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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a gorgeous lullaby book for beautiful reassuring bedtimes

a gorgeous lullaby book for beautiful reassuring bedtimes

There are some books that really are best read in a whisper while little bodies cuddle up and begin to sink heavily into sleep. Lullaby books, if you like. They need to be lyrical, preferably poetic for cadence, gentle on the eyes and have a reassuring predictability. (Certainly nothing to startle or surprise!) Let’s Go to Sleep is all of that – it’s one of my favourites. 

ages 0 up to about 8 years - a gorgeous baby shower or new-baby gift.
 

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funny situations can lead to complex reasoning in a non-confrontational way

funny situations can lead to complex reasoning in a non-confrontational way

ages 2 to 8 years
A really funny look at a donkey who lives inside!  (There are more positives than you might think.) Great for musing about how other people live—and the possibility that there could be more than one good choice in life.

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hooray for a decent prince and a woman with a bit of spunk!

hooray for a decent prince and a woman with a bit of spunk!

ages 2 to 12 years
A brilliant gift book. We have quite a collection of princess-and-the-pea stories, mainly because Alec (our second son) was called Princess for quite a few years after a camp where he slept on a whole pile of mattresses. This one is great. Prince Henrik needs to find a proper princess to be his wife - and he does! 

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there's joy and work and love happening everywhere; all around the world

there's joy and work and love happening everywhere; all around the world

Ages 2 to 12 years. One of my children spent a considerable amount of time planning an around-the-world trip – a great way to while away the hours. It sparked a lot of conversation, which led to lots of research and plenty of fantasy play as an offshoot.

I wish we'd had At the Same Moment, Around the World at the time. 

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how celebrations unite families and communities

how celebrations unite families and communities

Every so often  in our family, someone claims it’s their half birthday and so they are in need of a cake!  In the story, Oscar is six months old – and it’s the perfect day for a half birthday and a picnic with a cake!

ages baby to 7 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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