alanna catalogue for mmscollects beads and shells for the garden and, when it’s grown, invites her...

alanna books

...because everyone loves a good story

Alanna - for books that promote a love of reading

If you experience any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to contact us direct:

Alanna Books46 Chalvey Road East, Slough, Berks, SL1 2LRTel: 01753 573 245 • e.mail: [email protected]

For publicity information and enquiries:Nicky Potter • Tel: 020 8889 9735 • e.mail: [email protected]

Orca Book Services Ltdwww.orcabookservices.co.uk

160 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4SB

Telephone: 01235 46 55 00E.mail: [email protected] card orders: 01235 46 55 77

Alanna Books are now distributed by Orca Book Services

Alanna Books are available from all good bookstores. Please support yourlocal independent bookshop and buy our books there. If you have anyproblems, please don’t hesitate to get in touch directly.

Bookshops - you can order via PubEasy or email (see below). If you need toset up an account, you can download a form from the Orca website.

Schools, nurseries and children’s centres - you can order from Orca or, ifyou prefer, get in touch with us first for advice on how best to order.

alanna books...because everyone loves a good story

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www.alannabooks.com

What Are You Playing At? – a provocative examination of gender roles

Lulu - readers’ favourite pint-size role model

Picture Books - Bear, Goose, Fox and Frog!

My Friend Series - because we are more alike than different

Zeki Loves Baby Club - a celebration of songs and rhymes

Stories from Around the World - China & Russia

Alanna Books is a small independent publisher.

We are passionate about children’s books and we believe everyone loves agood story! However, some children struggle to find books in which they seethemselves and their experiences. So at Alanna Books, we aim to produce stories that are naturally inclusive of a wide range of people and experiences -so ALL children can enjoy them.

Most of all, however, we believe that deep down, we are far more alike than we are different... and that everyone loves a good story! So, we are committed tonurturing readers and showing them positive examples of children – and bearsand geese and frogs – who love books and reading.

Anna McQuinnPublisher

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TAGs= Featured in the story= Positive images = Early Learning

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alanna books - because everyone loves a good story!

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- Everyone’s favourite pint-sized role model - NEW Spring 2015

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Lulu Loves Flowers

When Lulu reads Mary, Mary Quite Contraryin a book of garden poems, she wants togrow some flowers herself.

Being Lulu, she has to do some research first. She gets gardening books, chooses the best flowers to grow,buys seeds and plants them. Then she has to wait...

While she is waiting she makes a flower book, collects beads and shells for the garden and, when it’s grown, invites her friends to her garden.

SPRING2015

EVERY image in this book could be a poster - Rosalind Beardshaw has surpassed herself!

Book-loving fans will be delighted to see Lulu again and new readers willlove the simple but inspiring story;

The Lulu books have been enthusiastically reviewed and celebrated for beingnaturally inclusive – race is not an issue here (in fact there are no ‘issues’here). But a very important point is being made about every child’s right tosee someone like them in a book.

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ISBN: 978-1-907825-118Price: £11.99Age Group: 2 years and upFormat: Hardback, 32 pages

AuthorANNAMCQUINNworks as a writer andpublisher and also runs groups for youngchildren and their parents at a local library.She has written more than twenty booksfor children. Anna was quite contrary as achild and she’s excited that her favouritechildhood poem is the basis for Lulu’s newstory. www.annamcquinn.com

IllustratorROSALIND BEARDSHAW spend rainy childhood afternoons visiting art galleries.She spent sunny afternoons in her grandfather’s garden blowing kisses at theflowers. Rosalind has illustrated many children's books including Mole’s Babies, Just Right for Christmas and The Best Present. www.rosalindbeardshaw.com

www.alannabooks.com

The US edition is called Lola Plants a Garden and came out inAugust 2014 - reviewers were enthusiastic:

“Tonight's pick is by an author and illustrator team that Sproutand I both adore. We have loved every single book in this se-ries, and I'm happy to report that this latest is just as awesomeas all the rest! One thing I love about Lola Plants a Garden isthat it teaches kids how to work through a project from begin-ning to end. Lola gets the idea for a garden from reading apoem; she tells her mom and they work on the project together,from designing to planting to decorating the garden and thenthrowing a party to show it off. Winsome illustrations by Ros-alind Beardshaw are the perfect touch to complement Mc-Quinn's storytelling. Add Lola Plants a Garden to your list – thisis a sweet celebration of flowers, friends and books, and whatcould be better than that?” Sprout’s Bookshelf Review Site

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“Lulu can convince us all that books and stories are absolutely the best thing in the world.”The Reading Zone

“Should be available in every library and children’s centre.”Annie Everall - The Bookseller Children’s Buyer’s Guide

“The roots of reading, along with matters of love and life, are happily married in this bright, uplifting, outstanding and important offering.”School Library Journal

“Mum and Lulu read together at bedtime, because it’s fun: there’s nopreaching here, just a really encouraging story with bright and lively illustrations. This is a delightful book for children and alos one to bear in mind for talks to parents.” School Library Association

Over 300,000

Lulu books sold worldwide in

over 12countries!

Reviews of the Lulu books

TAGsReading,Poetry, Gardening, Flowers,

Nature, Allotments, the Environment,Seasons, Baking, Cupcakes, DrawingMother-daughter relationships, caring

Dads, independent girls, everyday BMEfamily life, book-sharing, readingResearch, Patience, Following recipes,

Caring, Imaginative Play, Sequencing

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Lulu Loves the Library


books that promote a love of reading

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With a free Multi-language CDThe book is accompanied by a Multi-language CD - Listen to the story told in Englishand over 20 other languages - a perfect resource for inclusive storytimes.

Languages: English, Irish, Welsh, French, Dutch, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,Turkish, Arabic, Somali, Igbo, Luganda, Swahili, Amharic, Tigrinya, Ndebele, Urdu, Gujarati, Japanese and Chinese. And you can sing along to Twinkle Twinkle Little Starat the end.

Y A moment-by-moment account of a very young child’s visit to the local library;

Y A pint-size role model for young readers everywhere, her enthusiasm for booksleaps from every page;

Y A perfect story to prepare young children for a library visit - from home, nursery or pre-school;

Y The charming illustrations perfectly capture the little girl’s enthusiasm for books and stories, and paint a lovely picture of her book-loving Mum.

Y Gold Medal Winner - US National Parenting AwardsY BookTrust Recommended TitleY CLEL Silver Bell Lifetime Achievement AwardY Chicago Public Libraries - Best of the Best Children’s Books 2007

Lulu loves Tuesdays. That’s when she and her mummy go to the library.They choose books and Lulu goes to story time and singing time.When they get home, Lulu’s mummy reads the stories at bedtime.

ISBN:978-1-907825-071

Price: £12.99Age Group2 years and upwards

Format:Hardcover & Multi-Language CD32 pages

ISBN:978-0-9551998-20Irish edition: 978-0-9551998-82


Format:Paperback & Multi-Language CD32 pages

ISBN:978-0-9551998-75

Price: £4.99Age Group6 months and upwards

Format:Boardbook16 pages with short simple text

“The message here is simple, direct, and a vitally impor-tant advocacy for libraries – the fun and enjoyment of avisit to the library being conveyed in the bold, bright pictures painted from Lulu’s viewpoint. It's vital for allchildren to see characters who look similar to them-selves: that Lulu, the central character in this story is black,is therefore particularly welcome.” Books for Keeps

“This book is a useful addition to the book world in thisday when libraries are threatened with closure. Therehave been story books before based on library visits butthis one is especially good. It is a happy, optimistic story -a most worthwhile book which should be in all librariesand schools and would be a welcome addition to manyhomes. I truly recommend it.” Armadillo Magazine

More reviews

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Lulu should be mandatory reading for anyone who doubts the impact libraries have on young lives.Liz Broekmann, CYP, Slough Library

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I love this book and I want all library staff to have one.Kath Navratil, Early Years Librarian

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A joyful exploration of books, libraries and sharing stories –this should be available in every library and children’s centre.Annie Everall - The BooksellerChildren’s Buyer’s Guide

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YYAWARDWinning

TAGsReading, Libraries, Walking, Story time,

Cafe, Bedtime storyMother-daughter relationships, reading,

independent girls, book-loving families,everyday BME family life, Familiar routines, Borrowing books

from libraries (multiple langauges), Sequencing

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Lulu Loves Stories



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With a free Multi-language CDThe paperback is accompanied by a Multi-language CD - Listen to the story told inEnglish and 20 other languages - a perfect resource for inclusive storytimes.

Languages: English, Irish, Welsh, French, Dutch, Polish, Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic, Somali, Luganda, Swahili, Tigrinya, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Japanese and Manderin Chinese.

Y A welcome return of readers’ favourite pint-sized role-model!

Y Celebrates the way books and stories inspire children and fuel their creativity,their imaginations and their play;

Y An excellent jumping off point for so many reading and play activities.

YWinner of the Coventry Inspiration Award 2012Y Bookstart Dual Language choice Y BookTrust Recommended Title 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015Y National Literacy Association Recommended ListY Selected title for Kansas’ One-Book-One-State programme 2012Y Chicago Public Libraries - Best of the Best Children’s Books 2010

Lulu loves stories - each night she reads a different one, and next daythey inspire her play. She becomes a fairy, a pilot, a farmer, a mummy, a tiger and a monster!

ISBN:978-0-9551998-51


Format:Hardcover 32 pages

ISBN:978-1-907825-019


Format:Paperback & Multi-Language CD32 pages

ISBN:978-1-907825-002

Price: £4.99Age Group6 months and upwards

Format:Boardbook16 pages with short simple text

“Emphasises how special it is to share stories.”Bookstart Toddler Book Guide

“The irrepressible Lulu returns in another book-lovingstory, superbly illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. There is plenty here – Dad as primary carer and a girl whocan switch between fairy and DIY expert effortlessly!”Letterbox Library

“An excellent jumping off point for so many reading activities. Having read the story, children will enjoy find-ing books about princesses, pilots, farmers, friendship,builders and especially ‘wild and wicked monsters’ forthemselves.” Teaching with Picture Books www.alannabooks.com

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Couldn’t recommend it morestrongly - all those different languages – fantastic idea!Liz Morris, Griffeen Valley Educate Together Primary School

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Lulu can convince us all thatbooks and stories are absolutely the best thing in the world. The Reading Zone

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Graphically illustrates how achild’s imagination can besparked by a story and how playtime can be made muchmore interesting. Curled up with a Good Kid’s Book

YYAWARDWinning

More reviews

TAGsReading, Libraries, Books, girls who are

fairies, farmers, pilots, tigers, builders;Role play, Imaginative Play,Bedtime storiesFather-daughter relationships, caring

Dads, independent girls, boys with dolls,everyday BME family life, book-sharing

Days of the week, Imaginative Play,Sequencing,

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Lulu Reads to Zeki



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Y A warm story that will help any new big sister or brother to look forward to the arrival of a sibling;

Y A pint-size role model for young readers everywhere, Lulu is keen to share herenthusiasm for books with her new brother;

Y Not every ‘new baby’ story needs to deal with rivalry - here the positives are emphasised and Lulu’s family show how preparing Lulu with some stories andsticking to her bedtime story routine helps her adjust to her new role;

Y The charming illustrations perfectly capture the little girl’s enthusiasm for books and stories, and paint a lovely picture of her book-loving family.

Y Guartian’s Top 10 Culturally Diverse Books for Toddlers & Infants 2014YWinner Best Children’s Books of the Year 2013 Bank Street College of Education’s Centre for Children’s Literature

Lulu becomes a big sister in this story celebrating books and reading. From bath time to bedtime, Lulu knows just the right book to read to hernew baby brother Zeki.

This warm story deals gently with the disruption caused to a young child by the arrival of a new sibling. But Lulu’s family are role-models too, usingbooks about new babies to prepare Lulu, and making sure they still havetime for her and her stories once baby arrives. So, it is no surprise that Lulubelieves every problem can be solved by reading a story - inspirational!

HardcoverISBN:978-1-907825-040



PaperbackISBN:978-1-907825-057


Format:Paperback 32 pages

AuthorANNAMCQUINN divides her time betweenwriting and working directly with children as a Community Librarian. She has writtenover 30 books for children and this is one offour stories in the Lulu series.

IllustratorROSALIND BEARDSHAW’S favourite subject at school was Art so it was an easy decision to become an artist. She has illustrated over 20 children's books - her first book won theSheffield prize and she’s gone from strength to strength since.

“The roots of reading, along with matters of love and life,are happily married in this bright, uplifting, outstandingand important offering.” School Library Journal

“This is a book that I would recommend to all parents.A big 5 stars!!” Wanda on Goodreads

“This is the perfect book to buy for a child aged from twoto six-years-old who is expecting, or has already got, anew baby brother or sister. An excellent option to increase the number of books supporting cultural diversity in your library.” EYA (Early Years Educator)

“ In this latest story about Lulu we see how keen she is topass on her love of books to her new baby brother, Zeki.With lovely illustrations by Rosalind Beardshaw, this is a further tribute to the shared joys of reading and the importance of books to the youngest of children.”Willesden Bookshop

“The children enjoyed this book very much during story-time, especially ones who had a younger baby brother orsister.” Elaine on Goodreads

More reviews

www.alannabooks.com

Excellent. This will be at thetop of my list for recom-mending from the ‘new babyat my house’ genre. Greataddition to the series andstands alone well, too.Robin Rousu on Goodreads Review site

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Every library and schoolshould have a copy.Parents in Touch

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Delightfully warm text witha very pro-books-and-reading message. Multicultural illustrationsadd to the charm.Peters Library SupplyBook of the Week

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TAGsReading, Pregnant mummy, Preparing

for a new baby, New sibling, Family adjust-ing to new baby, Bedtime storiesMother-daughter relationships, Dad

looking after new baby, independent girls,everyday BME family life, book-sharingfamilies, breastfeeding,Caring, Coping with change, Helping

around the house, using stories to help prepare for life events

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Perfect for Babies and Toddlers

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Parents, early years professionals, speech therapists and teachers have long recognisedthe importance of baby songs for a baby’s development. Initiaitves like BookStart havesuccesfully made Rhyme Times and Song Times an essential and familiar part of thelives of babies and their parents. In the story, Zeki and his friends sing a number offavourite songs and rhymes and readers can stop on any page and sing the song - thewords are printed in the back of the book.

Zeki Loves Baby Club

Y A close up look at a familiar event in many babies’ days;

Y A perfect story for Lulu fans, her baby brother in his own book!

Y Charming illustrations from new illustrator will delight babies and parents alike.

YWith web links so parents and children can watch and sing along at home.

Y Books for Keeps - Books of the Year 2014.

Baby Club is such fun! Zeki and his friends sing rhymes and songs anddo all the actions – they clap, stretch, shake, wiggle and zoom to themoon! And at the end, there’s time for a story and making new friends.

Everyone knows that babies and toddlers just love looking at images of other babies like themselves. They also enjoy seeing their everydayworld in a story. So, young children will enjoy looking at Zeki and hisfriends in the familiar world of baby rhyme time singing favouritesongs.

Inclusive and diverse... let's find ways to get thisbook into every care setting,library, and health visitor'sclinic! Zoe Toft

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A gorgeous addition to theLulu series and a must forEarly Years settings, ZekiLoves Baby Club is scrummy! Rhino Reads

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ISBN: 978-1-907825-101Price: £7.99Age Group: 3 months upFormat: Card cover withrounded corners & 24 toddler-proof pages

AuthorANNAMCQUINN has been devouring stories ever since she was a little girl. She is the author of more than twentybooks for children. When Anna is not writing, she runs clubs for babies, toddlersand their parents in Acton library. Annahas written four stories about Lulu, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. This is her first story starring Zeki.

IllustratorRUTHHEARSON completed a BA and a Masters then worked as an illustrator untiltaking time out to focus on being a mum.Recently, Ruth has returned to illustration.This is her first book with Alanna.

www.alannabooks.com

More reviews“The book is a joy to hold and explore. Inside the covers,there’s information in small sound bytes about languageand communication, stories and reading. It makes it agreat book for parents and for Early Years settings too.”Sue Martin Dolphin Booksellers

“Absolutely Gorgeous and 'scrumdiddliumptious' in everypossible way... this book is a delight from start to finish.Short, fun and colourful, babies and toddlers will just lovesinging some of the songs at the back and recognisingthe familiar experience of going to 'baby club'. There issinging, stretching, clapping, wriggling and 'zooming tothe mooning!” EYA (Early Years Educator)

“This should be the next Booktrust book for its baby pack- it so perfectly reflects a baby's life, is warmly drawn, diverse, inclusive and just lovely. A must have for everynursery and playgroup.” Zoe Toft

“What a helpful book for parents of very young children to support their early years activities at home. Indeed itwould be a help for anyone starting up a playgroup orBaby Club themselves and Nurseries would also benefitfrom it...It is good to see multilingual greetings displayedon the page as babies from different ethnic backgroundsassemble together to share the fun.” The School Librarian

“Bright and bold illustrations and simple text celebrate ababy’s day... A lovely celebration of our vibrant multi-cul-tural society.” Newham Bookshop’s Choice for Independent Bookseller’s Week

TAGsNursery rhymes,Singing,Libraries,

Community,Language development Mother-son relationships, caring Dads,

everyday BME families,multi-culturalcommunitiesLanguage development,Rhyme,

Rhythm, songs

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What Are You Playing At?


books that promote conversation

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Y A powerful message in a provocative format;

Y The flaps underpin the message and opening them will start interesting conversations about everything boys and girls can do and be;

Y Extremely relevant in the the current climate of increasingly narrow genderedmarketing of children’s books, toys and other play materials;

Y Endorsed by Amnesty International as supporting equal rights.Y CLPE’s Books of the Year 2014

Everyone knows that boys don’t play kitchens - that would just be silly!

But open the flaps and the pictures tell a different story! Inside we seegrown men cooking, dancing, skipping, feeding a baby; and women whodrive cars, build boats and play sports...

The prescriptive tone of a text which would limit what children play basedon gender stereotypes is challenged by the clever juxtaposition of stunningphotos which undermine the dismissive tone each time.

A breath of fresh air - the perfect antidote to a surfeit of sparkly fairies or tough guys.Joy Court

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Peters Books –Book of the Week

Letterbox Library –Book of the Month

Inclusive Minds –Book of the Week

CLPE –Books of the Year

This is a book that demands your attention. It is Important. It isclever and, like all the best books, it is brilliantly simple – yourlocal school or library NEEDS this! Rhino Reads - Book Blog

Clever and brilliant! An absolute treasure... Amnesty-endorsedcelebration of girls & boys and men & women everywhere whowant to be...people! Letterbox Library

What a breath of fresh air! EYE early years educator

A great book challenging stereotypes and play activities. Thephotographs are brilliant... How great to have a book that isclear and non patronising. Dolphin Book Blog - Sue Martin

A powerful message… a visually exciting and conceptually intelligent book. Armadillo

The photography and design are stunning and the lift-the-flapformat adds an important dose of fun, so guarding against anyhint of worthiness. I'd like to see this book in every nursery andinfant school in the country. Inclusive Minds Website

Striking layout, with excellent photos and big flaps, boldlycoloured. Parents in Touch website

I love the provocative style of this picture book that challengesgender stereotypes and powerfully advocates a ‘You can beanything/do anything’ mode of thinking and being. The use ofphotographs of children opposite such thought-provoking as-sertions as ‘boys don’t play kitchens’ acts as a superb counterto the gender biased statements. Jill Bennett

ISBN:978-1-907825-026


Format:Hardcover 46 pages with 9 full-page fold-outs

AuthorMARIE SABINE ROGER has enjoyed mak-ing up words since she was four years old.With over seventy books published, it’s apleasure she continues to enjoy every day.The wonderful film, My Afternoons withMargueritte staring Gerard Depardieu isbased on her adult novel, La Tete en Friche.

IllustratorANNE SOL was born in France, spent threeteenage years in Ireland, then went to Paristo study photography at l'école des Gob-elins. She lives and works in Montreal,Quebec as a photographer and illustratorand has illustrated three children’s books.

www.alannabooks.com

More reviews

TAGsChildren playing with traditional toys,

men showing emotion, strong women,Adults in untraditional roles;Photos which prompt discussion about

traditional gender roles and play

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Splendid friends


books about friendship

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Y Suzanne Bloom creates characters children will love - wonderfully expressive - even young children will be able to ‘read’ the story in the illustrations alone;

Y The stunning illustrations and sparse text explore the difficulties of judging on first impressions and the drama of choosing one friend over another with the lightest of touches. A classic!

Y A tremendously funny book - both children and parents will recognise themselves in persistent Goose and Bear who doesn’t like interuptions;

Y A Splendid Friend - Shortlisted for the UKLA Award 2012YWhat About Bear? - Longlisted for the UKLA Award 2014

Stunning illustrations capture the exasperation of Bear, whose solitaryreading and writing are constantly interrupted by over-enthusiasticGoose. In the end, Bear is won over and to his own surprise, findsGoose to be a splendid friend.

In the second story, Bear and Goose’s splendid friendship is threatenedby the arrival of Little Fox. The dilemma of choosing one friend over another is one of childhood’s classic problems. Goose and Bear showFox that including friends is more fun than excluding them.

ISBN:978-0-9551998-99


Format:Paperback32 pages

ISBN:978-1-907825-088


Format:Hardcover32 pages

Author and illustratorSUZANNE BLOOM is the author andillustrator of many award-winningbooks. Drawing, however, was her first love. Her delightful illustrations brighten her books,and as she says, “…as much as I love writing the story, drawingthe pictures is like dessert.” Suzanne has written and illus-trated 14 books and is the proudwinner of many prizes in the US.A Splendid Friend, Indeed is her first book to be published inthe UK, and was shortlisted for the UKLA prize in 2012.WhatAbout Bear was longlisted forUKLA the following year.

“Once upon a time a tiny publisher found a book so perfect for thepreschool children it specialised in. That book was A SplendidFriend Indeed – shortlisted for the UKLA Book Award and belovedby those teacher judges for the simplicity of the text and the impactof the evocative illustrations and its emotional truth.

Like me, those teachers will be jumping for joy to see the bear andhis best friend again and will be slightly tense as they open the covers. But they can relax; once again we have the perfect renditionof a very typical emotional problem for children of any age. Thetemptation and attraction of the new friend juxtaposed with loyaltyto the old friend.

There is incredible emotion in these skilfully rendered highly tex-tured pastel pictures. A pre-reader could completely tell the storyfrom the pictures alone and indeed it will prompt very valuable talkopportunities if you let them explain the pictures to you.

This is a very valuable resource for emotional literacy and a brilliantdemonstration of the efficacy of good quality picture books to speakto us all. We should all say a big Thank You to Alanna Books!”Joy Court, Librarian on the Reading Zone

More reviews

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A piece of picture book perfection.E.R. Bird, Children’s Librarian

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It is the ‘splendid’ illustrationsthat really make this book. Books for Keeps

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It is impossible to imagine amore effective book about the trials and tribulations offriendship for younger readersthan this one...IBBY Link

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M”The bold simple text in this exceptional book tells the story of complex emotions in only 100 words. School Librarian 2013

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YYAWARDWinning


books that promote acceptance

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Y A tremendously funny and enjoyable book - children will simply adore Little Frog and will enjoy being shocked at the naughty but funny things he gets up to;

Y The lively, colourful and vibrant illustrations will allow children to ‘read’the story by following the pictures and expressions;

Y Underneath the hilarious and riotous story there’s a warm and important messageabout acceptance and belonging.

Y A particularly useful title to reassure any children with behaviour difficulties thateven when others struggle with their behaviours, they are still loved.

Y BookTrust Recommended Title

When Little Frog drops into the lives of a very normal family, chaos ensues. The family want to love him, and he wants very much to beloved. The trouble is, he’s very very naughty.

Little Frog is trying to help. But, he just hasn’t worked the rules out yet.He doesn’t tear the family’s books, but he does wash them in the sink!He never hits his new siblings, but he does draw on their faces whilethey are asleep! This makes his parents very upset and Little Frogthinks this means they don’t love him anymore.

So Little Frog takes off and goes on a long and difficult journey before realising that his family (who have followed him to the ends of the earth to prove it) continue to love him despite his naughty behaviour.

A really funny book with a vitally important message that will reassurenaughty and not so naughty) children everywhere.

Little Frog

ISBN:978-0-9551998-69


Format:Paperback32 pages

Author & IllustratorJAKOB MARTIN STRID was born inDenmark. He began his career asa cartoonist and had his break-through with the general publicwith a daily strip entitled ‘Strid’ inthe Copenhagen daily, Politiken.The strip’s main character’sdiminutive body and large headwith spiky hair is a cartoon versionof himself. His satirical talentquickly won Strid a position as acontroversial cartoonist.

The anti-authoritarian, humorous,and poetic blend continued inStrid’s children’s books, though ina form that was less harsh. Therethe political satire was trans-formed to an anarchistic, humor-ous tale with great sympathy forthe foreigner and the outsider.With the picture book Little Frog,Jakob Martin Strid won the BØFA(a children's librarians' group) Cultural Honorary Award.

“A heartwarming tale of unconditional love in spite of allthe mischief Little Frog gets up to... This simple andfunny tale will strike a chord with all parents. It is an inspirational story of just loving and not giving up onchildren even when they are at their worst stages in life.”Good English.Org

“This is a very funny picture book about the eponymousLittle Frog who hasn’t yet worked out the rules of behav-iour. Like a human toddler, he repeatedly misbehavesand doesn’t like being told off, so he runs away. Little Frog has a journey of discovery and finally realiseshe has nowhere to go. However, his worried family havefollowed him far and wide to tell him that whatever hedoes they will always love him... A reassuring book forall young children, who will enjoy Little Frog’s naughtyantics as well as the message his family brings.”Nicola Collins, IBBY Link

More reviews

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I read this story to my almost three year-old grandson, who was enthralled, and, I think, got the message that however bad a child is, his parents will still love him. There are plenty of spaces for the reading adult to turn to the child and say: ‘Wasn’t that naughty?’

Armadillo magazine

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TAGsOuter space, Frogs, Siblings, New sib-

lings, New arrivals, Family changes, adop-tion or fosteringFamily life in all it’s complexity! Love in

the face of difficultiesEmotions (especially anger and

frustration) reassurance,

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Stories from Around the World

alanna books - because everyone loves a good story!20

Y Beautifully-written, poetic stories from a talented writer and storyteller;

Y Lao Lao features the whole story in Chinese script alongside the English and Masha has poems in Russian Cyrillic;

Y Both Lao Lao and Masha use their craft to solve their problems –templates and instructions are included at the back to inspire children to try the craft for themselves.

Drawing on traditional themes, storyteller and writer, Margaret Bateson-Hill has written beautiful new stories.

In Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain, delicate artwork provides a perfectbackdrop for this beautiful story set in China. The old woman, Lao Lao, makes simple papercuts, but the greedy emperor hears about them and has her imprisoned in a tower, not realising there’s a dragon watching nearby...

In Masha and the Firebird, magical artwork enhances this beautifulstory set in Russia. The Firebird asks a little girl, Masha, to help hide her eggs from the witch, Baba Yaga. Masha paints them to match thefour elements – earth, water, air and fire – but has to do even morewhen Baba Yaga gets her hands on the last one...

stories from around the world

ISBN:978-1-907825-14-9Price: £11.99Age Group5 years and upwards


IllustratorFRANCESCA PELIZZOLI was born inKenya. She studied Illustrationand Film at Wimbledon School of Art and has illustrated manyadults' and children's books.

ISBN:978-1-907825-15-69Price: £11.99Age Group5 years and upwards


IllustratorANNE WILSON was born on the tiny Ascension Island in the South At-lantic and grew up in England.Anne has as MA in illustrationfrom Central St Martin’s Collegeof Art, London and has been practising as an illustrator for over15 years. As well as illustratingchildren’s books, Anne has arange of greeting cards and artprints: www.anne-wilson.co.uk

AuthorMARGARET BATESON-HILL is both a talented writer, and a professional story-teller. She works in works in schools,libraries and museums. The daily contact with children inspires her work which is always perfectly suited for theage group. Margaret has published six picture books and a fiction trilogy about one of her favourite subjects, dragons! www.margaretbateson-hill.co.uk

www.alannabooks.com

My Friend series

Y Presents a believable friendship between two children from different backgroundswithout being preachy or ‘worthy’;

Y Set in modern, multicultural Britain, the information is both relevant and interesting to young readers;

Y The funky mix of photos and artwork gives the stories a modern and fun feel.

Y National Literacy Association Recommended List

A unique series about the powerful friendships between children fromdifferent backgrounds. The emphasis is on shared experience – grow-ing up together, in a modern, multi-cultural city, they have far more incommon than different.

In My Friend Jamal, Joseph tells us about his friend Jamal, who wasborn in the UK but whose family are from Somalia. Joseph describes allthe things they like to do - growing up together, they have lots in com-mon. However, when Joseph visits Jamal’s home, he discovers thatfamilies that come from other places do some things very differently.

In My Friend Amy, Monifa tells us about her friend Amy, who was bornin the UK but whose family are from Hong Kong. Monifa describes allthe things they like to do and also what she finds different about Amy’shome - including the fact that her family call her Mei Jing!

books about friendship

22

ISBN:978-0-9551998-13



ISBN:978-0-9551998-37



AuthorANNA MCQUINN moved to the UKin her early 20s and is sensitive tothe difficulties of adapting to anew country. Working directly with children as a Community Librarian, she noticed how wellyoung children from different backgrounds got on, and wasmoved to write about it.

IllustratorBEN FREY grew up in British Columbia. In first grade, he noticed that his letter 'O' lookedlike a character from a comic strip.It was all downhill from there! Since graduating in Illustrationand Design, Ben has been work-ing as an illustrator. Drawing hasalways been his passion he enjoysillustration as a career. He stillfinds time to enjoy the beauty ofthat part of the world that initiallyinspired him to be an artist.

“This book is superb. From its brilliant colours to its frank honesty, My Friend Jamal hits the right chord. It accurately and respectfullydescribes the Somalian culture through the eyes of a young boy....The author does an excellent job of handling sensitive topics like thewar in Somalia and respectfully showcases elements of the Somaliculture... I would recommend this book for all school and public libraries.”Resource Links

“These two glorious picture books are a joyful and exuberant por-trayal of friendship and show how children from different culturalbackgrounds celebrate and share those differences.... we learn so much about Jamal/Amy's culture - although it's done insuch a gentle way that the reader almost soaks it up without realisingquite how much factual information they are absorbing... These delightful books show that the things that we have in commonare far greater than the things that set us apart. Vibrant illustrationsand full-colour photographs featuring real chldren with proper gap-toothed grins, good-sized text in easy-to-follow boxes.”National Literacy AssociationThe Guide to Literacy Resources Spring 2012

More reviews

This book is superb. I would recommend this book for allschool and public libraries. Resource Links

“M”

A superb exploration of friendship across cultures. Enchanting! Letterbox Library

“M”

These books are a completejoy from start to finish and apositive reflection of Britain'srich and varied multi-culturalsociety.The National Literacy Association

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M”

It is refreshing to see a children'sbook addressing the topic ofcultural diversity in such a non-judgmental way. Many adultswould benefit from reading thisbook too!

Bookhaven

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Never give a child a book you wouldn’t read yourself.

George Bernard Shaw

Alanna Books 46 Chalvey Road East, Slough, Berks, SL1 2LR

Telephone: 01753 573 245 • Email: [email protected]

alanna catalogue for mmscollects beads and shells for the garden and, when it’s grown, invites her...

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