Existing Titles
Oscar the Osprey
My inspiration for Oscar came when I was on holiday in Florida. The area is teeming with wildlife, which contrasts vividly with the equally wonderful wildlife here in Britain. While I was there, I was constantly woken up by the plaintive cries of a young osprey chick.
Oscar the Osprey is a picture book, which can either be read aloud to a younger child or read independently by an older reader. Irrelevant of age, all children will enjoy the illustrations, rhyme, meter and repetition.
Whilst narrating a good story, this book can also be used as a teaching resource, as it includes a facts page and multi-curricular discussion points.
Lonesome Lawrie - Into the Unknown
I was inspired to write 'Lonesome Lawrie - Into the Unknown' after I'd been teaching a particularly inventive class of primary school children about writing fantasy stories. This coincided with me watching an incredible and poignant documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Lonesome Lawrie is an unusual creature who lives in an equally bizarre land. Poor Lawrie has a tricky problem which he needs to resolve. To do this, he must set out on a difficult and dangerous quest. But in search of what?
If you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, relation or are wanting to buy a book for a friend's child, you will find the comprehensive educational section at the back highly relevant and useful.
"If you are looking for a classic quest, full of invention and craziness, weird worlds and lively language ..." this "is the one for you." Alan Gibbons, Award Winning Children's Author.
Lonesome Lawrie - A Strange New World
In this sequel to 'Lonesome Lawrie - Into the Unknown,' our intrepid hero must once again embark on a perilous mission which takes him to a strange new world, culminating in a confrontation with perhaps his most terrifying antagonist of all! But who must he rescue? And why?
Once again, this book incorporates a useful educational section.
Here "we have a new quest, more linguistic invention and word play ... the ingredients for another completely weird, wacky and enjoyable adventure for kids." Alan Gibbons - Award Winning Children's Author
Hilda the Hippo, Who Didn't Like Being Different
Hilda the Hippo is sad because she feels different to the others. Her friends all tell her that they love her just the way she is.
This is a light-hearted, amusing story for young children which also carries a very serious message. "It's okay to
be you. True friends love you just the way you are!"
5 out of 5 Stars!
In this interactive picture book you will find colourful illustrations that only
further this entertaining story. Hilda the Hippo Who Didn’t Like Being Different
is a very well written and thought out story.
Deb Hockenberry (The Book Dragon)
The Discombobulator
The Discombobulator is the ultimate prankster! His naughty spells leave all the creatures that he meets strangely transformed and utterly confused. Is there anyone who is clever enough to stop him and teach him a lesson? This is a funny and beautifully-illustrated story for young children, which also carries a simple but important message: treat others the way you yourself would like to be treated.
5 out of 5 stars!
Why does the Discombobulator like to cause mischief? What is a
Discombobulator? You’ll find out more when you read this adorable picture
book. The author has kindly explained just what a Discombobulator is in the
story’s forward. This is brilliantly illustrated throughout the book with bright
colours that move the story along. A well written and highly entertaining
picture book.
Deb Hockenberry (The Book Dragon)
If At First...
Far away ... a baby giraffe takes his first steps, a swallow learns to fly, a tiny turtle struggles to reach the ocean, an orangutan learns to climb, a salmon sets off on a long and difficult journey and an osprey tries to catch his first fish. They all struggle to overcome the obstacles that are in their way and to find success.
This is a beautifully illustrated book for young children (and adults) which carries a message about the values of determination, perseverance and optimism. It helps them to think about positive growth mindset and, in particular, to understand that failure is a necessary part of success. “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!”
5 out of 5 stars!
A delightful story that combines an excellent message about positivity with
interesting information about various animals. With a lovely mixture of fact
and fiction, the reader engages with the young animals, willing them to
succeed in their attempts.
Beautifully written, the language is designed to be read aloud to young
children, making a charming introduction to the concept of never giving up. It
creates lots of opportunities for discussion, both during the story and when
reading the additional facts at the end. It is a fabulous book that can be
appreciated by adults and children alike.
Pam Golden - Author
This book is chock-full of quality, from the ‘Foreword for Grownups’ to the
‘Fun Facts’ at the end of the story. I enjoyed every page. A perfect book to be
read to a group or for a bedtime story, it would also work well for those young
readers ready to challenge themselves with more complex word groups and
letter formations.
A great message, well presented, and with wonderful illustrations featuring a
variety of creatures that should appeal to children of all ages. The bold-type
repetition in each section reinforces the positive tale and is very well executed
by the author.
This book would sit well on any primary school bookshelf with its clever mix of
fiction and fact. Highly recommended.
Deb Barwick (The Book Dragon).
Parp & Trump of Windy Bottom
Mr and Mrs Bogbrush become the proud owners of a fine litter of puppies and they
are overjoyed. However, their happiness is marred when a terrible smell appears in
the kitchen. Even the plumber, Mr Blowovski, is unable to detect the source of the
problem. When the Bogbrushes discover that two of the puppies are the culprits,
they are dismayed! It seems that even the vet, Mrs Melly, is unable to find a cure.
Will they ever be able to resolve the weighty problem of finding suitable homes for them?
4 stars!
An eight-chapter short story, sure to delight proficient young readers of 7+
years. The main characters, Mr and Mrs Bogbrush, seek to rid themselves of
a terrible smell that suddenly pervades their home in Windy Bottom.
Children will be amused by the use of humorous and ‘punny’ character
names and will particularly enjoy the ‘Fascinating Fart Facts’, factual
information pages and flatulence jokes at the end of the story.
Louise Moore (The Book Dragon)
The Grumpy Giant Who Lived on the Hill
This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of a bad-tempered giant who everyone is afraid of... until, one day, a little lost dog comes along...
This delightful story has a beautiful ending that encourages the young reader to think about how they judge others. Easy to read, with enchanting illustrations, it will appeal to emerging readers. It is also a brilliant book for adults to read to young children, as a springboard for discussion. I’m sure many people will know someone, like the giant, in their lives. I would highly recommend this wonderful book.
5 out of 5 stars!
This delightful story has a beautiful ending that encourages young readers to
think about how they judge others.
This rhyming picture book is a gentle and sweet story that teaches children
an important life lesson. The illustrations are beautifully done and in bright
colours. They bring the grumpy giant to life and also help to tell his story.
Deb Hockenberry (The Book Dragon)
Smurgle the Windy Dragon
When a witch casts a spell on Smurgle it causes a craving for cabbages and peas. This strange diet makes him very windy and unhappy until a kindly wizard comes along.
Will the wizard’s advice help Smurgle to resolve his embarrassing problem?
The book was funny, rude and naughty but it taught me how to eat the right things.’
George. Age 7
The Adventures of Zoli and her Turbo-charged Broom
Zoli the witch has been saving up hard for a deluxe new broom, but when it arrives she is too excited and impatient to read the instructions. She is launched into orbit on an epic journey.
But how will it end?
What more could you want from a book? A delightful rhyming story full of action, humour, interesting information and fabulous illustrations. Highly recommended.
Pam Golden - Author.
5 out of 5 stars!
A literary delight for any child! With illustrations that beautifully compliment this rhyming prose, and educational based facts introducing young readers to the wonders of our universe, this is a book that parents will love, children will adore and will want to share together, again and again.
Kirsty McKay. Founder - The Book Dragon
The Adventure of Zoli and Her
Cool New Cauldron
When Zoli ignores the advice of her faithful cat and buys an up-to-date cauldron, complete with a new potion book, things quickly go astoundingly wrong!
Will she be able to fix the problem alone?
5 out of 5 Stars!
The Adventures of Zoli Series is pure imaginary delight for children. With
illustrations that beautifully compliment this fun and highly entertaining
rhyming prose, this second book in the series does not disappoint. With its
scientific based facts included at the end, this is a book that parents and
teachers will love. Children will adore Zoli and her cat and will want to read
their adventures again and again.
Kirsty McKay. Founder - The Book Dragon.
Another charming rhyming story in the Zoli the Witch series. Jane Clack does
it again! This engaging story of Zoli and her hasty purchase of a new cauldron is full of
fun and action, with some hilarious unforeseen circumstances. As a bonus, it
introduces young children to the scientific concept of Changing States in an
accessible way.
An excellent read. Highly recommended! Pam Golden - Author
The Adventures of Zoli and her New Kitty Cat
Zoli the witch has been arguing with her loyal black cat. Instead of talking things through she decides to do something that has unexpected results.
Can she sort out the mess she’s made before she loses everything that’s important to her?
Another engaging and delightful read for children, and I have to say my
favourite so far! Jane really knows how to blend fun and education together
into an exciting rhyming prose. With characters that will truly charm young
readers, and beautiful illustrations, there is plenty to adore! In this 3rd
instalment, Zoli and her cats reinforce positive emotional & behavioural
messages to children that they will remember and will want to emulate.
Kirsty McKay. Founder - The Book Dragon.
Another excellent, fun story about Zoli the Witch and her cats. Written in
delightful rhyming verse, not only is the story engaging and fun to read, but it
has a fabulous message about what we truly value in life. A great introduction
to friendship for young children, with valuable educational notes at the end
that will prompt a good discussion.
Highly recommended!
Pam Golden - Author
The Adventure of Zoli and Brand New Home
When Zoli ignores the advice of her cats and decides to move out of her old home into a smart, modern apartment things don’t turn out in quite the way she had planned - and she also meets some very ‘interesting’ new neighbours… Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence for Zoli? Or does she act too hastily?
5 out of 5 Stars!
The Adventures of Zoli and Her Brand New Home is a charming and entertaining book that combines humour, relatability and valuable life lessons. it is sure to captivate round readers and leave them with a smile on their faces.
Kirsty McKay. Founder - The Book Dragon.
Highly recommended!
Full of fun and as impulsive as ever, Zoli embarks on another ill-thought out adventure. Even Kitty is unimpressed, to say nothing of Black Cat's opinion! However, Zoli learns an important lesson while giving the reader great entertainment and something to think about. Written in delightful rhyming couplets, the story is deliciously satisfying and a good way to start a discussion about reusing, upcycling and being grateful.
Pam Golden - Author
