Search results for ""Cicada Books Limited""

Shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize 2020 and the UKLA Book Awards 2021. Long-listed for the School Library Association Information Book Award 2020. 'Helping to educate the future generation about science fields with emergent interest' --Cressida Cowell, Waterstones Children’s Laureate A journey into the wonderful world of your microbiome. Within our bodies hides an entire world of organisms called microbes. They digest our food and protect our immune systems, and without them, we would die. Through Katie Brosnan’s personable illustrations, we follow the digestive process from the moment the food enters our mouths to the moment the waste leaves our bodies. Along the way we are introduced to a variety of microbes – good and bad – and gain an insight into the vast ecosystem that exists inside us. Scientists are only now beginning to comprehend the significance of our microbiome. This is a gorgeously presented introduction to a most fascinating scientific frontier.

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We often get asked about books to support the ‘Awesome Earth’ or ‘Natural Disasters’ topics for KS2 and we think we may have just found the perfect one. -- Books for Topics Featuring clear information about a comprehensive range of events, this colourful and fascinating guide is a real eye-opener. -- BookTrust An atlas of the most extreme meteorological and geological disasters that nature has to offer! We humans take our domination of the planet for granted, but sometimes nature reminds us that this is an illusion. Tectonics rip open the earth, vast waves sweep away coastal towns, magma spews from volcanoes and hurricanes lay waste to entire countries.This book explores nature at its most destructive. Clear, coherent explanations break down the science behind phenomena including hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes, alongside fascinating facts about the biggest and the worst. Informative, accessible illustrations by Sophie Williams make this so much more than your standard geography book.

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The story of a mouse and elephant who become pen pals despite some minor size differences. CK Smouha is the author of Born Bad, Sock Story and Iced Out (Cicada 2018 and 2019). Freddy the mouse is practising his skateboarding when a vast, white shape descends from the sky. It’s a huge letter from a science-loving elephant called Annabel! The two begin a correspondence in which they learn about each other’s very different lifestyle. One day, Freddy’s letters stop coming and Annabel must go to the big city to help him out of a pickle. This is a madcap romp about two friends who could not be more different. Hilarious illustrations play with scale discrepancies and are complemented by die cuts, flaps and special colours, bringing a message of tolerance and acceptance to life. Don’t be fooled by Penpals Forever: this hilarious book with cool illustrations actually conveys a serious message about tolerance and friendship, however different you might be from one another. -- School Librarian At its heart there is a lovely story about overcoming differences and distances to be friends – something it often seems like the whole world could do with learning! -- Father Reading and T This is a fun book that’s ultimate message is about accepting and tolerating differences, looking out for each other and, quite simply, how to be a good friend. -- Armadillo Children's Book Review Magazine

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Vajournal is a canvas on which to explore feminist rage. Thought provoking activities ask readers to list all the people they have ever slept with, describe their worst and best sexual experiences, and to relay their hopes and dreams, feelings about their bodies and experiences of every - day sexism. Plenty of blank space is left for thoughts and observations of female experience. Isabella Bunnell's beautiful illustrations bring the pages to life and invite further doodling and visual engagement.

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All sports have their quirks and rituals, but cycling has more than most. As the inexorable rise of the bicycle continues, many casual cyclists are moving into a more serious brand of cycling – riding in road races, groups or cycle clubs. And stumbling straight into a minefield of form and etiquette that those who have grown up in the clubs are well acquainted with. From how to choose the right bike frame to the rules of cycling in a paceline, there are things that any serious cyclist should know. Covering kit, bike, group riding, technique and training, The Road Cyclist’s Companion is a beautifully presented book that is an essential for anyone looking to step up their cycling ambitions.

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The first in a series of books by Elliot Kruszynski, exploring the histories of modern technologies, introduced and explained by a helpful (if somewhat arrogant) dog called Professor Wooford McPaw. Praise for The History of Cars ''A broad history, ideal for car lovers''.-- Kirkus ''Lots of vroom for car enthusiasts and history buffs alike''. -- Booklist ''This marvellous exploration of the history, design, engineering, technology and innovation of car-making is essential reading for any child with an interest in cars''. -- BookTrust ''A fantastic must-have book for any child with an interest in cars''. -- Just Imagine ''This is a great book for children who have expressed an interest in motor vehicles, for learning about changes in technology over time or as an introduction to the world of non-fiction books''. -- Reading Zone ''This book offers an interesting and informative history of cars with plenty of light-hearted, chatty asides!''-- North Somerset Teacher's Book Award In this title, Professor McPaw explores the history of the car, starting with the steam engine in the early 1800s, the advent of the combustion engine in 1872, the popularisation of the car by Henry Ford in the early 1900s, the evolution of motor racing, luxury cars of the 1950s, the Japanese innovations of the 1970s, and finally the new technologies of electric and self-driving cars today. The book is engagingly illustrated by Elliot Kruszynski, whose bright, clean, informative style appeals to children across a broad age range. The Professor and his sidekick (in this case a car, but changing with each book), discuss the intricacies of historical episodes along the way, lending a humorous, personal touch. Comic strip interludes capture key moments, like the first cross-country road trip by the wife of Karl Benz, inventor of the first gas-powered car; or the advent of Ford’s assembly line. Striking a refreshing balance between authoritative, clearly conveyed information, and witty, bright commentary, Professor McPaw will be a captivating tour-guide through the fascinating developments of the modern world.

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'Distinctive illustrations accompany this thought-provoking tale about the importance of self-expression, which could be used to explore the concepts of emotional intelligence, diversity and acceptance with young children. -- Book Trust The illustrations bring these colourful characters to life, especially in the depiction of Bailey and his amazing tail.' -- Reading Zone Dex is a Staffie with an unruly tail. All the other members of Dex's family are tough as nails, but Dex is cut from a different cloth. He likes to chat and play, and when he does, his tail wags wildly. When he's sad, his tail tucks under. Everyone can see exactly how he's feeling. The rest of Dex's family find it very embarrassing, so Dex tries to rein his tail in - to no avail. One day at the park, Dex is doing his best to control his tail when a big red dog called Bailey bounds up to him. Bailey has the waggiest, most ridiculous tail Dex has ever seen. They have a marvellous time playing, until Dex catches sight

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This super fun, bold and scribbly book about dogs and their owners is a lovely one for young ones and even older babies who will like the bold lines and contrast of the drawings. -- BookTrust 'Very cute read that is recommended for early childhood age.' -- Net Galley Nourishing and hilarious twenty minutes. -- School Reading List What came first - dogs that look like their owners or owners that look like their dogs? I wanted a dog... This one was perfect! Nobody wanted him because he looked scruffy.... but I’m a scruffy guy so that suited me just fine.After picking out the scruffiest dog at the pound, the narrator is surprised to find that Scruff isn’t what he initally seemed. He doesn’t want to catch sticks... or roll in the mud or swim in the pond. What could be the problem? It turns out that Scruff just loves being pampered! So the narrator goes along with it. They wash, brush, trim and polish together, until they are anything but scruffy! In their newly groomed state they go to the dog show... and win the prize for the dog that looks most like its owner! A funny story that is sure to charm dog-mad little ones and their parents.

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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.

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A brisk guide for the aspirant bike rider all the way from choosing a first bike to techniques for wheelies and bunny hops and the finer points of riding in a group. This multi-layering of information makes this an inspirational read on many levels. Praise for Young Cyclist's Companion! "A clear, fun, accessible, accurate, and encouraging guide for kids who love to bike". -- Kirkus Starred Review "Much like Chris Hoy’s guide, The Young Cyclist’s Companion is a fun and accessible guide sure to entertain and inform, well-supported by illustrations and photographs". -- We Love Cycling "Packed with a surprisingly large amount of useful and entertaining information. Best of all it makes you want to get out and ride". -- Bikemonger "A fantastic foray into the world of cycling and all things ‘bike’ for children, which could not have come at a better time". --The Literacy Tree "A great, bright and catchy non-fiction book, well supported by photographs and illustrations. This would be a great gift for children who have shown interest in cycling". -- Reading Zone "With a clever blend of introductory explanation and more in-depth tips for budding enthusiasts, this comprehensive hardback guide to owning and riding a bicycle will appeal to a wide range of children in KS2". -- School Reading List Who doesn’t remember what it feels like to be a young person on a bike. Cycling offers kids an unrivalled freedom and independence. With global cycling trends on a new, post-pandemic high, ever more young people are experiencing the joys of the beautiful machine. This book is aimed at young people who are already proficient cyclists and are keen to learn more. It explains all the basics: How to choose a bike (types of bike, getting the right fit), basic maintenance (changing a tire, cleaning your bike), cycling techniques (pedalling, gearing, cornering, bunny hops) and next level cycling (competitions and training). Alongside these informative texts there is a cornucopia of facts and trivia about the unusual habits of famous cyclists, the weirdest, biggest, furthest and longest bikes and journeys, the most useful cycling life-hacks, etc.

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In this beautiful search-and-find book, readers are invited to find a variety of endangered animals within their habitats. Densely detailed landscapes of a rainforest, coral reef, mountains and skies are harbouring within them numbats, and snow leopards and mountain gorillas. Isabella Bunnell’s glorious watercolours makes the job of scouring the images even more fun. At the back of the book a glossary lends an additional educational element, describing each species in detail and explaining why they are endangered. In these urgent times, awareness of the rich bio-diversity of our planet has never been more vital. This is a great way of getting children as young as three engaging with environmental issues. Reviews: Vibrantly illustrated, this is an important book that all children should read…books like these raise awareness in the people we need to educate the most--the children who will inherit the perilous habitats we are leaving behind. -- Kids Book Review This most stunning search-and-find book of endangered animals is a complete gem -- Picturebooks Blogger A beautiful way to introduce children to the concept of habitats as well as the importance of a balanced ecosystem. -- School Library Journal

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This is the story of a boy who loves his grandma, but can’t stand all her rules! She has rules for every room in the house – don’t jump on the bed, or play with the dolls, or leave the loo seat up, or play on the stairs…. But there is one rule that is more important than all the others. DON’T touch the big blue and white vase in the living room.When grandma pops out to the shops, the boy does his absolute best to follow the rules, but of course things go a little bit wrong. Like a terrible domino effect, one thing leads to another, until the big vase goes flying. CRASH! The boy tries to fix the vase but it comes out all wrong.When Grandma comes home, her horror swiftly turns to understanding when she sees how distraught her grandson is. She gives him the biggest hug she’s given him for a long long time. ‘You can break a vase’, she says, ‘but you could never break my heart. And anyway, I think I like the vase better this way!’This is a heart-warming tale about forgiving one’s mistakes, and about how some rules are not quite as important as they might seem. Gorgeous pencil illustrations bring the eccentric grandma and her pattern-filled house alive.

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Short-listed for the 2022 Queen’s Knickers Awards Have you ever stopped to think about what is happening at this very moment in time? In this poetic book about the present moment, Matthew Hodson explores what is happening in the natural world, at this very moment in time. Praise for At This Very Moment ''Soothing, rhythmic, often repetitive words and distinctive illustrations make this a lovely, quiet book that radiates calm''. -- Kirkus ''Matthew Hudson has created something quite unique for a class library. A book that, by its very nature, is a chance to be still, connect and relax''. -- Just Imagine ''Told with simplicity and a variety of landscapes, this is an enchanting story''. -- My Shelves Are Full ''A lullaby of a book''. -- The Literacy Tree ''This simple yet captivating book presents pre-school readers with highly illustrated scenes of what is happening right now''. -- School Reading List At this very moment There's a mouse There’s a small mouse waking up in the early morning sun And at this very moment There’s a whale There’s a blue whale singing whale song, deep beneath the sea As you sit and read this book Somewhere there’s a plum A plum so ripe a worm will come And eat it for its tea At This Very Moment is a beautifully poetic bedtime book for children ages 2 and up. Using simple but evocative language, it describes all the wonderful things that are going on around the world right now, this very second. In doing so, it asks the young reader to be present in this moment in time and to feel at one with the giant, magnificent organism that is our planet. In an entirely organic and unselfconscious way, this book encourages mindfulness and reflection as well as a sense of marvel at the world we live in. And at this very moment Somewhere there’s a baby There are babies everywhere Drifting off to sleep…

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Introducing a young child to the idea of a new sibling can be tricky to get right. This activity book offers parents a new way of starting a conversation with their child about the baby developing in mummy’s tummy. By doodling, colouring in and engaging with the illustrations, the older sibling is invited to think and talk about themselves, and in doing so, to think about the new baby and what life might be like when it arrives: These are the names of some baby animals, what is your name? What do you think Baby’s name should be? Which of these people look like members of your family? How do you think Baby will look? Baby can only drink milk, but you can eat all sorts of things. What are your favourite foods? The activities are brought to life in bright, on trend, paper cut illustrations. The first edition of this book was received to much critcal acclaim and featured as one of the top 10 parenting books in The Independent, 2016. It has sold in excess of 4,000 copies. An original, brilliant idea, in the form of a beautifully illustrated paperback picture book. -- It's All About Stories! This book is full of super activities to do with a soon to be sibling, from colouring to drawing to making choices of clothes, food and family. A lovely way to spend time together and encourage speech and conversation about the new arrival and to allay any fears and worries. -- My Shelves Are Full

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A beautifully illustrated picturebook about a sock that loses his pair and the identity crisis that ensues. It’s Phil and Dale’s favourite time of the week - the WASH! The two socks impress each other with their acrobatics; flipping, spinning and shrieking, much to the disapproval of the other clothes in the washing machine. But why should they care? They’ve got each other and that’s all that matters... right? When Phil goes missing, Dale is left contemplating life in solitude. After a brief encounter with a red shirt, he finds himself alone in the washing machine, lost and pink. When he is finally reunited with his buddy, Phil fails to recognise him and the socks must decide what being a pair means if one of you has changed.... Written in comic book form, with gorgeous crayon illustrations, this a tale of friendship and identity that will delight children and adults alike. A brilliant message reminding us to celebrate the differences of our friends! This story would be a good tool for in the classroom to discuss the importance of the language that we use towards each other. A lovely story to share with children. -- Reading Zone

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'A fresh author / illustrator pairing here from Cicada Books. This is a great story, perfectly concluded by Bartholomew’s Dad calmly helping him to get properly ready for school.' -- It's All About Stories 'With pants and loo roll all over the endpapers, this book is bound to be a winner - and it's possibly the perfect story for parents with children who just cannot get up in time for school.' -- School Reading List Bartholomew struggles to get himself ready as the monsters from last night’s dreams sabotage the most simple of morning routines. A vast purple monster sits on his chest, making it hard to get up. A slug monster slimes his clothes, so he can’t get dressed. Brushing teeth, eating breakfast, and even going to the toilet all present challenges as the monsters mess around at Bartholomew’s expense. Will Bartholomew’s dad ever manage to get him out the door?Hilarious illustrations bring Bartolomew’s frustration and befuddlement alive in this deceptively simple story that anyone who is not a morning person is bound to relate to.

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The quirkiness of the illustrations and the simple narrative will delight readers, young and old, as they see how embracing differences and working together can have positive outcomes. This is a book which will be read again and again and enjoyed by all. - IBBY UK 'This is a stylish picturebook with themes of compromise and friendship. -- Books for Keeps 'From the witty title, to the delightful endpapers, The Pocket Chaotic is a charming story about becoming independent and growing up.' -- Mr. Alex's Bookshelf Alan and Betram are next-door neighbours. They are also best friends. They are also very, very different to one another. Bertram is extremely neat, and Alan is wildly messy. When Bertram gets a cat, called Pierre, he is dismayed to find that Pierre prefers it at Alan’s house. Alan tries to help his friend out – giving him his old sheepskin coat, his chipped bowl and finally, his beat up old sofa. At last, Pierre and Bertram are happy, but Alan is not – he has no company and no sofa. Fortunately, Bertram comes up with a brilliant solution to the problem… The Problem With Pierre plays with the format of the book, splitting each spread down the middle – the page on the left is Bertam’s neat-as-a-pin living room, and the right hand page is Alan’s homely chaos. When, at the end, Bertram knocks through the wall between the two houses, and puts the sofa in the middle, there is a coming together of content and format that is sure to delight readers young and old.

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Winner of the New York Times Top 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2019. A book to promote interest in numbers and wonder at the scale they can represent, with lots to interrogate and talk about. -- School Library Association Potential goldmine of teaching ideas. -- School Reading List Double the numbers to go from 1 to 1,000,000 in 40 pages. A stunning visualization of numbers big and small. We start with a single tree; 1. As we turn the page, we are presented with a sum doubling the number on the page before it: 1+1 = 2; 2+2 = 4; 4+4 = 8. In this way, we reach a million (actually 1,048,576) within 44 pages. Each sum is brought to life with a simple graphic illustration in the distinctive style of Sven Völker. The dots form the back of a ladybird, the bubbles in a cup of soda and the water in a swimming pool. On each page, a single neon dot illustrates what one means in the context of the sum. Gloriously simple in its concept and execution, this is a book that will bring mathematics alive to parents as well as children and will also make a stunning gift book.

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Long-listed for the BookTrust Storytime Prize 2020. A great book to read aloud, children will love joining in with 'Don't hug the pug!' and be highly amused by the rather smelly outcome! -- Book Activist A sweet story with an unexpected twist at the end. -- Parent's In Touch A simple story told in comic-book form about a baby that does a lot of hugging.... with one caveat! Baby likes to cuddle. Grown-Up lets him cuddle the rug, the jug, the bug and the slug. But DON'T HUG THE PUG! Why not? What's wrong with the pug....? A hilarious and deceptively simple story that will have little ones shrieking with laughter. The combination of speech bubbles, rhymes, very short sentences and a stinky twist makes this a perfect book for both the pre-school audience and early readers.

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Louis is a young street magician. He is setting up for his show but he can’t find his rabbit anywhere. He looks inside his hat but finds only a bouquet of flowers, which is caught by a a passing woman as he throws it away in disgust. He looks under his cups, spilling out dozens of balls, which are pounced upon by a group of kids. An endless string of scarves comes out of his sleeve and is wrapped around the neck of a posh lady.... With each trick, his audience grows, and unbeknownst to Louis, his show is unfolding brilliantly... But WHERE could that pesky rabbit be hiding??? Finally, Louis looks in his bag…. climbs in it…. and disappears. Now the rabbit AND Louis are missing! The audience hold their breaths until, POOF! Louis appears on the table in a puff of smoke. They erupt in a roar of applause. Louis, bemused, notices them for the first time. He takes off his cap to take a bow. The rabbit is sitting on his head. This is funny but also empowering story about a child, unaware of his own talents, who creates a diverse community around him, delighting in his show.

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It’s Phil and Dale’s favourite time of the week - the WASH! The two socks impress each other with their acrobatics; flipping, spinning and shrieking, much to the disapproval of the other clothes in the washing machine. But why should they care? They’ve got each other and that’s all that matters... right? When Phil goes missing, Dale is left contemplating life in solitude. After a brief encounter with a red shirt, he finds himself alone in the washing machine, lost and pink. When he is finally reunited with his buddy, Phil fails to recognise him and the socks must decide what being a pair means if one of you has changed. A brilliant message reminding us to celebrate the differences of our friends! This story would be a good tool for in the classroom to discuss the importance of the language that we use towards each other. A lovely story to share with children. -- Reading Zone

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This fact-filled guide for kids 7 to 17 explores the world of architecture as you’ve never seen it before, from tiny shacks to vast palaces – and everything in between! Praise for Atlas of Amazing Architecture ''Given the global spread of coverage and the unusual buildings chosen, this is a must for children’s history, art, and architecture collections''.-- Booklist Starred Review ''A delightful and informative trip around the globe''. -- School Library Journal ''Peter Allen has written and illustrated a book that is stunning. I am sure there will be many, like me, who will revisit it time and time again and still find out something new and interesting''. -- Just Imagine ''A vibrant, wonderful journey across the world and will open the eyes of young readers to the awe-inspiring architecture all around us''. -- The BookActivist ''Both young and older readers will be drawn in, delighting in a wide-ranging exploration of fascinating buildings who are now getting a bit more exposure thanks to this fun and informative book''. -- The AOI ''Bursting with fascinating detail, this book is ideal for any budding young architect''. -- BookTrust ''A wonderful book to generate interest in the built environment''. -- Goodreads This atlas of architectural wonders eschews the classic children’s book fare of the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal, and instead takes a broader view of what constitutes amazing architecture. Buildings include: the Jameh mosque of Isfahan in Iran, Native American plank houses in New Mexico, Stave Churches in Norway, The Djinguereber Mosque in Mali, and extraordinary 18th century wooden churches on Kizhi Island, Russia. Over 50 buildings span all the continents equally throughout history. Each of these buildings is visually striking and architecturally noteworthy; they introduce new engineering technologies or define a movement or capture the essence of a moment in human history. However, despite their significance, they are, for the most part, not part of the main Western architectural canon. This book seeks out a more diverse, inclusive approach to what constitutes amazing architecture, and presents it with fresh illustration and clear, punchy text. Established illustrator Peter Allen, whose work has been published extensively by Usborne and Walker, brings the illustrations alive in his typical playful and dynamic style.

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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.

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