Amber Stewart – författare

Wherever Louis goes, a big, rumbling, grey cloud of noise goes with him. His response to everyday challenges is to shout, causing his friends to play on the other side of the playground. One day, a new girl called Serenity comes to school. Serenity has a sunny smile, and she teaches Louis how to use his words nicely.

Freya loves to be in the thick of it all. She is the first with her hand up to answer questions at school and is often the leader during games at breaktime. And for that very reason, she never likes to go to bed – in case she misses out on something fun. Eventually, with a bit of help and creativity, she learns a good bedtime routine, helping her gradually wind down as the evening progresses, so that she is very sleepy as her head hits the pillow and her nightlight goes on. This book emphasises the importance of a good bedtime routine, which includes bath, brushed teeth, PJs on, and a few bedtime books – and introduces the idea that reading to and with your young children for just 15 minutes a day can be a game-changer educationally.

Serenity is very good at sharing things. She is happy to divide the play clay or the paint pots to share with the other kids at kindergarten. But when her mum has a new baby and the new baby shares her space and – more importantly – her mum’s attention, Serenity finds it much harder to share. She shares her fears with her mum, and feels much better, realising that there is more than enough love at home to go around.

Ollie doesn’t like eating different types of food – it might be too crunchy, too squishy, or too close together. One day, when Ollie lacks energy for his favourite game of T-ball, he realises that there is a link between food and energy, and being healthy and strong. If he is going to dream of becoming a world-class ball player, he might need to change his eating habits!

Life's Little Lessons is a series of six titles, exploring key topics in a young child's life. Muddy Hands, Clean Hands explores good dirt and bad dirt, and how to avoid passing on germs. Rey is a complete whiz-kid, and her wheelchair is state of the art. She loves to play outside, splashing through puddles, and the neighborhood park. Rey’s younger sister Emily is worried about germs— she hangs back and won’t join in. At school, she learns about good dirt through gardening, the benefits of fresh air, and how this can stop you from getting sick. Together Emily and her friends learn about everyday hygiene and not sharing germs: catch a sneeze and toss it, wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating, or helping in the kitchen. Knowing the difference between good dirt and how to avoid passing on everyday germs gives Emily the confidence to join in the fun.This is an important topic and reinforces how to stay healthy. Great for use in classrooms or at home with a parent or caregiver.

Life’s Little Lessons is a series of six titles, exploring key topics in a young child’s life.Luna’s Fabulous Family reassures those children experiencing family separations and divorce. It reinforces parental/child love—even though all families are different, and sometimes things change, love is constant.This is an important topic and great for use in classrooms or at home with a parent or caregiver.