TEAMWORK
MAGPIE AND THE SPARKLING WORDS (Lucy Rowland, Craig Shuttlewood)
Magpie and the Sparkling Words (Templar, 2026) is a dazzling, rhyming picture book that’s vocabulary-rich and celebrates the joy of language.
From her nest, Magpie listens to the wonderful words of the animals in the wood and gathers them up for her nest; “These sparkling words just for me!" At first, Magpie doesn’t notice that the magical, mystical wood doesn’t glitter as it used to. But then she realises that the other animals are staying quiet, so that their words can’t be squirrelled away.
When a storm hit Magpie's nest, her stash of sparkling words fly back down to the forest where they belong and Magpie sees that language is made for sharing. An especially powerful moment is when Magpie says ‘sorry’ and when the animals come together as a team to create something special.
This beautifully illustrated, sparkling story weaves together themes of kindness and teamwork. It’s packed with a rich vocabulary that’s integrated into the illustrations. It’s sure to encourage readers to collect and share their own favourite words - there’s even a ‘Sparkling Words’ activity tree at the back of the book.
FOLLOW THE LEADER (Harriet Howe, Ariel Landy)
It’s a scorching day and Bear, Monkey and Armadillo are off to the lake. But who will lead the way? The tallest? The oldest? The loudest?
When Monkey suggests a trip to cool off at the lake, he announces that he is the leader. After all, he is the loudest and he does have the map. However, after a few hilarious mishaps and a map-tearing disaster, the three friends realise that adventures go a little more smoothly when they work as a team.
Ariel Landy’s expressive illustrations perfectly complement Harriet Howe’s playful and energetic text, making this a perfect book for young readers who are learning the tricky business of teamwork.
(Reviewed by Lucy Falkner, Books That Help mentee 2022-23)
FREE WELL-BEING CLASSROOM RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THIS TITLE
A TREE FOR EVERYONE (Kathy Urban, Rosie Butcher)
A Tree for Everyone (2025) is a warm and gently humorous picture book, with an imaginative central setting, which is sure to resonate with young children who have ever had to navigate the tricky business of sharing.
Centred on an old oak tree that serves as a castle, a pirate ship, and a rocket for three firm friends, the story takes a turn when a second group of children arrives, laying equal claim to their beloved space. What follows is an honest portrayal of conflict and its consequences, as angry words give way to a broken treehouse and a heavy silence. It is only through reflection, apology, and a willingness to begin again that the children find their way back to one another, and to something even better than before, rebuilding together what none of them could have created alone.
Alongside being a rich prompt for discussions around sharing and conflict resolution, the story is a particularly powerful celebration of teamwork, showing young children that collaboration not only resolves disagreement but produces something greater than any individual effort. It could prompt meaningful conversations in the Early Years classroom about what it means to say sorry, how to work together, and how friendships can grow in unexpected ways.
(Reviewed by Kara Kiernan of THE BOOK TRAIN)