The rise and rise of knitting as a cool pastime has led to circles and clubs springing up everywhere from New York to Notting Hill and alternative craft-fairs are fast becoming a weekend institution as ever more people are reclaiming these age old hobbies and asserting their individuality through making stuff. "Making Stuff" is an eclectic craft book for the new millennium. It is a testament to a trend that is only going to get bigger. Whether you are a seasoned crafter looking for new ideas or a novice with a penchant for gaffer tape, this book is for you. Utilising both traditional craft materials and thrifty finds, this book gathers together over 50 projects from established members of the craft scene that will undoubtedly inspire you to get your craft on. "Making Stuff" simultaneously rejects and embraces traditionally old-fashioned activities like knitting, embroidery, crochet and felting. Whilst the skills remain the same, the results have a modern edge: an eclectic mix of the useful, the hip, the beautiful and the downright weird. A section at the beginning lays out the basic skills you need to make something out of nothing: knitting, sewing, crochet, felting and applique. Over 50 ideas are then laid out with clear illustrations guiding you every step of the way. Projects include: how to knit an i-Pod cover; fashion a purse from your old school-ties; stitch one piece of fabric into a stylish smock-dress; turn an old jumper into a cuddly toy; make a notebook out of record covers; fold beautiful origami fairy-lights; and, knit unwanted t-shirts into a bathmat or weave a placemat. There are also a plethora of ingenious ways to customise your clothes, make your own jewellery, decorate your home, recycle your old possessions and fashion baby clothes and toys for the children in your life.

A simple, engaging story introducing ideas of non-binary identities, tolerance and acceptance to very young readers, from the writer of the critically acclaimed picture book, The Pocket Chaotic. Praise for Alex and Alex ''What a fun book for illustrating gender fluidity! With its polka dot endpapers and bright primary colors, this cheerful book shows that gender does not matter to good friends''. -- Youth Services Book Review ''Need many more books like this one for young children!'' -- Net Galley ''Alex and Alex is brilliant in its simplicity. I can't recommend it highly enough!'' -- Picture Book Perfect ''What a wonderful book that I think every child making their first steps socially should have read to them''. -- The Great British Bookworm ''The lack of gender and deliberate avoidance of stereotypes makes this a useful book to help children think more about what allows people to get along and like each other''. -- School Reading List ''Definitely the best book I have come across that sensitively discusses the concept of being non-binary without preaching or taking away from the playful plot for children''.-- The Value's Bookshelf Alex and Alex have lots of things in common. They love playing, and dressing up and building things. They also are very different to one another; Alex is very messy and Alex is very tidy, Alex likes running and kicking a ball and Alex likes reading and dreaming. After a trip to the museum goes a little bit awry, Alex and Alex have some cooling off time. But they always make up because Alex really really really really really really REALLY.... likes Alex! This is a book for very young readers introducing ideas of tolerance and friendship in a completely non-gendered way. Neither character is identified as a boy or a girl, and the activities that each one enjoys is a mix of traditional 'boy' and 'girl' things Aimed at children who are just at the cusp of gender awareness and role-play, it provides a much needed counter-balance to more traditional, binary pre-school literature. Boldly illustrated by Ben Javen.

Remember, Humphrey; never run, never jump, and NEVER. EVER. sit on a wall! Humphrey’s parents have taught their son to be cautious. Make sure you double knot your shoelaces. Never run. Never jump. And never ever EVER sit on a wall. You remember what happened to your uncle... Humphrey anxiously heeds their advice until the day he bumps into Princess Jean (PJ) in the park. An adventurer through and through, PJ tells him tales of all her antics and mishaps. Humphrey is so engrossed, he doesn’t notice the park is closing. Oh no! How will Humphrey get home? There’s only one way out. OVER. THE. WALL! The Egg Incident is a joyous reversal of the traditional Humpty Dumpty tale of caution that will delight middle-grade readers who are tiptoeing towards independence themselves.

Gory Rory is having a TERRIBLE day, and the LAST thing he needs is a KISS. Everything is going wrong for Gory Rory Fangface. First, he ran out of cereal and then his favourite jumper was in the wash and then it rained on the way to school. Does Gory Rory need a kiss? No, he most certainly DOESN’T. The day gets progressively worse; he’s forgotten his homework, it’s egg salad for lunch, and then mum is late for pick-up. A kiss perhaps? NO WAY. On the way home it rains again, there’s homework to finish and the internet is down. Gory Rory has reached the end of his tether – it really has been the WORST DAY EVER. But sometimes... just sometimes... when you really really need them... kisses can make it all better. A heartwarming story about the power of affection to lighten up even the darkest of days.

A timely and relatable tale about the importance of connecting to the introvert inside. Marjorie is a happy snail. She loves her family and friends, but sometimes she just needs a bit of alone time. At these moments, Marjorie wanders off to try to find a quiet space, but her friends and family just follow her trail of slime and find her. ‘How can I find some space for myself?’ wonders Marjorie, and as she wonders, she wanders, here and there, back and forth, this way and that until she is entirely and marvellously lost. But the joys of solitude are short lived, and Marjorie swiftly realises that she can’t find her way back. Luckily, she stumbles on a good friend who helps her on her way and offers her some sage advice. A natural follow on from the critically acclaimed ‘Pocket Chaotic’, this simple, layered story is exquisitely brought to life by Christos Kourtoglou, an emerging Greek illustrator with a distinctive watercolour style. It addresses the disjunction that kids and adults feel (particularly in a post-lockdown era) between our introvert and extrovert selves.

Long-listed for the UKLA 2023 Book Awards for Children's Fiction. A beautifully illustrated and presented intergenerational graphic novel that follows 11-year-old Benji and his elderly grandmother, Bubbe Rosa, as they traverse Brooklyn and Manhattan, gathering the ingredients for a Friday night dinner. Praise for Alte Zachen ''The graphic novel format brilliantly allows us to see Bubbe in both her present and her past, allowing the reader to better understand her in all her cranky, opinionated grandeur, along with her sweet, caring grandson, Benji. A wonderful intergenerational story about the value of old things." -- Marissa Moss, Children's Book Author & Illustrator ''To outsiders, Benji's Bubbe is just a crabby old lady. To the boy, and eventually to us, she becomes a vulnerable figure deserving of great tenderness. "Alte Zachen" is less ambitious and searing than Art Spiegelman's "Maus," but like that graphic novel it expands our understanding of the gulf that can exist between generations, particularly those divided by catastrophe''. -- Wall Street Journal ''Bubbe is a delight and the love and patience Benji shows for her is so uplifting. This is award-winning storytelling''. -- Books for Keeps ''A powerful and affecting story from author and publisher Ziggy Hanaor, with atmospheric illustrations from Benjamin Phillips''. -- Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Bubbe's relationship with the city is complex & nothing is quite as she remembered it and she feels alienated and angry at the world around her. Benji, on the other hand, looks at the world, and his grandmother, with clear-eyed acceptance. As they wander the city, we catch glimpses of Bubbe's childhood in Germany, her young adulthood in 1950s Brooklyn, and her relationships; first with a baker called Gershon, and later with successful Joe, Benji's grandfather. Gradually we piece together snippets of Bubbe's life, gaining an insight to some of the things that have formed her cantankerous personality. The journey culminates on the Lower East Side in a moving reunion between Rosa and Gershon, her first love. As the sun sets, Benji and his Bubbe walk home over the Williamsburg Bridge to make dinner. This is a powerful, affecting and deceptively simple story of Jewish identity, of generational divides, of the surmountability of difference and of a restless city and its inhabitants.

A book about becoming independent for the first time. This stylish book with a relatable story is a joy for children and adults alike. The beautiful illustrations use muted tones with pops of neon orange, mixing gentle watercolour and bold strokes' -- Book Trust 'A charming and well-crafted picture book story.' -- School Reading List A young kangaroo called Alexander lives in his mum, Nancy's pocket. Alexander loves his mum, but there's one thing she does that really drives him nuts. She is always putting stuff in her pocket. Alexander tries to keep things neat, but the more he tidies, the more stuff she shoves in there. When he complains, his sister calls him a baby - it's time to leave the pouch anyway. But Alexander loves it in there - it's warm and cosy and smells of mum. Then one day, it gets really bad. Twelve bobby pins, a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of water, a packet of chewing gum, two bus tickets, some keys, a toy car and a cookbook all find their way into Nancy's pouch. And that's just for starters. Finally Alexander's had enough. 'I can't take it any more!' he shouts. 'I'm moving out!' So Alexander moves into the room next to his sister's. They make it all cosy, with a furry blanket and shelves for all his stuff. So it's just like his mum's pouch. Almost. The penultimate spread is Alexander sleeping with all his stuff strewn around him. The final spread is Nancy clearing out her pocket with a wink. It was time for Alexander to go. This is a heartwarming tale about a connection between a son and mother and a journey towards independence, beautifully brought to life.

A beautiful little story that encompasses values such as perseverance, assertiveness and positivity through the most unlikely of antagonists, the modest little fly! -- IBBY UK Fly Flies has a really strong message about staying true to yourself and not being swayed by others. It's a terrific book. -- Get Kids Into Books Fly just wants to have fun flying, but everyone she meets thinks she's doing it all WRONG! Fly is happily practicing her flying in the park, doing some wibbles and some wobbles and some waveys. Blackbird, Seagull, Starling and Hawk take turns giving Fly advice about the best way to fly; fly in a straight line, glide on the wind, fly in a flock, dive onto your food.... Fly tries to take their advice on board, but each time finds that this is not HER way to fly. With a sweet, witty twist at the end, this is a delightful book about staying true to yourself in the face of people who insist they know better.