Harriet Tubman, this book tells the true story of how Harriet found her way to freedom from slavery - and how she helped so many others to do the same. It’s just lovely to settle into and let the words and pictures swirl about as they do a very important work. 
ages 4 to grownup
 

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the perfect book for aspiring guinea pig owners!

the perfect book for aspiring guinea pig owners!

Written by Dick King-Smith (Babe, The Water Horse, the Sophie series), I Love Guinea Pigs is part personal reminiscing, part how-to, part general information, and completely captivating for young guinea-pig owners or aspiring owners.
ages baby to about 12 years

 

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trauma and conflict, love and courage, despair and hope

trauma and conflict, love and courage, despair and hope

Set in Israel, there's an overwhelming sense of 'if only' when you reach the end of this beautiful book .... If only … children really could lead the world to peace. If only … all the walls, real and metaphorical,could come tumbling down. If only … we could heal the wounds of war.
ages 4 years to grownup

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My Two Blankets: the transforming power of friendship

My Two Blankets: the transforming power of friendship

My Two Blankets is a charming story about a young girl who ‘came to this country to be safe’ and the way she was able to reclaim a safe, happy and loved childhood. Positive, enlightening, it engages on many, many fronts.

ages early childhood to teen

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the beauties and agonies of separation and connection, hope and fear, home and war

the beauties and agonies of separation and connection, hope and fear, home and war

ages 5 years to grownup
Set in Australia. There’s something special about Anzac Day—the cool early morning spent standing with a crowd at the Dawn Service, family breakfasts, and of course Anzac Biscuits to nibble on all day.

And the sense of privilege and peace that comes with living in a free and protected country.

As is true of all war stories, Anzac Biscuits is pretty horrific, but a story that must be told: to remember history, to notice everyday blessings and to understand sacrifice. It does a particularly lovely job of the noticing everyday blessings and understanding sacrifice parts. 

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