the wonder and blessings of a meaningful life enhanced by literacy

the wonder and blessings of a meaningful life enhanced by literacy

ages 4 to 8 years
Set in Egypt, this is an ever so slightly suspenseful book to read aloud and it's then so very peaceful in its resolution. Ahmed has a secret—and it’s a good one! I love this book and can hardly count the number of times I've given it as a gift.

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armchair travel to spark 'remember when' conversations and grow wanderlust

armchair travel to spark 'remember when' conversations and grow wanderlust

Set in Australia, one family and a caravan take it on the road!  Delightfully insightful look at family relations and the gorgeousness and diversity of Australia - through the eyes of a child.
ages 4 to 12 years 

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a tender and gentle look at grief and recovering joyfully

a tender and gentle look at grief and recovering joyfully

ages 2 to 12 years
Books that offer positive mechanisms for coping with grief that aren’t overly sad or far too heavy thematically for young children are thin on the ground, but this is one. And it's a rare child whose life remains untouched by grief, traumatic or simple. 

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a real-life story about the value of work and philanthropy

a real-life story about the value of work and philanthropy

Set in Ghana. Years ago, when Max was eight, we had a conversation that went something like this:
Max:  So Mum what is the solution to the people in Africa who only have one bag of grain a month to eat. One Hen goes a long way towards answering that question.
ages 4 to 12 years

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sobering and ponderous and breathtaking

sobering and ponderous and breathtaking

ages 8 years and up
This is a truly remarkable book – the sort that makes you gasp and know that it needs to be in your house, on your table and hopefully in the hearts of your family. It’s a refugee story and perhaps a Christmas fable - there’s a mother and a baby, a father and a donkey. 
 

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the delights of an ordinary life

the delights of an ordinary life

It’s entirely possible that somewhere a little one is reading their Grandparent’s childhood copy of Dogger. First published in 1977, the story is almost 40 years old – and it’s still fresh and lively and entirely relatable. The story is well known and well loved and so hardly needs recounting here. Just in case, though …
ages 2 to 8 years

Dogger is a soft toy dog who is very special to his owner Dave – he’s

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success is sweetest when preceded by failures

success is sweetest when preceded by failures

ages newborn to grownup
A brilliant fractured fairytale that introduces us to that famous cow's many attempts at a moon jump before that glorious moment when she actually made it. Funny and tender and full of hope for all of us who struggle.

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