TIMID (Harry Woodgate)

Timid! (Little Tiger Press, 2022) tackles shyness and finding the courage and strength to overcome our worries and nerves. It also has some incidental non-binary representation too which is sadly lacking in children’s picture books. It’s an adorable story and Timmy’s friend, Nia, provides support and encouragement throughout.

It’s a book full of sparkly, theatrical costumes, bright, modern illustrations and a strong reminder that we can do anything we put our minds to!

(Reviewed by Ian Eagleton, author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman)

THE MARVELLOUS DOCTORS FOR MAGICAL CREATURES (Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry)

Meet Ava and her dads in this heart-warming, magical new story from the creators of the stand-out picture book The Pirate Mums! From the very first pages we are introduced to dragons with sore throats and mermaids with measles. There’s plenty to explore and pore over as young Ava meets Glitterbug, a poorly unicorn. But why is Glitterbug so unwell and sad? It’s a mystery that Ava sets out to solve!

Over the course of the story, Ava teaches Glitterbug that there’s more than one way to be a unicorn and it’s perhaps the trying to fit in and be like everyone else that’s making Glitterbug ill. Visual jokes and puns make this book a real treat and it’s brilliant that Ava’s dads and their relationship never overshadow the story – they are just there supporting Ava and living their lives! A real treat for unicorn lovers or, indeed, anyone who’s struggling to fit in.

(Reviewed by Ian Eagleton, author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman)

FOREVER STAR (Gareth Peter, Judi Abbot)

This is the dark and starless sky, where just past the moon a planet drifts by.

And this is the planet that's full to the brim, with friendly and caring space people called . . . TIM!

Gareth is so passionate about creating books which encourage early conversations about the experiences of LGBTQ+ families for the youngest readers and Forever Star, illustrated by Judi Abbot, is a charming, soothing, and calming story about adoption.

In the story we meet Tim and Tim - a couple who long for a family and set off on a quest to find their very own star child. Tim and Tim’s adoption journey is told against a beautiful backdrop of shimmering stars, expansive galaxies, friendly aliens and colourful planets and Judi Abbot’s artwork is full of imagination and magic.

It’s a moving story where foster carers and foster homes are presented in a loving and positive manner. A great book to introduce the concept of adoption in a loving, gentle way.

(Reviewed by Ian Eagleton, author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman)

YOU NEED TO CHILL (Juno Dawson, Laura Hughes)

Author Juno Dawson is a super role-model for queer kids and You Need To Chill (Farshore, 2022) is an inclusive, bold, and funny read. When Bill can’t be found at school one day, the imaginations of the other children run wild. Is he on holiday? Is he lost in the park? Has he been eaten by a shark? Has he been taken to Mars by aliens? It’s up to Bill’s sister to explain…Bill is now Lily and if anyone has a problem with that, then they just need to chill!

The story makes it very clear that Lily is still the same brilliant, kind and clever sibling they’ve always been. Lily's family wrap her up in so much love and acceptance and that it’s the children that lead the way in setting an example about how to include others. Laura Hughes’ warm, lively illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the bouncy, rhyming text.

(Reviewed by Ian Eagleton, author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman)

NEN AND THE LONELY FISHERMAN (Ian Eagleton, James Mayhew)

This beautifully illustrated story of loneliness and love, celebrates merman Nen and his new friend Ernest who find each other, and happiness, despite the odds stacked against them.

Far out to sea and deep below the whispering waves lives a merman called Nen. Nen spends his days exploring his underwater kingdom, but something is missing: his heart is empty. So, Nen ventures to the forbidden world above and it is here that he meets Ernest, a lonely fisherman.

With echoes of traditional tales, such as The Little Mermaid, this clever, poignant and beautiful book is packed with soothing language and beautiful imagery. An inclusive, hopeful story about love, friendship and acceptance, with a subtle thread about how to treat the ocean.

MY DADDIES! (Gareth Peter, Garry Parsons)

My Daddies (Puffin, 2021) is a lovely celebration of imagination and stories as well as adoption and LGBTQ+ families. Battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down in a wonderfully cosy bedtime ending.

The joyful rhyming text and artwork is full of life. The story was inspired by Gareth Peter’s own experience as a parent within a same-sex couple. This would be a wonderful and important to read with any child, in order for them to see all different kinds of families that exist.

(Reviewed Naomi Jones, author of Thunder Boots)

PIRATE MUMS (Jodie Lancet-Grant, Lydia Corry)

 In Pirate Mums (OUP, 2022) more than anything Billy wishes his swash-buckling, sea-loving mums would be normal and a bit less piratey. They’re not exactly what you'd call ordinary: his mums won't listen to NORMAL music, they love to sing sea shanties and dance jigs in the lounge. Their clothes are highly unusual, they have a rude parrot for a pet, and their taste in house design is, well . . . FISHY!

Billy wishes his family could be more like everyone else's. However, when disaster strikes on a school trip out to sea, his mum’s nautical knowledge might just save the day.

This is a funny adventure story that also celebrates same sex families.

(Reviewed Naomi Jones, author of Thunder Boots)

OUT OF THE BLUE (Robert Tregoning, Stef Murphy)

‘Only Blue Allowed',’ by Blue government demand.
Anything that isn't blue, by colour law, is banned.

In a world where only blue is allowed, a boy finds a yellow rubber duck and hides it. He assumes loving yellow must be bad, but with the unconditional love and a bold plan from his dad, he learns it’s ok to live life in whatever shade he likes. Coming out of the blue and living life in technicolour, encourages other people to celebrate their differences too. Soon there are colours everywhere - a whole rainbow of colours shining for all to see.

Gloriously illustrated by Stef Murphy with lovely sweeping illustrations, and told in beautiful rhyme by Robert Tregoning, this picture book is a stunning celebration of being yourself and living in all the colours of the rainbow, championing difference and diversity. A perfect book for #LGBTplusHM.

MILLIE’S BIG DECISION (Ian Eagleton, Max Rambaldi)

Millie has just lost her gran, so she definitely doesn’t want to get a dog.

There would be lots to look forward to…

But what happens when the dog has to go, leaving Millie all alone?

Millie is scared of letting anyone in, even a dog. But the love of her dads helps her to learn that everyone has to die at some point and that life is all about loving special people that you’ll miss when they’re gone.

Whilst losing those we love hurts a lot, there are lots wonderful memories and times together that last forever, and so Millie finds the perfect pup and the adventures begin.

Millie’s Big Decision (Tate, 2023) is a touching tale of love, loss and memories.

THE WOODCUTTER AND THE SNOW PRINCE (Ian Eagleton, David Ortu)

The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince (Owlett Press, 2022) invites young readers to enter the world of a lonely woodcutter named Kai, who carves statues for passers-by each winter. One magical night, Kai is visited by the much-feared snow prince who has a heart of ice. But Kai sees hope in the prince's eyes.

This very unique picture book sees Kai break the snow prince's curse, freeing him from the ice-palace where he has been imprisoned, and freeing himself from his loneliness, too. Kai shows immense bravery, succeeding against the odds, leaving the reader feeling uplifted and empowered.

Ian's soothing and lyrical text perfectly depicts the nuanced emotions and wintry scenes. Davide's illustrations portray danger and adventure, whilst also sprinkling the story with a special friendship that glistens and shines like snow.