Poetry legend John Agard’s own selection of over 80 of his poems for younger readers, in a gift hardback edition. A legend in his own lifetime, John Agard is in a class by himself among leading poets for children. Here is a selection of 80 poems from the 1970s on, again available to entertain, delight, and challenge young readers.

From the poems, No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock to The Last Bird, there is huge variety in this enormous range of poems from John Agard. This book will bring poetry alive to children of all ages, even though it is focussed on a younger age group.

John Agard is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and amongst other major achievements, he was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2012. A brilliant poet with an astute look on life.

Superbly evocative illustrations from Shirley Hottier, which match the theme of the poems so well.

Otter-Barry Books have always brought great poetry books for children and this is an amazing new title to have.

Love this edition and will donate the book to my favourite small school.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

What happens when the summer ends? With beautifully drawn characters, lyrical depictions of the natural landscape, brotherly love, family loyalty – and surfing. A powerful and thought-provoking summer read.

Rhys lives in a small town on the Devon coast, where seasonal work dries up as winter storms hit, housing is hard to come by and livelihoods are threatened by distant bureaucrats. Life is much harder for Rhys and his two younger brothers than tourists can possibly know.

It is only when surfing that Rhys finds solace in the beauty around him: the crashing waves, towering cliffs and sandy beaches. But when that solace is taken, his tinder-dry rage is soon ignited. Determined to defend his family from a life blighted by social neglect and poverty, Rhys is drawn to Dodo, a radical political activist. Before long, Rhys’ actions spiral out of control, with dire consequences for himself and those he loves.

Nicola Garrard is a poet, and author of the critically-acclaimed novels 29 Locks and 21 Miles. She grew up on the Devon coast, growing vegetables and fishing to eke out her family’s earnings. Nicola has been a teacher in Inner London for over 20 years and now lives in West Sussex with her wife, three children and dog.

Old Barn Books are an independent publisher with a great collection of books for all ages of children. On the Edge is in their YA / crossover novel in August 2025. Nicola Garrard’s writing is beautiful and she has a keen ear for teen language and concerns. You really won’t be able to put this one down!

Amazingly for me, I read to the end in two sessions, the first time for ages that I have become so entranced with a book. A must read for the summer holidays.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

What happens when the summer ends? Sea, surf and impossible dreams… This book had me fixed as soon as I read the first few pages, the story is powerful beyond measure. It fixes with a time in your life when dreams are to be made but yet life gets in the way! A story for YA/crossover and for anyone who has, or had dreams!

Rhys lives in a small town on the Devon coast, where seasonal work dries up as winter storms hit, housing is hard to come by and livelihoods are threatened by distant bureaucrats. Life is much harder for Rhys and his two younger brothers than tourists can possibly know.

It is only when surfing that Rhys finds solace in the beauty around him: the crashing waves, towering cliffs and sandy beaches. But when that solace is taken, his tinder-dry rage is soon ignited. Determined to defend his family from a life blighted by social neglect and poverty, Rhys is drawn to Dodo, a radical political activist. Before long, Rhys’ actions spiral out of control, with dire consequences for himself and those he loves.

Nicola Garrard, author, grew up in South Devon and reflects her knowledge of the area into the book, bringing it alive. Her previous novel 29 Locks has been shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction and its sequel 21 Miles has had excellent reviews.

Old Barn Books is an independent publisher of amazing books including picture books and fiction for +9 years. They look for the best in both illustration and writing.

In a short time as I read this book, it just gripped me and held me in its grasp. I recommend it hugely and would say… ‘”Just buy it!”

Sue Martin Specialist in Children’s Literature

A brilliant celebration of the many wonderful animals from around the whole world! From rainforests to rockpools, woodlands to cities, One World, Many Animals introduces children to the amazing animals in different types of habitats. 

We share the world with millions of other animal species. They live in hot places, cold places, busy places and wild places. Planet Earth is their home, just like it is our home.

Discover where your favourite animals live, then learn how you can help wildlife around you with tips from travel writer Ben Lerwill.

•  From a jaguar creeping through the steamy Amazonian rainforest to a snow leopard on a Himalayan mountainside, there are plenty of animals to see
  
•  Beautiful illustrations and lyrical descriptions bring to life coral reefs, sandy deserts, woodlands, rockpools and the bustling city – plus more!
  
•  A perfect introduction to biodiversity around the world
  
•  A wonderful companion title to One World, Many Colours

One World, Many Animals will delight readers with vibrant descriptions of wild animals from Ben Lerwill, and there is so much to spot in the colourful pages brought to life with artwork by Alette Straathof. Another brilliant book from words and Pictures, part of the Quarto Group, such beautiful books

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

Explore the wonders of bees with this gorgeously illustrated book by renowned zoologist Camilla de la Bedoyere and award-winning illustrator Philip Giordano.

This delightfully wild book covers everything a young nature lover could want to discover about bees. From learning how bees use their bodies to communicate with each other to understanding how a swarm is formed, this book is filled with fascinating facts about bees. With eye-catching illustrations and practical tips, Wild Your World Bees is the ideal guide to understanding and nurturing the wildlife that shares our world.

The book begins with a comprehensive introduction to bees. Learn all about bee basics, from the make-up of a bee’s anatomy to how honey is made. Then, discover the many different species of bees across the world, from orchid bees to mason bees.

This carefully crafted guide features:

Expert Knowledge Made Accessible
Written by Zoologist Camilla de la Bedoyere, this book breaks down detailed information into fun, digestible segments suitable for children.

Illustrations That Educate and Entertain
Experience the wonders of the natural world with vivid illustrations and diagrams, with plenty of fascinating details to pore over.

Practical Tips for Helping Wildlife
Discover practical tips for helping bees thrive where you live.

The Wild Your World series immerses young readers in the natural world with expert knowledge and rich illustrations. Discover more about the wild around you with Wild Your World Birds.

An amazing series and a beautiful book, ideal for schools, libraries and homes too.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

The Story of a Young Actor in Shakespeare’s London

Written and Illustrated by Christina Balit

At a time when boy actors played female roles, a street orphan becomes a Globe Theatre star in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Jack is an orphan earning a few pennies as a street singer. Snatched up by a greedy chorus master, he sings before Queen Elizabeth I, where his beautiful voice attracts William Shakespeare. At the Globe Theatre Jack learns all the arts of staging and performing. And when the great playwright needs a special boy to play Queen Titania in his magical new play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will Jack be up to the challenge?

This book brings the whole scene of Shakespeare’s England come alive. Through the eyes of a young boy, Jack who starts work at the Globe Theatre and then goes to sing as Queen Titania in Midsummer Night’s Dream. When Queen Elizabeth said, “Deliver this Jack, to the Globe” he was on his way to a new chance in life.

A wonderful introduction to Shakespeare and the time of Queen Elizabeth the First.

Stunningly written and illustrated by Christina Balit, who has written and illustrated over 20 books for children. She uses a variety of materials including water colours, gouache and gold inks.

Otter-Barry Books are the publishers of this beautiful and engaging book for all ages.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

Packed with over 300 species of bird, this beautiful encyclopedia will take you on an incredible journey through the world of birds, helping you find out about the amazing feathered creatures that share our planet. From tropical parrots and toucans to sea birds and eagles, find out all about birds with this informative first guide and reference book.

Handsome enough to treasure in a beloved home library and thorough and rigorous enough to be returned to in the classroom or school library again and again. A perfect reference book and companion for families to look at after long walks or while spotting things in the garden. This is just the thing to help children decode the skies and hedgerows aflutter with feathered wildlife.

Jules Howard is the author, zoology correspondent, and science presenter. As well as writing regularly for The Guardian and BBC Wildlife Magazine, Jules appears regularly on TV and radio, including BBC Breakfast. He has written numerous books for both adults and children on the natural world. 

Namasri Niumim was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, and graduated from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, in the School of Architecture and Design. She discovered the joy of gouache painting in 2016 and has worked with gouache ever since.

Wide Eyed Books are an imprint of Quarto and have a great portfolio of books for children.

Encyclopaedia of Birds is a beautifully published book with a wide amount of information and will appeal hugely to children from 6-26!

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

From the award-winning creator of I Love Books comes a humorous and heartfelt tale about the value of kindness and the magic of making new friends. Oh, Carrots! is the perfect choice for young children as they begin to navigate their first friendships. 

I love the books of Happy Yak, an imprint of Quarto Kids, such a brilliant collection, eye catching designs and Oh Carrots! is right there with appeal, interest and a message of friendship.

Mr Rabbit lives alone, and do you know what? He likes it! He enjoys peaceful moments spent reading, drinking cups of tea, and gardening – but sometimes it can get a little too quiet . . .

Luckily, Spring has arrived, and that means Mr Rabbit can plant his favourite vegetable – carrots! 

With some love, sunshine, and a little bit of singing, the carrots begin to grow. But one day, Mr Rabbit spots something unusual – a wiggling carrot top! He pulls and pulls, and out pops a walking, talking carrot. 

Carrot only wants to be Mr Rabbit’s friend, but Mr Rabbit just wants to be left alone! From leaving soil all over the sofa to rummaging through Mr Rabbit’s books, Carrot’s mischievous antics leave the solitary rabbit feeling a bit irritated. 

Yet, as the day unfolds, Mr Rabbit finds himself starting to enjoy the company. He’s so used to being all alone that he’s never even considered having a friend. Maybe now is the perfect time for that to change. 
Mariajo Ilustrajo is an award-winning Spanish illustrator based in the UK. She completed her MA in Children’s Illustration from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, before going on to be crowned the overall winner of the World Illustration Awards. Her debut picture book, Flooded, has been translated into 20 languages and won the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration.

Super new book and the two seed bombs I received are going straight in the garden!

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

This narrative non-fiction book brings to life the powerful story of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii, based on the first-hand account of Pliny the Younger.  It is packed with accessible information through exciting and descriptive text and illustrations.

The year is 79 AD. Seventeen year-old Roman student Pliny the Younger is at his home across the bay from the bustling town of Pompeii, where people are going about their daily business. The tremors that sometimes shake the ground are coming more frequently than usual, but all are unaware of the cataclysmic event that is about to unfold. Meanwhile, underground, pressure is building beneath the mountain that looms over the surrounding towns and villages. What follows is one of the most extraordinary and frightening natural distasters in recorded history.

This dramatic retelling is based on letters written by Roman historian Pliny the Younger after the event, and is reimagined featuring characters from the town of Pompeii who are known to have existed, such as the businesswoman Julia Felix and politician Julius Polybius.

The story describes the various stages of the eruption, as well as detailing how the history of Pompeii was later uncovered by archaeologists. A timeline and glossary provide extra information, ideal for history enthusiasts.

Beth Waters is an illustrator and printmaker originally from Yorkshire now living and working in Cambridge, UK. She is a graduate of the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, her first book, Child St Kilda, was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Christopher Harrisson is a writer, artist and animator living in Bristol, UK.

Wide Eyed are an imprint of the Quarto Group and publish excellent and beautiful books on a wide range of topics for children and young people.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist