Race to the Finish!
(Little Red Train series)
Benedict Blathwayt
(UK: Red Fox, 2009)
The nasty Swish Train drivers have challenged Duffy and Jack to a race and the winner gets to keep the Little Red Train’s very last route! When the flag goes down, the Swish Train speeds straight out of sight, but there’s worse to come… There’s oil on the tracks, sheep on the line and someone has switched the points! Can Jack’s quick-thinking save the day?
Recommended by:
Jane Johnson
Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (Race to the Finish!
Spinderella
Julia Donaldson and Sebastien Braun (illustrator)
(UK: Egmont, 2016)
Spinderella the spider has a passion for football! She tries to play a match with her brothers and sisters but she doesn’t know how many spiders should be on each team. Even worse, she can’t count the goals! Luckily for Spinderella, her Hairy Godmother has a plan . . .
Recommended by:
Christopher Norris, Jolabokaflod Book Campaign
Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (Spinderella)
The Snail and the Whale
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (illustrator)
(UK: Macmillan, 2016; USA:
One little snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the little snail feels so small in the vastness of the world. But when disaster strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it’s the tiny snail’s big plan that saves the day.
Recommended by:
Jane Johnson
Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (The Snail and the Whale
Available in the USA via Amazon (The Snail and the Whale
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman (illustrator)
(UK: Simon & Schuster, 2014; USA: Margaret K McElderry, 2008)
Bear’s friends are determined that he’s awake for Christmas, so they get him up from his hibernation on Christmas Eve. Bear is excited to experience the holiday with his friends and tries very hard to stay awake, helping to find the right Christmas tree, making mint tea and singing carols. Finally, though, it’s his friends who have fallen asleep – and Bear Stays Up! He makes food and presents for his friends, not noticing that Father Christmas has also come to visit. Christmas morning dawns bright and happy for all!
Recommended by:
Liz Fay
Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Available in the USA via Amazon (Bear Stays Up for Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Dr Zeuss
(UK: HarperCollins, 2016; USA: Random House Kids, 1957)
‘The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason…’
With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big surprise!
Recommended by:
Jane Johnson
Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)
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