EK Books – serie

A little girl helps her neighbourhood connect with each other in thistouching story about friendship, inclusion and sharing.Do you ever feel like you can see the whole world, but no one can seeyou? Hidden amongst the leaves of a fig tree, a young girl watches as thepeople in her street busily go about their day, disappearing into their homesor cars without looking up. She tries to get the neighbours’ attention as shemoves through the branches, but no one notices. As the girl watches herneighbours, she wonders how she can get them to see her – and everyone elsearound them. A plan begins to form, involving generosity, kindness, and a lotof figs …Hidden is a heart-warming story which shows how one child’s idea has the powerto build relationships and bring a whole community together. In a time whenmany people feel disconnected and isolated, this story is an important reminderthat everyone – young and old – deserves to be seen, included and feel a senseof belonging in their community. Full of hope and heart, Hidden is the perfect way to introducelittle readers to the importance of sharing and treating everyone withkindness.

Sometimes, when the world doesn’t make sense, we have to find our own way. Just like Spot the dot.Meet Spot. A simple dot. A dot from what? Poor Spot forgot. Spot the Dot tells the story of a little dot trying to find where he fits in. When he realizes he’s forgotten where he came from, Spot goes on a journey of discovery, trying out all kinds of things to uncover his place in the world. Is Spot a lost sentence ending period? Or did he fall from a mushroom top? Along the way, Spot finds that there are many wonderful places where he might belong.Simple, rhythmic and with graphic illustrations, Spot the Dot is a universal story about belonging and our individual search for meaning.

Meet Isla, Sophie, Dominik, James and Rashida — Scottish children representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies our beautiful country. They will take you through a year in the life of Scottish kids, from celebrations to traditions to events, to our everyday way of life and the little things that make childhood so memorable. They are our Scottish childhood.A Scottish Year is a picture book bursting with national pride. It is a snapshot of who we are as a nation, blending our modern-day culture and lifestyle with past traditions and strong heritage. Its pages feature meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations, showcasing our five Scottish children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying the sights and sites of Scotland — from our heather-strewn Highlands to our historical cities, pristine outer islands and charming rural towns.

Celebrating new ideas that can make a world of difference, Jørn’s Magnificent Imagination is the true story of Jørn Utzon, the architect of the world-renowned Sydney Opera House.Was it a sailboat, a seashell, a swan or an orange peel that inspired Jørn to design Australia’s most recognisable building? In this gorgeously illustrated story, we follow Jørn through childhood as he discovers his love of building and creating, gathering ideas from everything around himself. When he grows bigger, so do his ideas, and something begins to take shape… can you guess what it might be?Jørn’s story is about embracing dreams, believing in your own abilities, and the power of new ideas. Written in honour of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Opera House, it is also a topical springboard for educators and families into how the iconic landmark came to be. In celebrating the incredibly talented Jørn Utzon, it shows children that there are no limits to what they might achieve if they follow their dreams.In a world of screens and busyness, Jørn’s Magnificent Imagination is an important reminder of the joy in taking the time to dream and create, a reminder which might just benefit children and their carers alike. Charming and heart-warming, it will enthral and inspire young readers, encouraging them to look at the world around them and use their imagination to its full potential.

Bringing the mystery of metamorphosis to life, Grub is sure to delight insect-loving young readers with its realistic illustrations, gentle humour, and surprise ending. On the floor of the rainforest, far below the tree canopy, a small grub has a big question. Sensing that his body is about to change, he wonders what he will become, so he turns to his friends for answers. The ladybird, the cicada, the dragonfly and the monarch butterfly all describe what they looked like before they changed – and none looked like the grub. Eventually, the grub begins to change – and his transformation is spectacular!With realistic illustrations, vivid detail and gentle humour, Grub brings the habitat and life cycle of the Hercules beetle, and other insects that undergo metamorphosis, to life. The final reveal is sure to send young readers on a journey of discovery to learn more about the amazing Hercules beetle – one of the world’s largest – with its giant pincers.

This book is perfect for young readers just beginning to learn an instrument, particularly violin or cello, as well as for every parent or teacher helping them along the way. The story celebrates the joy of unexpected friendship through music, with appealing characters and carefully drawn settings of apartment living. Two children, two cultures, two instruments, and one piece of music; the inclusion of a playable tune is a bonus!

A fun, engaging story, perfect for children learning how to do something for the first time.Easy Peasy follows Ruby, who has just received her first pair of roller skates as a present from her dad. She’s convinced it will be easy peasy to learn how to roller skate and dismisses her dad when he offers to help her. But after a few tumbles, Ruby realises it isn’t as easy as she thinks and she might need her dad’s help after all. Author Ky Garvey was initially inspired by her son, who as a little boy loved his skateboard so much that he took it to bed with him every night like a teddy bear. But as she began to write, she remembered the joy of roller skating with her dad at the local rink every Saturday morning. As Ky puts it, ‘It was treasured time together and I wanted to reflect that relationship in my book.’Easy Peasy will delight skating-mad girls and patient parents while providing a lesson in independence and perseverance. And the hilarious, relatable illustrations by Amy Calautti add an extra dash of shiny, sparkly fun!

This funny, engaging eco story invites young readers to follow the adventures of Harriet's ravenous compost worms as they munch their way through their wide and wonderful weekly menu.Harriet's nine-hundred-and-eighty-three hungry worms live in a shady corner of her backyard in a big, green box. They spend their days munching on anything from Aunt Tilda's herbal teabags to the sports pages of Uncle Sam's paper. Harriet watches and waits, eventually deciding the worms are 'so BORING'. Until one day, the worms leave Harriet a big surprise ... worm wee!Packed with worm facts, Harriet's Hungry Worms is the ideal companion for worm warriors and curious composters keen to roll their sleeves up and put their kitchen food scraps to good use.Continuing the sustainability message, inventive illustrations incorporating recycled materials bloom from each page, breathing beautiful life into this fun-filled story.

Everyone enjoys the cosiness and friendliness of their favourite café . But what happens when the place you love suddenly changes? Mabel loves visiting Miss Plums Sugar Plum Café and drawing pictures for the arty-smarty wall. But one day, Mabel finds the café under renovation by someone new. She misses her favourite café , and she misses Miss Plums smiles. One day, the café reopens, and Mabel reluctantly visits there with her mother. Will this new place provide Mabel with the same joy she felt in the old place? And how will Mabel accept its differences?In The Welcome Cookies, Mabel witnesses what she perceives to be the destruction of a place she loved. The story shows how even though we can sometimes mourn the loss of a place and miss seeing people, if we open ourselves to new things, it can mean new beginnings and a chance for new friendships to develop. The story also shows how a child has the power to make someone feel special and welcome.With sensitive illustrations that give life to Mabels emotional responses, this book will have young and old alike wanting to visit their local café to taste the welcome cookies.

Patrick and Dad learn how to cope with their grief together in this beautifully illustrated, uplifting story about resilience, connection, and growth.When Patrick suffers a huge loss, he finds comfort in holding an acorn that drops at his feet. The more acorns he collects, the less empty he feels… but soon there are acorns hiding in cupboards, under the rug, and even in Dad’s work shoes. As the tide of acorns grows, Patrick’s belongings are buried under them, until all he has is… perhaps… too many acorns. Join Patrick and Dad as they learn how to cope with their overwhelming grief together, rediscovering the things that make them happy while holding their memories close. Through gentle language, illustrations and metaphor, Too Many Acorns explores big emotions in a way that is manageable and understandable for young readers. It is a heart-warming story about the ways we find to cope in the hardest times, perfect for sharing with little ones who are experiencing the loss of a loved one, or any other emotional upheaval.

Grumpy old Mrs Gooseberry from next door has lost her love. "I didn't know you could lose love," says Ella. So she begins her quest to find out what love looks like and how she can help Mrs Gooseberry to rediscover it. Her mother says love is like home-cooked pie. Her teacher says it's like lanterns in the night. Perhaps love might look like a little kitten...Ella and Mrs Gooseberry is an inspiring picture book about a child's understanding of love, selfless giving and how it makes you feel.

Her mother says you can’t see her daddy’s hurt because it’s inside his head. One in five adults experiences depression in their lifetime, but young children are often left in the dark when their mother or father suddenly can’t play like they used to.Together Things will resonate with the thousands of young children who know what it’s like to live with a parent experiencing mental illness, helping them to understand — in an age appropriate and sensitive way — that it is okay for them to feel mad or sad about their parent’s illness, but that, while their parent is getting better, they may have to do different things together to preserve their relationship, such as reading stories or drawing pictures, instead of the imaginative play their parent cannot currently envision through the haze of mental illness.Through wondrous illustrations and a compelling story, young children can understand the importance of mental health discussions and that sometimes they must adapt their interactions while the people in their lives focus on their mental health.

Catch up with a girl called Tomorrow — you better be quick because she’s always in a hurry! "You’ll catch up with the next day if you keep rushing," says Tomorrow’s mother. But when Tomorrow meets worrywart Yesterday and trips over thoughtful Today, her whole world begins to slow down.Tomorrow Girl is a quirky tale delivering a timely reminder about the importance of mindfulness and what can happen when we allow ourselves time to be in the moment amidst a modern-day rush. It’s brimming with wonderful teachable moments for children to reflect on how they can be more mindful in their everyday lives and discover new friendships just by being in the moment.

Worry Monster loves "helping" Archie worry, especially the night before he starts his new school. Archie feels so anxious that his head hurts, his tummy flutters and his heart pounds. He soon realizes the only way to feel better is to make Worry Monster go away. He does his belly breaths and faces facts to challenge his inner fears.Children have the potential to engage and empathise with Archie and Worry Monster both through the text and the subtle gestures and fleeting emotions captured in the beautiful illustrations. Encouraging children to name their anxiety is an evidence-based, current strategy used by psychologists to assist children in separating themselves from their anxiety.Go Away, Worry Monster! gives children this and other useful strategies to cope, showing them how to make their own Worry Monsters leave during stressful periods of their lives, from starting or changing schools, to a change in family dynamics. Created by an author and illustrator passionate about helping children to cope with common emotional difficulties, this is an invaluable, life-changing resource for young children and their parents in guiding emotional development.

Book lives at the library and desperately wants to go outside like the other books, but is intimidated by all the things that might happen ‘out there’. A page might get torn. Book’s cover might get dirty. Book might never be returned to the library!Meanwhile, little Emma loves visiting the library and delights in the many adventures to be had in the stories she finds there. When Emma meets Book, they find they are just what each other needs. Together, Book and Emma move out of their comfort zone to try new things, meet new people, and enjoy a fair few adventures — climbing trees, laughing in the rain, and even cheering along at a football match!On their adventures, Book and Emma discover that ‘out there’ needn’t be scary if you just take it one step at a time. A beautifully illustrated, inspirational tale, Scaredy Book shows the fun that is to be had when you stop letting worry hold you back. Children and parents alike will enjoy this story about being brave, taking risks, and living to tell the tale!

Words are everywhere! Come on this lively adventure to learn more about how they can be shortened, extended, and even switched around. Meet ugly words, colourful words, and words that just need a friend.The Art of Words is a unique, fun and interactive story about the magic of words. Two children and their adorable dog are illustrated playfully interacting with letters and words, and discovering myriad word functions and capabilities. Typography is a major feature and each page shows words that are scaled, coloured, and positioned to enhance their meaning and reflect the interplay of their verbal and visual aspects.At only 100 words, this ‘language through adventure’ book is intended to excite young children about language, especially the joy of words and their capabilities. Visually, it depicts an imaginative natural world with abundant greenery, stars, animals and flowers, and children engaging in sports, adventure and STEM! The illustrations aim to embrace and depict diversity in gender and race and cater to varied literacy levels. The font choices are simple and clear, to ensure beginning readers can engage confidently.Children, parents, carers and teachers alike will delight in this quirky celebration of the joy and power of words. Readers will come to appreciate the joy of making stories from words, and will be reminded that even books that teach can be fun!

In 2011, Dindim the Magellanic penguin, washed up on an island beach near Rio de Janeiro. He was rescued by a man called Joao, who nursed him back to health, and created a lifelong bond. Since then, Dindim has spent most of every year with Joao, leaving only to travel 8000 miles to the Patagonia coasts of Argentina and Chile. Where the Heart Is was inspired by this extraordinary true story.With beautiful prose and stunning illustrations, Dindim’s story will capture the hearts of young readers and adults alike. His journey across the ocean highlights both the little penguin’s intrepid nature and the variety of wildlife he meets along the way. From whales to albatross, children will discover the kaleidoscope of life that exists in the ocean.Where the Heart Is also offers a window into discussing big issues with young readers, such as the oil spill that almost killed Dindim, and the effects of climate change on animal habitats. Magellanic penguins are a near threatened species, and it is vitally important to increase our awareness of the dangers faced by these beautiful birds.Poignant, moving, funny and heartfelt, Dindim and Joao’s story is a celebration of friendship and nature. It explores the deep bond that can form between humans and animals, and encourages children to think more about the incredible animals who share our world.

Most children would say that the ocean is blue, but when Bowen looks at it he sees white where the waves crash, deep black on the ocean floor, and green when there’s a storm. He wonders whether fireflies are hot, and notices how the brushstrokes of a painting tell a story too. Bowen sees the world differently to other children and struggles to fit in. How will he find his place in the world?The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp follows the life of Bowen through school and beyond. At every stage, he finds that he doesn’t fit in with his peers, but this eventually becomes his greatest strength. Through thinking differently, he is able to solve problems that no one else could. After all, just because something can’t be mended the same as it was, why can’t it be mended differently?A very personal story, Bowen’s tale is sensitively written and full of colourful, lively illustrations. It aims to offer hope to children who haven’t yet found their place in life by showing them that being ‘normal’ might just be overrated, and that to find success in life we should be valuing our differences.Children, carers, teachers and psychologists alike will find inspiration in this tale of embracing diversity and engaging our full potential. It is a vital reminder that the strength and uniqueness of every child should be encouraged to help them find their place in the world and flourish!

Sam is tired of his toys. Why would he want his Grandma’s old trainset and teddy when there’s a toy factory high up in the clouds that makes rumbly red toys, grumbly green toys and so much more? In this important story about reducing waste and taking responsibility for the environment, Sam is about to find out.Toy Mountain is a quirky story about 5-year-old Sam’s chance to become a toy tester for the Tiny Hands Toy factory. After Sam signs up for his exciting new task, he quickly accumulates a pile of plastic, clunky toys, discarding the well-loved toys handed down to him from his Grandma. But one by one and plonk! by plonk!, his shiny new toys start to break. Soon enough, Sam has a mountain of broken toys that just won’t stop growing!This colourful and whimsically illustrated story highlights the waste that results from ‘consumer culture’, and the value of looking after our belongings. Inspired by the author’s childhood of hand-me-down toys, it empowers children to take sustainability into their own hands through their toy purchases. This is a vitally important message in a world where we generate 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic each year, 79% of which goes into landfill.Children and adults alike will find themselves cheering Sam along as he rescues his treasured old toys from being lost under a growing mound of broken plastic, and realises why they’re so special after all.

The award-winning team of Glyn Harper and Jenny Cooper share this poignant story about a Vietnam veteran and his relationship with his granddaughter. While the relationship is a positive one, the young girl senses her grandfather’s pain and is curious to find out the cause of it. As she innocently seeks answers, she unknowingly opens old wounds and discovers her grandfather’s sadness is a legacy of the Vietnam War and his experiences there. This is a sensitive exploration of the lingering cost of war and of the PTSD so many returned servicemen experience. Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Khe Sanh (the Vietnam War’s longest battle), it also sheds light on a war that is not always remembered in the same way that the world wars and other conflicts are. Many who served experience a sense of betrayal at the treatment they received on their return, as the conflict came to be regarded as the ‘unpopular’ war, and this is covered in a child-friendly way in a note at the back of the book.

Tottie and Dot are two little girls who live side by side. They love all the same things and are the perfect neighbours. Life is lovely and peaceful until, one day, the girls begin competing with each other to create the best house!As the story unfolds, jealousy takes hold and their competitive spirit gets increasingly out of control. Flamingos run around gardens, rollercoasters fly off their tracks, circuses turn into mayhem… until everything collapses in a disastrous heap! Will Tottie and Dot be able to salvage the situation by realising the importance of their friendship?Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully told, the story shines on the page. Each girl’s house is shown over a series of exquisitely illustrated double-page spreads — Tottie on the left and Dot on the right. The detailed illustrations perfectly complement the simple story line and will provide children aged 4–7 with hours of entertainment, as well as a valuable life lesson! Help children learn how to support each other instead of competing to ‘be the best’ with this gorgeous, funny, and thought-provoking book.

“This perfectly packaged simple tale is sweet and engaging, with a fun moral to tempt fussy eaters, and a little bit of learning about food in other cultures to top it off.”- Reading TimeMike the mouse isn’t like other mice. He just won’t eat cheese. Fortunately, his friend Ashley, the little girl who lives in the house, feeds him lots of tasty treats from all over the world. Mike loves sushi, pizza, crème brûlée, tacos, and more! But, hold on, don’t some those have cheese in them? Find out what happens when Ashley and her family go on holiday, and Mike has to try something new. He might be in for a surprise!This delightful picture book explores how even the fussiest eaters can be tempted to try new flavors. And, if you’re anything like Mike, you might find you develop quite a taste for international cuisine along the way!I Don’t Like Cheese was written by Hannah Chandler when she was just 11 years old, after her principal challenged her to write a book. She has big plans for Mike the mouse, so look out for even more adventures to come!

A fun, flip-over picture book for children that reads from both front and back. Smile/Cry is a unique picture book for young kids, showcasing the full emotional range of their formative years. Readers follow three adorable characters - piglet, bunny and cat - as they react emotionally to a variety of events and circumstances from everyday life. From an 'ate all the pies' smile to an 'ice-cream plopping down cry'; from a 'cosy under blanket smile' to a 'need a bandaid quick cry', children will empathize with the tear-jerking calamity of a popped balloon or lost toy, or feel the smiley warmth of a being tickled.It's the little things that touch the hearts of children the most, and Smile/Cry typifies both the small joys and challenges that are the essence of childhood. Young children will respond to the soft whimsical illustrations, as they learn more about the range of their emotions -- how it's possible to cry with happiness and also smile with trepidation. The clever 'flip book' format means that the 'Smile' story reads from front to back, while the 'Cry' story reads from back to front, with both delicious narratives meeting in the middle. A heartfelt picture book that will be treasured for years, Smile/Cry is perfect for ages 3 and upwards.

In these three delightful stories, fairies, ponies and ballerinas come out to play!In Dance with Me, a ballerina in a music box loves nothing more than to dance. But when the little girl who owns the box grows up, who will dance with the ballerina then? A gorgeous story about treasured possessions and the memories they hold.In Patch and Ruby, Patch the pony is lonely. Sometimes it feels as if he doesn't quite fit in on the farm. But one day something happens that changes his life forever. A wonderful tale about friendship and finding out where you belong.In The Great Sock Secret, Sarah's mother is tired of finding odd socks in the laundry basket. Where do all the missing socks go? Sarah knows. But her mother mustn't find out! A fantastical adventure into an imaginative fairy-filled(Warning: these fairies are seriously cool!)

Patch the pony is lonely. He spends time with everyone on the farm; from Ernie and Edith the friendly mice, to Beryl and her gossiping hens, even Lily and the ladybirds who look after the veggie garden. He especially loves time with his owner and special girl, Sam. But they all have families, or school, or other things Patch can’t join in with, leaving him feeling like he doesn’t quite fit in.Will Patch the lonely pony ever feel at home? See what happens when Sam has an idea and does something that changes Patch’s life forever! Life on the farm will never be the same again.Patch and Ruby is beautifully illustrated, with vibrant colours and gorgeous depictions of Patch and his friends. The story is meaningful, at times heart-warmingly funny, and ultimately about friendship and finding out where you belong.

A book sits abandoned on a living room shelf. While the Blossburn family happily gets on with other things like watching TV and playing video games, the book aches to be read. The longer it sits abandoned, the more it aches. At last the book can't take it any longer. Slowly it starts to swell. Then it starts to leak! At first it's only a small trickle, but eventually the Blossburns can no longer ignore the octopus, crabs and other marine life that are swirling around their suburban home. And when pirates sail out of the book, the family must band together to reclaim their living room. Can J.J. and his parents find a way to get the characters back in the book? And in the process, will they discover that sometimes books are the best fun of all? The Leaky Story is an action-packed adventure into the wonderful world of books, the power of the imagination, the art of storytelling and the importance of family.

Through the Gate tells the story of a young girl who has just moved house and is struggling to cope with all the changes in her life. Every day she plods to school, then comes home and looks forlornly at the dilapidated house from her garden gate. Life seems grey and quiet. Then, slowly but surely, she begins to notice a change. Each day the girl comes home from school, the house seems a little less dilapidated; a little more bright and colourful. As the story progresses, her spirit begins to lift. Each time the child passes ‘through the gate’, into the world beyond, she notices more of her surroundings and discovers that her new life has some wonderful things in it. Her walk to school becomes full of fun adventures and friends!The messages delivered through this story can be understood at different levels — literal and metaphorical. It teaches valuable lessons about how hard times pass eventually, and our perceptions colour our world. There is also a fun ‘spot the difference’ challenge hidden within the beautiful illustrations that encourages children to develop their observational skills. Part inspirational life lesson, and part adventure story, Through the Gate is sure to engage and charm young readers.

Sometimes Sophie worries — not during the day when she is busy with family and friends, but at night when everything is calm and quiet. What if her favourite shirt is still in the wash and she can’t wear it at the weekend? Or what if she forgets her packed lunch and has nothing to eat at school? Her worries keep her awake at night, making her tired and grumpy the next day.Her family all try to help, but somehow they just make her worries worse. Then, her mother thinks of a new approach … that might just involve an elephant or two! But wait, don’t think about purple elephants, whatever you do!As Sophie imagines purple elephants – and blue monkeys and red giraffes – getting up to all kinds of amusing antics, her worries fade and she goes to sleep happy, ready to have fun the next day. Whimsical and humorous, this little girl’s story of finding a way to ease her worry will resonate with children and parents everywhere.