Alexandra Colombo – illustratör

In Freddy, the Happiest Penguin, Freddy the Penguin learns the secret to turning grumbles into giggles by training his brain to focus on the good. This motivational picture book by Dr. Daniel Amen, New York Times bestselling author and board-certified child psychiatrist, offers children and their families tools to build stronger minds, better moods, and healthier relationships.Freddy the Penguin wasn’t always the happiest resident in Happy Harbor. In fact, he used to be downright grumpy—until he met Pearl, a wise and cheerful crab, who taught him the secret to happiness: focus on what you like, not what you don’t. Through fun exercises, daily habits, and a lot of practice, Freddy learns how to find joy in the little things, strengthen his friendships, and even tackle challenges with self-confidence.Packed with practical tools, this book is more than just a story—it’s perfect for kids (and parents!) who want to learn how to grow a happy brain.Freddy, the Happiest Penguin:Teaches Kids Brain Health: Freddy’s journey shows children how to focus on the good, build resilience, and develop a happier mindset—skills they’ll carry for life.Fun and Relatable Story: With lovable characters and humorous moments, kids will laugh, learn, and see themselves in Freddy’s challenges and triumphs.Practical Life Lessons: Packed with easy-to-follow exercises, this story doubles as a toolkit for teaching kids how to handle tough emotions and grow a “happy brain.”Strengthens Friendships and Kindness: Freddy’s transformation inspires kids to be kinder to themselves and others, fostering stronger relationships.Perfect for Families and Classrooms: A heartwarming read-aloud that sparks meaningful conversations about positivity, teamwork, and finding joy in everyday life.

He is Ireland’s most famous warrior, a legendary figure who has enchanted children for millennia. But who really was Fionn Mac Cumhaill? And what was he like when he was a child? Find out in this wonderful, modern retelling of an ancient tale, which includes well-known myths like the Salmon of Knowledge and the Dragon of Tara.

The Wrong Cat allows children to apply their phonics learning from Year 1, Summer 1, Week 2 of Essential Letters and Sounds.Engaging fiction and non-fiction fully aligned to each week of Essential Letters and Sounds, allowing children to consolidate their phonic knowledge through reading in context. These fully decodable readers are 100% matched to the phonic progression of Essential Letters and Sounds. These readers complement your existing decodable readers from Oxford University Press and can be used alongside them to support the teaching of Essential Letters and Sounds.Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) is a Department for Education validated synthetic phonics programme, developed by the Knowledge Schools Trust English Hub to help children learn to read quickly and confidently.Structured around daily lessons and matched to the progression of the original Letters and Sounds framework, ELS provides a clear, systematic approach to phonics. Each stage is supported by engaging decodable books, interactive resources, and practical guidance for parents and teachers.Used in classrooms across the UK, ELS is designed to build fluent readers, confident speakers, and willing writers. Affordable, flexible, and easy to implement, it works seamlessly with existing resources while offering everything needed to support children's literacy journey both at school and at home.

Teagan at the Playground allows children to apply their phonics learning from Year 1, Autumn 1, Week 3 of Essential Letters and Sounds.Engaging fiction and non-fiction fully aligned to each week of Essential Letters and Sounds, allowing children to consolidate their phonic knowledge through reading in context. These fully decodable readers are 100% matched to the phonic progression of Essential Letters and Sounds. These readers complement your existing decodable readers from Oxford University Press and can be used alongside them to support the teaching of Essential Letters and Sounds.Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) is a Department for Education validated synthetic phonics programme, developed by the Knowledge Schools Trust English Hub to help children learn to read quickly and confidently.Structured around daily lessons and matched to the progression of the original Letters and Sounds framework, ELS provides a clear, systematic approach to phonics. Each stage is supported by engaging decodable books, interactive resources, and practical guidance for parents and teachers.Used in classrooms across the UK, ELS is designed to build fluent readers, confident speakers, and willing writers. Affordable, flexible, and easy to implement, it works seamlessly with existing resources while offering everything needed to support children's literacy journey both at school and at home.

The “almosts” are ruining Abby’s life! She’s almost tall enough. She’s almost a star student. She’s almost first in line... and on and on it goes. So why even bother entering the science competition? The almosts will ruin it anyway. But what if Abby is wrong? Maybe the almosts can actually be a good thing...?Feeling disappointment is a part of life, and Janet Sumner Johnson tackles that feeling with force in this inspirational picture book. In her signature child-friendly text, Johnson highlights the importance of seeing positives in every situation and using a growth mindset to live your best life.

Ruff the dog loves to run. But his owner, Raff, can't keep up and has to sit down on a rock. Will Ruff be able to get Raff up and back home in time for dinner? (Letter-sounds featured: r h b f ff l) Ruff Runs is part of the Rocket Phonics systematic synthetic phonics programme from Reading Planet. Rocket Phonics ensures that every child achieves phonics success. This fully-decodable Target Practice reading book provides focused practice of a small group of letter-sounds. The book also includes useful notes and activities to support reading in school and at home as well as comprehension questions to check understanding. Reading age: 4-5.

A moving story of friendship, family, and the importance of empathy from award-winning author Nicole Melleby, expertly rendered with vibrant, expressive illustrations from Alexandra Colombo.Sunny does not like cats—especially Oswaldo. He’s cranky and mean.Sunny’s dad loves Oswaldo. She does not understand why.When Oswaldo doesn’t come home one day, Sunny is happy. But her dad is sad.Sunny wants her dad to be happy, so she helps him look for Oswaldo.But can Sunny and Oswaldo ever get along?

When young Ellie is assigned a completely unfamiliar vegetable as part of a school cooking and gardening competition, she discovers that her friends are eager to lend help and advice from their own culinary cultures. This picture book for ages 6 to 8  spotlights how a gracious balance between competition and cooperation can lead to a winning result.Ellie is determined to win the class gardening and cooking competition. And why wouldn’t she? She’s an expert chef, of course.Then she is assigned eggplant as her main ingredient and isn’t even sure what an eggplant is. Do eggplants hatch eggs? Can she make it into an omelet? A soufflé ? A cake?Ellie realizes she is completely stumped and must accept that maybe she isn't an expert at everything. Her friends are generous with their help, and together they create a winning entry none of them could have done alone.

A Sydney Taylor Honor Book"Readers won’t be able to keep their own bodies still as they join in this joyfully intersectional romp." —Kirkus Reviews"This inclusive picture book is recommended for libraries with Jewish holiday picture book collections."—Association of Jewish LibrariesMy Body Can showcases all the different talents bodies have throughout the year.Inclusive of a variety of body types and abilities, the body-positive message affirms that everyone is beautiful, powerful, and can do amazing things. Jewish holiday celebrations including Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu b'shvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot are featured.

"Imbued with Jewish meaning...Just the thing to turn scaredy-cats into caped crusaders." —Kirkus ReviewsZoey Zoombeck is afraid of lots of things, but when she receives a superhero cape for her birthday, she transforms into Zoey Zoombeck, Superhero!From stopping avalanches to rescuing runaway trains, Zoey faces danger with her cape and a little imagination . . . until she discovers that she can find her courage even without it. A humorous story of imagination and inner strength.