Everyone's favourite (socially distanced) characters return to help us through this challenging period. Hedgehog is waiting for his friend Tortoise to wake up. But where is he and when will he wake? Hedgehog's friends are all very lovely, but they just aren't as much fun at the beach, or at hide and seek, or at holding hands, or at hugs. Tortoise begins to stir - the one boulder that Hedgehog didn't think he could lift to turn . . . Tortoise has been dreaming of Hedgehog. And the hug that follows is their best yet! A charming and touching new tale from the creators of the bestselling While We Can't Hug!

There were so many things that Tortoise wanted to do. So many games to play and rocks to climb. Oops. Tortoise was stuck. Tortoise was not happy. Tortoise is not having a good day and now he's stuck in a hole and is far too upset for hugs. Hedgehog sits and waits and then makes Tortoise laugh - taking the time to let the moment pass, and acknowledge how Tortoise feels.

From two of the biggest names in children's publishing, this is an inspiring guide to wordplay for young readers, their parents and teachers. I'm ready for spaghetti Will you getti the spaghetti? Don't say, "Not yetti spaghetti!" 'cos I'm all setti for spaghetti. Fizzing with rhythm, energy and laughter, the 30 poems in Ready for Spaghetti delight in the details of children's daily routines. "Up, up, uppity-up!", the first poem announces, while the artwork shows a child leaping out of bed, ready to begin their morning; "Hush and a hush, soft and low", chants the final poem, as children snuggle under their blankets after their day's adventures. Full of affectionate observations of young children, which are beautifully continued in Polly Dunbar's warm-hearted pictures, Michael Rosen's poems are ideal for reading aloud with toddlers ... and many grown-ups will soon know them by heart!

From the team behind the bestselling The Hug, a heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing. Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great, big hug. But they weren't allowed to touch. "Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them." So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved. A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

When Dad loses his car keys, toddler Mary has a suggestion: why not see what's hiding down the back of the chair? But when they look, they get more than a few surprises... This lively, eccentric poem is a visual explosion of fun and imagination, featuring dragons, pirates, treasure, lions, elephants and much more. Margaret Mahy's classic story celebrates the wonderful everyday, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of readers young and old. "The entertainment, humour, and exuberance of it all arises from what Dad finds... Mahy's text rollicks along in rhythm and rhyme, and Polly Dunbar's graphics are akin to a fireworks display on the page; words, phrases and pictorial images metaphorically pop up and explode like stardust over the double spreads" - School Librarian

The debut children's book from Ted Hughes award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus that tracks a father-and-son journey into the discovery and management of deafness. This new paperback edition includes an illustrated BSL alphabet. Boy Bear cannot hear Dad Bear coming to wake him up in the morning but he can feel the floor vibrate with his heavy footsteps. He can only grasp little bits of what his teacher says to him at school. He cannot catch what his friends are laughing at. And, all the time, Boy Bear keeps hearing the question, "Can Bears ski?" What does it mean? With the support of Dad Bear, Boy Bear visits an audiologist and, eventually, he gets hearing aids. Suddenly, he understands the question everyone has been asking him: "CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Raymond Antrobus, the award-winning poet of The Perseverance, draws on his own experience to show how isolating it can be for a deaf child in a hearing world. But through his lyrical and moving words, matched with Polly's stunning imagery, he also shows how many ways there are to communicate love. With a solid network, Boy Bear will find his place in the world.

The acclaimed Polly Dunbar (Penguin, Tilly and Friends) offers, through a lively, read-aloud story, a meditative and effective way to calm the toddler tantrum.

Every toddler feels frustrated sometimes, every toddler gets ANGRY. They scream, they shout, they see RED RED RED. Now, in her singularly expressive style, the beloved Polly Dunbar brings us the perfect picture story book to share with those little ones overwhelmed by their emotions; a true-to-life, upbeat story about a toddler tantrum that offers a meditative way to calm them down. “Why not count to ten?” Mum suggests to her son. “One … two … three…”

A gloriously illustrated first book of poetry, collecting together verse from a range of well-known authors. Here's a Little Poem is a superb selection of over fifty poems by English and American authors, including Wendy Cope, Roger McGough, John Agard, Grace Nichols, Colin McNaughton, Jack Prelutsky, Langston Hughes and many more. Affectionately describing the early experiences of young children, this is a warmly illustrated, imaginative world of first encounters. Simple text and exuberant illustrations make this an ideal introduction for young children to the wonderful world of poetry.

When he lands a starring role in the school Christmas play of The Owl and the Pussycat, Michael is over the moon. He is going to be Owl - Too-wit-too-woo! And when his best friend, Belinda, is chosen to be Cat, Michael can't believe his luck - Miaow! But will it be all right on the night? Find out in this true story of first love and first-night nerves.

Hedgehog was feeling sad.

As sad as a hedgehog can feel.

So sad only one thing could help...

Tortoise was feeling sad.

As sad as a tortoise can feel.

So sad only one thing could help...

In this clever flipbook, both a hedgehog and a tortoise are looking for a hug. They ask all the other animals they come across but for some reason no one will hug them. Until a wise owl explains: Hedgehog is too spiky; Tortoise is too bony.

And that's when they find each other!

A beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You.

The bestselling and heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing, from the team behind The Hug. Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great, big hug. But they weren't allowed to touch. "Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them." So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved. A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

There were so many things that Tortoise wanted to do. So many games to play and rocks to climb. Oops. Tortoise was stuck. Tortoise was not happy. Tortoise is not having a good day and now he's stuck in a hole and is far too upset for hugs. Hedgehog sits and waits and then makes Tortoise laugh - taking the time to let the moment pass, and acknowledge how Tortoise feels.

A beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You. Hedgehog was feeling sad. As sad as a hedgehog can feel. So sad only one thing could help . . . Tortoise was feeling sad. As sad as a tortoise can feel. So sad only one thing could help . . . In this clever flipbook, both a hedgehog and a tortoise are looking for a hug. They ask all the other animals they come across but for some reason no one will hug them. Until a wise owl explains: Hedgehog is too spiky; Tortoise is too bony. And that's when they find each other! 'Feels like being enveloped in your very own hug.' Kirkus 'A smashing story time tale.' Books for Keeps 'It's utterly lovely. It makes her face light up every time she hears it.' The Guardian Best Books of 2019

Fantastically funny, wise and charming motherhood sketches from award-winning illustrator Polly Dunbar.

'Go away, I'm busy writing about the beauty of motherhood.'

Polly Dunbar is an award-winning illustrator who usually draws for children rather than adults, but when she had her own sons, she started recording the beautiful and maddening moments of parenthood with a doodle.

Hello, Mum is her visual diary of the magical highs and absurd lows that many parents will recognise - from the shock and awe of the baby days to the delight (and terror) of the toddler years and the mayhem of sibling rivalry. Dunbar's fantastically funny, wise and enchanting drawings capture this precious and fleeting time with heart-touching perfection.

Tiger was feeling sleepy. As sleepy as sleepy can be. So sleepy only one thing could help... Crocodile was feeling sleepy. As sleepy as sleepy can be. So sleepy only one thing could help... Tiger and Crocodile are both looking for a goodnight kiss in this clever flip-book story. But the animals along the way don't seem very forthcoming! Perhaps it's those sharp little teeth that they can see when Tiger and Crocodile yawn. Then they see a sharp-toothed shadow... eek! But don't worry it's just Daddy Croc and Mummy Tiger, come to kiss their little ones goodnight. A delightful, snuggly bedtime story that celebrates blended families and kindred spirits.

Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great, big hug. But they weren't allowed to touch. "Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them." So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved. A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

There were so many things that Tortoise wanted to do. So many games to play and rocks to climb. Oops. Tortoise was stuck. Tortoise was not happy. Tortoise is not having a good day and now he's stuck in a hole and is far too upset for hugs. Hedgehog sits and waits and then makes Tortoise laugh - taking the time to let the moment pass, and acknowledge how Tortoise feels.

Hedgehog was feeling sad.

As sad as a hedgehog can feel.

So sad only one thing could help...

Tortoise was feeling sad.

As sad as a tortoise can feel.

So sad only one thing could help...

In this clever flipbook, both a hedgehog and a tortoise are looking for a hug. They ask all the other animals they come across but for some reason no one will hug them. Until a wise owl explains: Hedgehog is too spiky; Tortoise is too bony.

And that's when they find each other!

A beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You.

Everyone's favourite (socially distanced) characters return to help us through this challenging period. Hedgehog is waiting for his friend Tortoise to wake up. But where is he and when will he wake? Hedgehog's friends are all very lovely, but they just aren't as much fun at the beach, or at hide and seek, or at holding hands, or at hugs. Tortoise begins to stir - the one boulder that Hedgehog didn't think he could lift to turn . . . Tortoise has been dreaming of Hedgehog. And the hug that follows is their best yet! A charming and touching new tale from the creators of the bestselling While We Can't Hug!

Tiger was feeling sleepy. As sleepy as sleepy can be. So sleepy only one thing could help... Crocodile was feeling sleepy. As sleepy as sleepy can be. So sleepy only one thing could help... Tiger and Crocodile are both looking for a goodnight kiss in this clever flip-book story. But the animals along the way don't seem very forthcoming! Perhaps it's those sharp little teeth that they can see when Tiger and Crocodile yawn. Then they see a sharp-toothed shadow... eek! But don't worry it's just Daddy Croc and Mummy Tiger, come to kiss their little ones goodnight. A delightful, snuggly bedtime story that celebrates blended families and kindred spirits.

Everyone's favourite (socially distanced) characters return to help us through this challenging period. Hedgehog is waiting for his friend Tortoise to wake up. But where is he and when will he wake? Hedgehog's friends are all very lovely, but they just aren't as much fun at the beach, or at hide and seek, or at holding hands, or at hugs. Tortoise begins to stir - the one boulder that Hedgehog didn't think he could lift to turn . . . Tortoise has been dreaming of Hedgehog. And the hug that follows is their best yet! A charming and touching new tale from the creators of the bestselling While We Can't Hug!

The bestselling and heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing, from the team behind The Hug. Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great, big hug. But they weren't allowed to touch. "Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them." So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved. A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

This illustrated wordless version of the poem "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear is told through the beautiful artwork of award-winning illustrator Polly Dunbar. This illustrated wordless version of the poem "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear is told through the beautiful artwork of award-winning illustrator Polly Dunbar. Lilac/Band 0 books are wordless books that tell a story through pictures and are designed to develop understanding about how stories work. Children can recap the story of the owl and the pussycat using the pictures in the story map on pages 14-15. Text type: A wordless story Curriculum links: Personal, social and emotional development