Usborne is one of the world’s leading independent book publishers that aims to create brilliant books for children of all ages. Here are some of Minipreneur’s favourites this season.

The Unworry Book by Alice James

This inspiring write-in book is an unworry toolkit, full of things to calm the mind and places to put worries – and we all worry! The book is designed to appeal to a wide range of ages with a range of activities and ideas to suit all sorts of people, including young people.

Activities include creating a worry box, making a mood grid and mindfulness activities such as colouring, doodling and mazes. Written with the help of a psychologist to make the book as useful as possible, there are links to websites for tips, advice and support for young people and the grown-ups of worried children.

If you’re in need of relaxing activities to help you and your children let go of worries and calm busy minds, this is the book for you.

£8.99 published by Usborne

Festivals! by Jane Bingham & Mariona Cabassa

Written by Jane Bingham & vibrantly illustrated by Mariona Cabassa, this is a gloriously colourful look at diverse festivals around the world from well-known celebrations such as Christmas, Hannukah, Eid and Diwali, to more surprising events such as the Woolly Worm Caterpillar Race and the Hungry Ghosts’ Feast. Young children can dip in at any page and feel all the fun of the celebration, while learning about different cultures and traditions. A great way to introduce the topic of diversity to Minipreneurs.

£9.99 published by Usborne

100 Children’s Wordsearches: Sports by Phillip Clarke & Sean Longcroft

Perfect for young sports fans, these 100 sporty wordsearches devised by Phillip Clarke are accompanied by bright, appealing cartoon-style illustrations by sports-loving artist Sean Longcroft. The puzzles cover everything from football and cricket to para sports and martial arts – with over 1,400 sporting words to find. The wordsearches grow gradually more challenging throughout the book, and are perfect for quiet times alone or playing with friends and family. All the answers are at the back of the book and the screen-free fun of the wordsearches will help boost spelling and literacy.

£4.99 published by Usborne

Izzy The Inventor and the Unexpected Unicorn by Zanna Davidson & Elissa Elwick

Izzy the Inventor loves science and does not believe in magic. That is until the day her Fairy Godmother appears and sends her to Fairytale Land to rescue Prince Charming from the Mountain of Doom, with an enthusiastic unicorn as her guide. To succeed, Izzy must use her science skills to outwit trolls, goblins and a bottomless lake of despair. But her quest will also teach her about the power of friendship and that we all need a little magic in our lives.

Science meets magic in this STEM-packed, laugh-out-loud story that will spark a love of science. The chapter book is packed full of illustrations with easy-to-read text and fun experiments to try making it perfect for beginner readers. Part of a new fiction series starring the character Izzy the Inventor.

£5.99 published by Usborne

What Can I Do With A Cardboard Box by James Maclaine, Harriet Noble & Erin Wallace

Kids will discover brilliant new uses for all sorts of cardboard boxes with this inspiring collection of things to make and do from building their own mini village, turning tissue boxes into monsters and rolling up chunky beads from bold and bright packaging to putting bridges and ramps to the test, investigating how they can make an empty box strong enough to sit on and seeing what happens when they roll a marble in the lid of a shoebox with some paint. And if they follow the simple step-by-step instructions, any big cereal box can become an amazing 3D model of the Solar System.

This excellent book encourages imagination, creativity and quiet concentration whilst supporting reuse and recycling at home. Best of all, every project has been devised with safe, child-friendly methods so no craft knives are required.

£7.99 published by Usborne

Peep Inside: How A Crane Works by Lara Bryan & Mike Byrne

This extremely hands-on flap book helps children to find out how cranes work on a busy building site from tall tower cranes, to muddy crawler cranes and nifty truck cranes. The engaging book is perfect for pre-schoolers who love construction vehicles, and want to know all about the most spottable, tallest ones.
Children will be amazed by the giant triple-height crane flap and the other action-packed flaps encourage the development of spatial awareness by getting little fingers to lift, build and assemble building blocks of different shapes to help build a super modern train station.

£8.99 published by Usborne

Here are some of Minipreneur’s favourite inspirational stories written by some amazing people from intrepid explorer Bear Grylls to acclaimed author Amy Sparkes.

Shine Like the Stars by Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

Told from the point of view of the natural world, this exquisitely illustrated and thought-provoking story invites us to connect with the world around us and achieve our potential. We are all connected to the natural world, and it is connected to us. This inspiring book is one of Minipreneur’s favourites and shows children that just as the stars shine brightly in the night sky, so can they.

£12.99 published by Andersen Press

You Vs The World: The Bear Grylls Guide to Never Giving Up by Bear Grylls

This book retells Bear Grylls’ most extreme adventures in a kid-friendly way. He shares the life lessons he’s learned along the way, and how the skills needed to survive in the wild can be used in everyday life. From finding confidence to bouncing back from failure, Bear gives children the tools they need to survive and thrive in their own lives. This book gives Minipreneur the mindset they need to thrive so we highly recommend it for any young person in your life too.

£10.99 published by DK

Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye

Due to be published in June, this is an inspiring book of how two school friends get together to produce a new fanzine full of song lyrics which changes both their lives in unpredictable ways. From one big lightning bolt of an idea that hit Kofi like electricity and a genius money-making scheme to Kelvin’s photographic memory and a school obsessed with music, this story shows children that no matter what has gone wrong in the past, even someone who ends up in detention all the time can turn their life around to become a real leader.

£7.99 published by Faber

Hugg ‘n’ Bugg: The Comb by Ian Brown & Eoin Clarke

This is a heart-warming inspiring story of a pair of Himalayan misfits who team up and find friendship. The unlikely pairing of Hugg, a messy yeti, and Bugg, a flea that feels the cold, shows the wonder of teamwork. Stunning illustrations of the animals and landscapes of the Himalayas by Eoin Clarke brings the story to life. This is a perfect story to start conversations about helping others or to talk to your little ones about creatures that live in colder climates and their adaptations.

£7.99 published by Graffeg

Harriet the Strongest Girl in the World by Ben Lerwill & Beatrice Blue

This is a powerful, joyful, and affirming story about a little girl with a lot of strength trying to find her place in the world. Written by award-winning journalist and acclaimed author Ben Lerwill, the book celebrates physical strength and difference in an exuberant, heartfelt way. This is an empowering read about finding a place where you truly belong that will speak to children of all genders and backgrounds thanks to the humorous text, stunning illustrations and its brilliant cast of larger-than-life characters.

£7.99 published by Puffin

The Repair Shop Stories: The Toy Bus by Amy Sparkes & Katie Hickey

The Repair Shop is one of the most enduringly popular TV series around, exploring the stories of treasured objects and what they mean to the families who own them. This heart-warming and beautifully written book is based on the true story from the show about how a simple toy bus changed a family’s life for ever. Featuring warm and nostalgic illustrations by best-loved illustrator Katie Hickey, the picture book written by acclaimed children’s author Amy Sparkes includes the much-loved repairers Dom, Brenton, Steve and Lucia in a story that will touch the hearts of children and grown-ups of all ages.

£12.99 published by Walker Books

Speak Up! by Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola

Featuring an unforgettable central character, Rocket, who will take children on a journey towards finding confidence in speaking up for what they believe in. This empowering, heartwarming picture book is a love letter to libraries and the power of reading. And it shows the incredible power we all have when we find our voice and speak up about the things that matter. Minipreneur was inspired by the story of Rocket’s peaceful protest against the closure of her local library.

£7.99 published by Puffin Books

Here are some of Minipreneur’s favourite animal-inspired picture books, stories and activities this season.

Skunk! Skedaddle! by Peter Bently & Laurie Stansfield

Discover that skunks don’t always stink, with Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning author Peter Bently and talented illustrator Laurie Stansfield. In his wonderful new book, Bently tells the story of Sally the Skunk who nobody wants to be friends with because they think that skunk’s are smelly. Sally is desperate to show the townspeople that she would never let off a stink around friends. When she bumps into the town robber, it’s time to show everyone how useful her stink can be! This is the perfect book to introduce your child to the concept of prejudice and that they should judge others. The story will also show them that everyone has something to share with the world that makes them special and unique.

£12.99 published by Andersen Press.

Yes You Can, Cow by Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Rikin Parekh

This is a lovely, heart-warming story about believing in yourself and doing your best based on the ever-popular nursery rhyme ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’. It introduces children to the concepts of stage fright and fear of failure showing them that having self-belief and the support of kind friends can help you overcome life’s obstacles.

£12.99 published by Faber & Faber

Calm Down, Zebra by Lou Kuenzler & Julia Woolf

One of Minipreneur’s favourite authors, Lou Kuenzler has teamed up again with the wonderful Julia Woolf who has produced yet more beautiful illustrations for this celebration of colours and patterns featuring the incorrigible yet loveable zebra from the pair’s best-selling book Not Yet, Zebra. Zebra is eager to get in on the act as Annie tries to teach her little brother Joe about colours. But although things don’t turn out quite the way she imagines, together they make the world a brighter and more beautiful place.

£6.99 published by Faber & Faber

Cleo the Completely Fine Camel by Wendy Meddour & Carmen Saldana

Cleo is a “completely fine” camel. Really, everything is just great. Honestly. A sweltering hot day? Well, Cleo has never felt better! Is she thirsty? No really she’s fine. A desert sandstorm? Not a problem, because Cleo is fine (even while buried under two feet of sand). It’s only when an ostrich who tells it like it is turns up that Cleo has the courage to admit that, just maybe, she’s not fine at all. Written by the talented Wendy Meddour with fantastic illustrations by Carmen Saldana, this book is perfect for showing children not to be afraid of sharing how they really feel and speaking their truth regardless of how they might be seen by those around them.

£7.99 published by Oxford University Press

The Selfish Crab by Anya Glazer

Claude has the most beautiful shell of all the crabs on the beach. It makes him feel special and he’s determined never, ever to part with it. Of course, hermit crabs change their shells as they grow-in fact they often swap with each other. But when it’s time to swap, Claude says ‘NO!’. His decision spins the hermit crab community into chaos and it means that little Alphonso’s shell is much too big. At the seaside this is dangerous. Can Claude give up his selfish ways in time to save his friend? The wonderful author-illustrator Anya Glazer teaches children the downside of selfish behaviour in a fun and relatable way.

£7.99 published by Oxford University Press

Look and Find Puzzles: Dogs and Cats by Kirsteen Robson & Gareth Lucas

Children you love dogs and cats will treasure this entertaining book filled with puzzles that will keep them busy all the way to nap time. The pages of this book are packed with dogs and cats to find, match and count and there’s a little white mouse hiding in every picture. Simple text and picture prompts direct specific searches and there are plenty of other delightful details to discover and talk about with their grown-ups.

£4.99 published by Usborne

Walter The Wonder Snail by Neil Clark

Filled with funny scenarios, rich artwork and a stunning colour palette, this book by talented author-illustrator Neil Clark is a lovable read at bedtime or indeed any time! Walter is a brave, curious snail who meets a whole host of heart-warming animal characters who inspire him to continue on a big adventure even though he’s just a tiny creature. The book will encourage young children to think big and not to be afraid of change.

£7.99 published by Happy Yak

Here are some of Minipreneur’s favourite children’s books about the natural world this season.

Meet the Weather by Caryl Hart & Bethan Woollvin

With words by award-winning bestselling author Caryl Hart and bold, striking artwork by stellar illustrator Bethan Woollvin, this book is the perfect first introduction to weather and will be great for getting your little ones interested in the natural world. As the bold, bright follow-up to the acclaimed picture books Meet the Planets and Meet the Oceans, it is packed with gorgeous illustrations of everything from rainy rainforests to snowy mountains and stormy seas. Combining STEM learning with a gorgeous rhyming twist, it’s perfect for all little meteorologists!

£7.99 published by Bloomsbury

RSPB Nature Guide: Seashore by Catherine Brereton & Kate McLelland

Full of charming and life-like illustrations by Kate McLelland, RSPB Nature Guide: Seashore is the perfect contemporary spotter’s guide for young wildlife watchers. Published in collaboration with the RSPB, the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe, this is the fourth book in the RSPB Nature Guide series, following Birds, Wildlife and Minibeasts. The guide book is jam­packed with facts – children will learn that seaweed is used to
make ice cream, and that grey seals can eat 10kg of fish a day (that’s about the weight of two bowling balls!). From bright-beaked puffins and sunbathing seals to slippery seaweed and limpets clinging to rocks, there are over 200 different animals, plants and other wildlife to discover in this spotter’s guide.

£9.99 published by Bloomsbury

Does A Monkey Get Grumpy?: Animals have feelings, just like you! by Moira Butterfield & Adam Ming

This bright, fun, read-aloud non-fiction picture book by talented duo Moira Butterfield and Adam Ming is all about animals and their feelings, written in an engaging way to spark the imagination of curious young readers with a thirst for knowledge. With a different emotion per spread, this funny, moving and adorable picture book explores emotions such as sad, happy, grumpy and kind. Children will love making connections between their own feelings and their favourite animals – including elephants, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, monkeys, deer and much more. With rhythmic text, informative facts and adorable animal characters, this book will help children identify basic feelings, while introducing ideas of empathy and animal welfare.

£7.99 published by Bloomsbury

Pets and Their People: The Ultimate Guide to Caring For Animals – Whether You Have One or Not! by Jess French

This heart-warming guide to the many different types of pet will help kids choose the pet that would choose them. With author and vet Dr Jess French, delve deeper into the world of pets than you ever have before! Children will learn lots about the different animals that we might think of as pets, including their history, behaviour, and body language. Importantly, you will discover practical things to do with pets, such as how to treat them kindly, look after their everyday needs, and give them the best life possible. The best thing is, your child doesn’t even need a pet to enjoy them!

This book provides inspiration for kids who can’t own pets, showing them that we can care for animals in lots of other ways, too – from volunteering at animal shelters to leaving food for them out in the wild. From old favourites such as playful puppies and cuddly cats, to more unusual pets such as lizards and snakes, to bugs and hedgehogs in parks and gardens, there are many fascinating animals to meet.

£12.99 published by DK

Frog’s Bog by Marielle Bayliss & Mariela Malova

With timeless illustrations from Mariela Malova, this is a fantastically written rhyming story by the talented Marielle Bayliss about a Frog who is trying to find somewhere to relax but is struggling to succeed in his endeavours thanks to some inconsiderate animals sharing his world. This books is perfect for educating children about the different creatures that live in waterways and is great at explaining the difference between different bodies of water, including a glossary at the back describing what are rivers, streams, brooks and more. The book is the first in a new series of titles aimed at showing children the benefits of living in a caring, sharing world.

£7.99 published by Graffeg

Wild Family by Ben Lerwill & Harriet Hobday

Families come in all shapes and sizes, from spiders who can carry hundreds of their babies, to elephants who babysit each other’s calves. Perfect for every animal and wildlife fan, discover the incredible true stories of our wilder family members. Did you know that clownfish can have hundreds of babies? Or that some families like to be on the move, like monarch butterflies who will travel together for their entire lives! Meet families of all shapes and sizes, in these incredible true stories about wild families. Written by Ben Lerwill, these fascinating stories are fully illustrated with imaginative, colourful artwork by Harriet Hobday. The book is perfect for dipping into and to treasure all year round. It’s filled with facts that curious young minds will never forget.

£14.99 published by Puffin

The Fossil Hunter by Kate Winter

Curious young readers between 7 to 11 years, will love unearthing the mysteries of ancient fossils and discover the life and legacy of fossil hunter Mary Anning in this beautifully illustrated, fact-filled book. Beautifully illustrated by brand-new talent Kate Winter, with stunning panoramic fold-out pages, this is a book to treasure and to read again and again, perfect for all fans of natural history and curious young explorers.

Mary Anning scoured the cliffs and seashores of Lyme Regis for strange rocks and shells. Monstrous marine reptiles and dinosaurs had once reigned the land and seas here millions of years ago, disappearing only to leave mysterious traces for humans to puzzle over. Mary’s fossils paved the way for modern palaeontology and helped to piece together a picture of how the dinosaurs lived and evolved. Little did she know that 200 years later we would still be talking about her amazing discoveries and how she influenced our understanding of the history of the earth.

£14.99 published by Puffin

Usborne Book and Jigsaw: Wild Animals by Sam Smith & Nikki Dyson

With the inspired pairing of a colourful book and jigsaw set, children will love this package created for one of Minipreneur’s favourite publishers by the talented pairing of Sam Smith and Nikki Dyson.  Kids will have endless fun exploring jungles, deserts, oceans and more to discover all kinds of incredible creatures that share our planet. Packed with Dyson’s appealing illustrations, the book is full of fascinating facts about all the wild animals inside.

£9.99 published by Usborne

Ada and the Galaxies by Alan Lightman, Olga Pastuchiv & Susanna Chapman

In this dazzling picture book written by renowned physicist Alan Lightman collaborating with Olga Pastuchiv, photographs taken from the Hubble telescope are seamlessly layered with charming illustrations by the stellar illustrator Susanna Chapman to beautifully bring to life this enchanting story of a curious child and her caring grandfather, who share a love for our incredible night sky and the mysteries it holds. The book also includes ideas for young readers to launch their own investigations inspired by Ada’s discoveries, making this book ideal for budding young scientists and stargazers.

£7.99 published by Walker Books

Here are some of Minipreneur’s favourite children’s books about learning from learning how to cook to social-emotional learning and reading with confidence.

No Pets Allowed! A Bloomsbury Reader by Chitra Soundar & Fay Austin

The Bloomsbury Readers series includes book-banded stories by award-winning authors and features online guided reading notes by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), ideal for independent reading at Key Stage 2. This new book in the series aimed at children aged 6+ years is a funny, uplifting story about family and the healing power of pets from internationally published author Chitra Soundar whose stories have been published internationally and translated into Chinese, German, French, Japanese and Thai. Minipreneur loves the Bloomsbury Readers series as the brilliant books get kids excited about reading and cover a wide range of genres with something for all tastes and interests.

£6.99 published by Bloomsbury Education

Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure by Sai Pathmanathan & Lucia Vinti

This is a fun interactive cookbook which empowers children to choose and experiment with cooking in an easily accessible way as each simple recipe has only six ingredients. The perfect gift for a budding chef, this is a beautiful hardback that celebrates international recipes and Sai is an expert on making science & cooking interesting for kids. From cupcakes to churros and paratha to pide, kids choose each ingredient in an interactive game and then see which recipes they can create. Perfect for beginner cooks to start their cooking adventure, with a maximum of six key ingredients for each recipe and clear and simple instructions, but also challenges young cooks to experiment with new techniques and ingredients. Includes fun facts for each recipe and lots of top tips. The stylish illustrations from Lucia Vinti make this a perfect gift for children who love to experiment.

£14.99 published by Faber

Oaka Books – Topic Packs

With the loss of classroom time over the past two years, being able to help struggling pupils get back up to speed is essential for their progression. Using Oaka topic packs, pupils will understand and remember topics more quickly, giving them valuable time for catching up on life in general, whilst keeping up academically. Teachers have repeatedly said that using Oaka topic packs has changed the way pupils view their learning. Home educators love these products as they help children re-engage with their learning, creating an effective learning structure that is easy to use.

£7.97 per pack (including booklet, workbook and active-learning game) from www.oakabooks.co.uk

Read With Oxford – Stage 4 – Biff, Chip and Kipper: A Mammoth Task and Other Stories by Roderick Hunt & Alex Brychta

This Read With Oxford Stage 4 collection of four funny stories is ideal for children who are gaining more reading confidence with the ability to read lots of everyday words and sometimes read by themselves. Featuring the much-loved Biff, Chip and Kipper characters created by Roderick Hunt MBE and Alex Brychta MBE, this is one of the exciting range of carefully levelled reading books that will help build your child’s reading confidence.

£10.99 published by Oxford University Press

Read With Oxford – Stage 5 – Biff, Chip and Kipper: Turtle Beach and Other Stories by Roderick Hunt & Alex Brychta

This Read With Oxford Stage 5 collection of four funny stories is ideal for children who are beginning to read independently and enjoy reading a whole story by themselves. Featuring the best-loved chracters Biff, Chip and Kipper co-created by Roderick Hunt MBE and Alex Brychta MBE, this is one of the exciting range of carefully levelled reading books that will help improve your child’s reading skills. It also includes tips for parents and activities to get kids to retell the story in their own words and talk about elements of the story they’ve just read.

£10.99 published by Oxford University Press

Going to the Fair and Other Poems by Sue Gordon & Hâf Gardner

The importance of reading poetry to the development of young children’s literacy and language skills cannot be overstated. Which is why Minipreneur was very pleased to discover this charming collection of playful poems by Sue Gordon which has been beautifully illustrated by Hâf Gardner. We’re certain that the book will amuse, delight and excite children whilst inspiring them to enjoy writing and creating their own illustrated poems with space to do just that at the end of the book.

£3.99 published by Purple Mash Publishing

Step Inside Science: Your Body by Lara Bryan & Teresa Bellon

From one of Minipreneur’s favourite publishers of children’s books for kids of all ages, this informative book will help young readers to discover how the body works and if filled with bright illustrations and clever peep-through details. Children will find out what happens to food after you eat it, discover how and why you breathe, and learn how your growing muscles can lift heavy objects.

£9.99 published by Usborne

First Questions and Answers: How Does My Body Work? by Matthew Oldham & Daniel Taylor

Whether it’s walking, talking, breathing, growing, eating or excreting, the human body has a lot going on.  Filled with big questions children ask (and adults might struggle to answer) about how the body works, this engaging lift-the-flap book covers numerous topics to introduce curious young readers aged 4+ years to the amazing workings of the human body.

£9.99 published by Usborne

Find Your Happy by Emily Coxhead

Full of vibrant illustrations and practical ideas, this is an accessible, friendly and uplifting book of feelings written and illustrated by Emily Coxhead, the much-loved creator of The Happy News which is read by over 20,000 subscribers in 33 different countries, and celebrates all that’s good in the world! Exploring feelings common to all young children, this is an uplifting and practical guide for children, helping them to understand their emotions and empowering them with tools to feel better.

£7.99 published by Walker Books

Here are some of Minipreneur’s favourite bedtime stories. We love reading them at bedtime but they are so good that they can be read at any time of the day!

Oscar’s Story by Margaret Sturton

This heart-warming tale written and beautifully illustrated by Margaret Sturton tells the story of Oscar and his older sister. When she starts reading books with no pictures in them, Oscar worries she’ll never share picture books with him again… Oscar loves story time, but best of all he loves the pictures in his books and the games he plays with his big sister, based on the characters. So when she comes home from school one day with a book that only has words, he doesn’t understand. Why does she like it so much, and how can he ever share it with her? This is the ideal book to read to children at bedtime as the story reinforces the fact that all books are magical with the power of imagination.

£12.99 published by Andersen Press

Squishy McFluff’s Camping Adventure! by Pip Jones and Ella Okstad

The  second Squishy McFluff picture book sees Ava and her invisible cat go camping with things getting interesting when she meets Idris and his puppy Farida who are staying at the same campsite. Pip Jones’s joshing humour and pacy rhyme is full of charm, and beautifully reflects those competitive conversations we all know so well. With a happy ending, and a new friendship gained, this story is sure to win hearts. Minipreneur thinks this is a great story to share with little ones at bedtime but it’s also perfect for any time of the day as it’s sure to inspire camping holidays!

£7.99 published by Faber

I’m Not Scared: A Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Adventure by Britta Teckentrup

Filled with gorgeous, richly textured and softly coloured illustrations, this is a charming and relatable story from award-winning author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup about navigating childhood fears and follows on from the lovely story book Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll. From dark basements to deserted streets, swooping birds to cars’ glaring headlights, menacing foxes to friendly cats, the two creatures spend a day and evening confronting things that are both frightful and harmless. As the two hedgehogs walk through their neighbourhood, they talk casually about their fears and strategies for dealing with them – whistling, holding hands, counting, being still and accepting kindness. Vibrating with warmth and charm, this gentle story offers valuable skills for identifying and dealing with the things that make us scared. This book helped Minipreneur understand that everyone gets scared no matter how big or little you are.

£10.99 published by Prestel

A Treasury of Tales for Five-Year-Olds by Gabby Dawnay & Heidi Griffiths

Snuggle up together with your child at bedtime and enjoy this collection of forty charming and engaging stories written by Gabby Dawnay and selected especially for five-year-olds by literacy experts. This beautiful book contains original and inclusive stories about animals, dragons, nature, vehicles, music and more, as well as reimagined fairytales from around the world. From tales of pirate adventures to heart-warming animal stories, there will be something for every young reader in this rich collection. The stories are arranged in order of increasing complexity so that children can increase their reading confidence as they make their way through the book with their grown-up. This is the perfect present for any children you know who are turning five soon and Heidi Griffiths’ charming and engaging illustrations make this book one children will cherish even as they grow older.

£14.99 published by Frances Lincoln

A Pinch of Love by Barry Timms & Tisha Lee

This is Barry Timms and Tisha Lee’s second book on the subject of love. This story celebrates the love that comes through cooking and sharing food as told from the perspective of a boy and his grandmother. The gentle rhyming verse and beautiful illustrations make this a warm and charming book that’s perfect for bedtime.

£7.99 published by Frances Lincoln

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories by Jarvis

Full of funny mix-ups and comic misunderstandings, as well as genuine warmth and affection, these four stories are the start of an irresistibly charming new chapter book series from award-winning creator Jarvis. Minipreneur thinks these are great bedtime stories to share with kids aged 5+ years with their heart-warming tales about not hurting the feelings of others and the ups and downs of friendship told with witty charm by the talented author-illustrator Jarvis.

£9.99 published by Walker Books

Here are Minipreneur’s top picks of books to get children ready for learning from colouring within the lines to letter and number formation and more.

First Colouring: Autumn

From foxes and hedgehogs to acorns and leaves, little children will love the autumnal illustrations in this first colouring book.

With clear, bold outlines and large areas to colour in, it’s perfect for developing pencil control skills. To get the most out of the book, we photocopied the pages so Minipreneur could colour in the pictures again and again.

£4.99 published by Usborne

My Dinosaur ABC Activity Book by Sophie Foster

This fun and friendly handwriting workbook is complete with letter tracing exercises from A to Z, with space at the back for extra practice. Each letter corresponds with a fun prehistoric scene to colour, which helps young learners to contextualise each letter.

A pronunciation guide is also provided for every dinosaur type, so young dinosaur enthusiasts can boost their knowledge. A gentle introduction to the alphabet, this is the perfect learning tool for kids aged 3 to 5 and Minipreneur got so much out of this preschool writing workbook.

£6.99 published by Buster Books

My Dinosaur 123 Activity Book by Sophie Foster

This fun and friendly handwriting workbook is complete with number tracing exercises from 1 to 20, with space at the back for extra practice. Each number corresponds with a fun prehistoric scene to colour, which helps young learners to contextualise each number. Minipreneur had a roar-some time counting to 20 in this fun, dinosaur-packed activity book.

Count the number of plates on a stegosaurus, the number of eggs in an oviraptor’s nest and much more in this gentle introduction to counting, for kids aged 3-5. A pronunciation guide is also provided for every dinosaur type, so young dinosaur enthusiasts can boost their knowledge.

£6.99 published by Buster Books

Creative Colouring for Kids by Cindy Wilde & Emily Twomey

From pooches and peacocks to ice creams and racing cars, this brilliant book is packed with pictures for creative kids around the age of 5 to colour and make their own keeping little artists busy for hours. Colouring is the perfect rainy day or after-school activity to help kids decompress.

Using this colouring book was a fun way for Minipreneur to practice his creativity and pen control. The pages are single-sided to minimise colour bleed from felt tip pens although our top tip is to photocopy the pages to allow your child to colour each picture again and again using different colours as they wish.

£5.99 published by Buster Books

Amazing Colouring for Kids by Cindy Wilde & Emily Twomey

From dragons and dinosaurs to monkeys and monster trucks, this brilliant book is packed with amazing pictures for 5 year olds to colour and make their own.

These amazing colouring pages are sure to inspire and keep little ones busy. Kids will be kept entertained for hours with amazing illustrations of birds, cars, astronauts, flowers and much more. A great book for kindergarten and primary school children to practice pen control and inspire creativity.

£5.99 published by Buster Books

Colours, Colours Everywhere by Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai

This stunning book about colours is full of breathtaking landscapes, with flaps to lift and holes to peep through. Written by Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and illustrated by Sharon King-Chai, who have previously worked together to create the award-winning Animalphabet and Counting Creatures.

Follow a little girl as she paints her own adventure with her bright blue tree frog companion. With luscious green trees to climb and red hot air balloons to sail away in, Minipreneur loved the rhyming text and vibrant artwork while going through the different colours. This book would make a truly beautiful gift and is an absolute must for the family bookshelf.

£14.99 published by Macmillan

English & Maths Giant Workbook for Ages 5 to 6

This giant workbook is packed with fun activities to help young children practise their English and Maths skills. A group of friendly forest animals gently guide kids through each topic, and tricky concepts are broken into easy-to-follow steps to help build confidence.

The book features six sections: Grammar and Punctuation, Spelling, Comprehension, Adding, Subtracting and Times Tables. With quizzes to track progress and over 120 reward stickers to celebrate achievement, this is a wonderful workbook to use at home to consolidate your child’s learning at school.

£12.99 published by Usborne

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Very First Encyclopedia

This colourful and charming first reference book for children aged 3-7 is organized into chapters by theme, including space, geography, animals and nature, history, science, math and technology, and human body. It’s a must-have early learning encyclopedia for young readers, bringing Eric Carle’s much-loved character The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life like never before.

Curious young learners like Minipreneur can find out all about light and sound, the planets in the Solar System, how plants grow, and much, much more in this one-of-a-kind introduction to key curriculum subjects.

£19.99 published by DK

Here are Minipreneur’s top picks of books that would make the perfect gift for the young people in your life.

The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection

Presented in a slipcase, this ready-made library of 24 beautifully illustrated storybooks is filled with magical tales of princes and princesses, elves and emperors, a puppet and even a dinosaur, the stories offer something for every child aged 3 and up.

Kids will love discovering each classic story behind the 24 windows of this advent calendar and will enjoy sharing the stories with their grown up as the excitement for Christmas builds. Once the big day comes, your little one will have a little library to treasure forever.

£19.99 published by Usborne

The Snowman: The Book of the Classic Film by Raymond Briggs

After the snow settles on a cold winter’s day, a little boy builds a Snowman. Later that night, under the glittering stars, the Snowman comes to life! Together they fly through the night sky on a breathtaking and magical journey, until the sun comes up and it’s time to go home.

This new edition, inspired by the classic tale from the much-loved late Raymond Briggs, features stunningly rendered refreshed artwork based on the 1982 film which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with artwork and text based on the original animation, alongside beautifully written story narration. The Snowman is the perfect festive read for all the family!

£7.99 published by Puffin

We’re Going on a Sleigh Ride by Martha Mumford & Cherie Zamazing

Climb aboard Santa’s sleigh and join the fun as four bunnies set off on a thrilling festive adventure. With ten presents to find hidden under the flaps, it’s an action-packed treasure hunt! You’ll need to watch out for the obstacles along the way – snowy clouds, church spires, flocks of flying geese – and help the sleigh back to the North Pole in time for Christmas!

With pages made of very sturdy paper for little hands, this book is the perfect Christmas gift, full of festive fun and winter magic, from the bestselling author of We’re Going on an Elf Chase.

£12.99 (hardback) published by Bloomsbury

Curtain Up!: Behind the Scenes at the Royal Opera House illustrated by Lauren O’Hara

It’s opening night of The Nutcracker and the performers at the Royal Opera House in London are busy getting ready to step out onto the stage. Meanwhile, Figaro – the opera house’s resident cat – is poised to take readers on a behind-the-scenes tour to meet the many people working to make the night’s performance a resounding success.

Curtain Up! is a magical new book published in collaboration with the Royal Opera House and illustrated by Lauren O’Hara. Featuring examples from key works of opera and ballet, highlights of the tour include trying on the Mad Hatter‘s wig from Alice in Wonderland; practising for a fighting scene from Romeo and Juliet; adding the finishing touches to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu; learning to ‘play dead’; and creating explosions on stage!

Including an introduction to a classical orchestra, key ballet terms and basic stage directions, Curtain Up! will foster a love for the stage in a new generation of readers. Minipreneur enjoyed the behind-the-scenes stories on every page brought to life by Lauren O’Hara’s wonderful illustrations.

£12.99 published by Thames & Hudson

Party Pooper by Huw Lewis Jones & Ben Sanders

It’s Granny Smith’s birthday party and all the apples are invited. There’s face painting, a pinata, a pile of presents and one of Snake’s finest cakes… Bad Apple can’t wait to spoil the fun! But it looks like this party pooper’s luck might have run out. Pineapple has had enough of Apple’s bad behaviour and is ready to teach him a lesson.

We thought this book was hilarious and Minipreneur loved pointing out all the naughty things Bad Apple got up to at Granny’s party in Ben Sander’s deadpan, painterly-style illustrations. The book is the third title in the laugh-out-loud series of picture books written by Huw Lewis Jones.

£11.99 published by Thames & Hudson

The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories illustrated by Sarah McIntyre

Minipreneur loved this stunning collection of brand-new bedtime stories which promote modern-day messages of inclusivity, acceptance and bravery in the face of adversity. The various stories are full of hope and courage whilst brimming with positivity as an antidote to the at times challenging world we live in.

Some of the biggest names in contemporary children’s fiction have contributed to this engrossing collection of terrific tales to curl up with before bed including talented authors such as Aisha Bushby, Ann Jungman, Ayesha Braganza, Claire Barker, Emma Carroll, Hannah Lee, Ingrid Persaud, Kate Saunders, Kieran Larwood, Lou Kuenzler, Lucy Farfort, Martyn Ford, Michael Mann, Natasha Farrant, Pip Jones, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Reba Khatun.

This book, illustrated by the fabulous and bestselling Sarah McIntyre, makes a gift of great beauty to be treasured for years to come.

£20 published by Faber

Jim’s Spectacular Christmas by Emma Thompson & Axel Scheffler

Minipreneur thoroughly enjoyed this new Christmas classic from the magical pairing of Dame Emma Thompson and Axel Scheffler. This is the story of Jim: a very lucky, very special, very grubby dog, who lives, improbably, in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Emma Thompson magically weaves the real-life tale of Jim – beloved dog of Sir Henry Cole who created the first Christmas card – with a fantastically warm and heartfelt Christmas romp, brilliantly illustrated by bestselling illustrator, Axel Scheffler.

A Christmas book to treasure, and an adventure filled with high emotion, guilt, redemption, unexpected presents and a life-changing brush with royalty.

£14.99 published by Puffin

Bluey: Christmas Eve with Verandah Santa

It’s Christmas Eve and Bluey, Bingo and Muffin can’t wait to open their presents. But Bluey’s dad reminds them that no peeking or no presents! So, they decide to play a game called Verandah Santa to practice no peeking. What will Santa bring them?

In this typically adorable addition to the hit series, we join Bluey as she learns the true meaning of being good for Christmas. A great festive read for all Bluey fans.

£5.99 published by Ladybird

Peppa Pig: Peppa and the Christmas Elf

Peppa wants an adventure with a magical Christmas Elf! Will her wish come true? It’s the most magical time of the year, and Peppa has made a wish to have an adventure with an elf from Santa’s workshop! When mysterious things start happening all around her, Peppa thinks it’s the work of a naughty elf! What is really going on?

Peppa Pig fans will love this new story perfectly pitched for storytime during the festive season. Minipreneur wanted to hear it again and again.

£6.99 published by Ladybird

Here are Minipreneur’s top picks of books about animal adventures in heart-warming tales and stories with lessons to learn.

Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll by Britta Teckentrup

Teckentrup’s signature combination of simple text and soothing illustrations in this story about Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog waiting for the world around them to prepare for sleep will appeal to both young readers and their grown-ups.

Minipreneur loves hearing this story at bedtime but this book is also perfect for afternoon naptime or for any time that asks that we take a moment and slow down.

£10.99 published by Prestel

My Dog, Hen by David Mackintosh

“Why should we get a brand-new dog when Hen is as good as new to us?” asks the young boy at the centre of this story. The adorable mixed-breed pup is brought home in a cardboard box, given toys, and some food-and then proceeds to enthusiastically eat up his loving home. When nothing can be done (and all the pocket money has been spent on new toys) the boy’s wise and thrifty grandmother finds a helpful solution.

Young readers like Minipreneur will laugh at Hen’s boundless energy and parents especially will identify with the challenges of training a headstrong dog. The story teaches a gentle lesson about finding value in our less-than-perfect belongings and loved ones.

£11.99 published by Prestel

Mouse & Mole: Clink, Clank, Clunk! by Joyce Dunbar & James Mayhew

Minipreneur is a big fan of the Mouse & Mole series and loved these three new stories highlighting the joys of everyday life written in Joyce Dunbar’s characteristic style full of charm and humour.

With its immersive text and beautiful illustrations, this book is perfect for teaching children the value of friendship and the importance of working together.

£12.99 published by Graffeg

Fletcher and the Stars by Julia Rawlinson & Tiphanie Beeke

This tale of friendship, adventure and overcoming fears encourages children to explore nature and provides an insight into some of the creatures that come out during the evening, including owls, badgers and foxes.

Minipreneur loved the uplifting story about Fletcher helping Badger combat his fear of the dark which also provided the perfect opportunity to have a conversation about fears and ways to overcome them.

£12.99 published by Graffeg

The Roar by Eoin McLaughlin & Polly Dunbar

There were so many things that Tortoise wanted to do. So many games to play and rocks to climb. Oops. Tortoise is stuck. Being stuck makes Tortoise cross. Tortoise is not having a good day and now he’s stuck on his back and is far too cross for hugs or anything else.

This adorable story from the creators of the best-selling Covid classic While We Can’t Hug teaches children that to cheer someone up you must try to understand what they are feeling – an important life lesson that both children and their grown-ups need to be aware of.

£6.99 published by Faber

The Robber Raccoon – Lou Kuenzler & Julia Woolf

Rosie Raccoon is up to no good, out and about in a grand neighbourhood… but she needs to watch out. The police are after her, and it’s not long before she’s feeling the furry arm of the law.

Minipreneur loved this exquisitely illustrated nighttime adventure starring an adorable and mischievous raccoon. Parents will also love the eco-friendly message of this lovely picture book.

£6.99 published by Faber

Agnes and the Sheep Elle Rowley & Clare Therese Gray

This entertaining story for 3-5 year-olds tells the tale of a Great Dane called Agnes, who is left in charge of the farm and has to keep everything in order. But when three troublesome sheep want to escape the farm, can Agnes stop them?

This book teaches an important message about how comparing yourself to others won’t bring happiness. Minipreneur loved the amusing story and the vibrant illustrations of farm animals in this engaging picture book that’s perfect for bedtime or indeed any time!

£6.99 published by DK

Here are Minipreneur’s favourite children’s books about wild animals and the natural world.

Lord of the Forest by Caroline Pitcher & Jackie Morris

Everything in the forest is new and exciting for little Tiger – grass growing long after rain, snakes slithering, Monkey whooping to his tribe. But every time Tiger tells his mother what he hears, she says, “When you don’t hear them, then, my son, be ready. The Lord of the Forest is here!” Tiger is puzzled, and can’t help wondering: who can the Lord of the Forest be?

Children will enjoy this book again and again with Caroline Pitcher’s lyrical storytelling and Jackie Morris’s beautiful watercolours giving a superlative portrayal of the forest and its inhabitants in all their magnificence. Minipreneur loved both the story and vivid illustrations in this deluxe large format animal picture book.

£20 (hardback) published by Graffeg

Pop-Up Forest by Fleur Daugey, Tom Vaillant & Bernard Duisit

This book contains probably everything Minipreneur has ever wanted to know about forests in a fun pop-up format with stylish and whimsical illustrations accompanying a plethora of fun facts about forests all over the world.

Open this book and discover the wonders at the heart of the forest! Find out how trees grow, how long they can live and which creatures call them home. Explore the wonders of the Amazon rainforest and why we need to protect it, discover the amazing network of roots and fungus under the ground, and learn some legends that have surrounded trees for centuries

£19.99 published by Thames & Hudson

Which Bum’s Mum’s? by Jonny Leighton and Mike Byrne

When a young zebra accidentally causes a huge stampede, he finds himself lost and alone. But he knows he’ll find home again if he just looks out for his mum’s distinctive, zig-zag striped bum. Along the way, he’ll encounter big ones, small ones, spotty ones, tall ones, hairy bums, smelly bums, scaly ones and old ones, belonging to huge hippos, very tall giraffes, lazy lions and many more animals besides.

Written by Jonny Leighton and illustrated by Mike Byrne, the dynamic duo behind Does a Bear Poo in the Woods?, this laugh-out-loud storybook is accompanied by very cheeky illustrations to complete the bum-tastic odyssey. Minipreneur loved this hilarious tale.

£6.99 published by Buster Books

Jungle Ultimate Sticker Book

Jam-packed with exciting images and fun facts about the animal kingdom and their jungle habitat, Jungle Ultimate Sticker Book is one that children will pick up time and time again thanks to its more than 250 reusable stickers.

Any kid who, like Minipreneur, loves stickers and animals will love working through this truly ultimate sticker book.

£3.99 published by DK

DK Reader Level 1: Jungle Animals by Camilla Gersh

This book is the perfect introduction to jungle animals for younger children like Minipreneur who are learning to read.

The book contains short, simple sentences with an emphasis on frequently used words. Crisp photographic images with labels provide visual clues to introduce and reinforce vocabulary.

£3.99 published by DK

Usborne Beginners: Giraffes

What sounds do giraffes make? How do they bend down to the ground to drink? How tall is a baby giraffe? This book has all the answers and much more, along with photographs, step-by-step illustrations, simple text and links to websites with video clips and activities.

This book is perfect for children who love learning facts about animals or who, like Minipreneur, are learning about wild animals in school.

£5.99 published by Usborne