Samuel Langley-Swain – författare

When herds of excited animals line up to audition for a new show, the swan ballerinas are a little too quick to judge their abilities. This fun rhyming romp celebrates the richness of diversity and shows that being different is always cool. A story that champions those that might get picked last with their strengths often unseen, but who have lots of heart and unique talents to boot. Get ready to laugh, cheer and maybe even dance along with this colourful cast of characters that shows, no matter who you are, you deserve the chance to shine!

Arlo visited Nana every Sunday, and she would always have new sweets waiting for him inside a special jar. So when Arlo finds out Nana has passed away, he keeps the jar with him to feel safe and closer to his Nana. But as his sadness turns to anger, a storm builds inside the jar, until Arlo has enough and smashes it open! What will happen when the storm rushes out? A story that encourages children to talk about bereavement and anger, and explore ways to manage, embrace, and safely release them. It also includes a science experiment, and a guide to make a 'glitter jar' to help with anger. AGES: 3 to 5 AUTHOR: Samuel Langley-Swain is an adoptive dad and author, and the founder of Owlet Press a publishing house that produces picture books by authors and illustrators who, like Samuel, want to create positive change for children. Through stories they can relate to, and packaging big issues for small readers into picture books, children can digest and discuss relevant issues with friends, families and schools preparing them for adult life.

An exciting lift-the-flap adventure board book.

Ollie and Grace hate brushing their teeth, and plan to trick the tooth fairies by creating fake teeth out of sugar cubes and putting them under their pillows. But when they get found out they are marched to the Royal Mint to face the Chief Tooth Fairy - who tells them all about the dastardly Sugarplum Pixies, and she also likes to play nasty tricks...

Having lost a few teeth before, Ollie and Grace know the routine of leaving their teeth out for the tooth fairies to collect and swap for coins, but one morning they wake up to find nothing! Grandpa suspects those sneaky Teeth Takers are at play, creeping around in their fluffy slippers. When they take a trip to The Royal Mint to investigate further, they see the rotten Teeth Takers sneak in! But this time, the dragon keeping watch has other ideas...

A heartfelt Christmas story of friendship and belonging, centered around the unbreakable bond between a boy and a bear, with a message about sustainability at the heart. Due to his autism, Arctic-enthusiast Arthur does not like Christmas, the noise, the lights, and the crowds. He keeps his precious toy polar bear close for security, but after losing him and asking Father Christmas for a new one, he wakes up to find a REAL polar bear in his garden! Arthur names his new friend Bjo rn, and in spite of his best efforts to keep him cold and happy, it soon becomes clear that he needs to help his friend return to where he belongs. Time for some more Christmas magic . . .

As a prince's endless greed leads to a frozen curse from a beautiful witch, he embarks on a quest to make things right. In his darkest hour, the hope of a magical star and the kindness of others, shows the prince that the greatest gift of all is not found in material things, but in the joy of sharing and the warmth of friendship. From the author of 'Santa's Wish' and 'Where Bjorn Belongs' this latest Christmas story not only inspires sharing and selflessness in the festive season, it also invites readers to think about how they can make their own stories by blending well-known tales.

For children, this book helps readers express their emotions, and to recognise there'll be happy days and sad days, but that love endures. For adults, this book delivers much more - Inspired by author's journey in therapy with his adopted chlildren, this sensitive story centres around the pressure children can feel to be 'perfect' and explores 'toxic positivity' that may arise from well-meaning parents who instantly try to 'fix' everything. As parents, we often forget to take the time to really listen, but this book helps to create a safe space where children can vocalise their worries, bringing families closer together, in readiness for life's tougher moments.

Sparking creativity for all, this book invites readers to draw, write, and talk about the “what-ifs” and “how-comes.” It’s a storytelling revolution that turns reluctant readers into eager explorers and pushes young book lovers to create memorable stories of their own. This unusual rhyming journey through a world of dynamic story starters, was created in collaboration with twelve illustrators, to excite and engage everyone from avid book lovers, to the most reluctant readers. Children at home will ask for the book again and again, reliving their adventure across every contrasting page. In school environments this book is used by teachers in Key stages 1 and 2 to engage reluctant readers and writers, inspiring them to write creatively and map stories using the fun and disruptive content. Other more able writers in school extend their stories into fully illustrated poems. This book is a great tool for anyone who wants to reignite the imaginative wonder in the mind of their child/student.

All the weasels in Westburrow Wood are supposed to follow the rules and fit in. So, imagine their confusion when they meet Wesley, a wacky weasel, who is obsessed with clothes! As the other weasels plot and protest against Wesley, readers will be eager to find out what happens when Wesley escapes to the city and leaves the wood feeling much less colourful. An LGBT dad of two, Wesley was the first text Samuel penned, inspired by his youth growing up in a small Welsh village and being teased and ostricised due to his fashion and outwardly flamboyant nature. Illustrated by Ryan Sonderegger, a young dad of three from Utah, USA. He has a successful career in special effects for TV and his new passion for illustration hasearned him over 25,000 followers on Instagram. This book was selected by Save The Children for their 2020 #savewithstories, campaign and read by welsh actor Luke Evans. It was also chosen by Giovanna Fletcher to read on as a bedtime story for her happymumhappybaby instgram channel.

The Gifts That Grow is a tale of generational love expressed through the importance of nurturing our environment for future generations to enjoy, even though we may never benefit from its rewards ourselves.

A loved tradition, rewritten for today.

In the valleys of Wales, everyone at The Royal Mint is hard at work, making coins. But one night, a baby red dragon hatches from a magical egg! The makers name him Dilwyn and take care of him until he’s big enough to guard their coins. Every night Dilwyn sleeps high up in the rafters keeping watch; until two robbers foolishly try to break in . . .

The second title in this modern-day Tooth Fairy adventure.

A lift-the-flap adventure to find the little Tooth Fairy!

‘Just like all ring-tailed lemurs, Maki liked to bathe in the sun and huddle under the moon. BUT one thing Maki DIDN’T like to do, was LISTEN!’ Join Maki on his adventures through the Madagascan forest, where things may not be as they seem. Can clever chameleon, Sofina, help Maki to listen when it matters the most? For children, this charming story is about a loveable lemur who learns to listen. For adults, the text explores neurodiverity, demand avoidance and alternative parenting styles.

Christmas is the perfect time to really inject a little magic and optimism in to the world. Santa's Wish follows a structure of 14 rhyming couplet verses similar to that of the traditional Christmas Eve story - 'Twas the night before Christmas. It has a very heart-warming and special Christmas message of kindness and thoughtfulness to share with young readers. The story aims to encourage children their and families to think beyond what they ‘want’ for Christmas and to think more about what they can ‘do’ for Christmas, to share with others in the spirit of ‘Santa’s wish’.

An accessible, warm-hearted story, written by an adoptive parent, centred around two young bears who find themselves out in the cold, alone, and begin their journey to being adopted into a forever family. The story acknowledges the mix of emotions children being adopted can feel - the fear and worry, as well as the joy of experiencing love and kindness from their new carers. With appealing animal characters and beautiful illustrations, The Blanket Bears offers an honest yet gentle account of the complete adoption journey for children starting or trying to understand the process. It's also a great introduction to young children more widely about how the process of adoption works and how some families come to be together. In order the strike the right balance of accuracy and sensitivity for young readers, the author consulted and collaborated with professionals and psycholigists as well as drawing on the lived experiences of his children. Many children's books about adoption focus purely on adapting into the new family but this has a more holistic and realistic focus, all from a child's perspective. This book is perfect for primary schools in early years and key stage 1 to help children empathise with their adopted peers. Social workers, foster carers and adoptive families with younger children often use The Blanket Bears as a soft and sensitive warm up to life story work as it helps adopted children feel less alone and process their own adoption story through their shared experiences with the bears in the story. Endorsed by Adoption UK, recommended by clinical psychologists.