Recommended reads

Everyone needs somewhere to dream. Rex has gone to stay with his godfather, Sparky... After the death of his dad, a young boy goes to stay with his godfather, where he learns how to cope with his emotions and reconnect with people.

An illustrated retelling of the true life story of a young girl orphaned by war in Sierra Leone who became an international ballet star after being adopted by an American family.

At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America.

Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true.

Hilary McKay's imaginative retellings of key favourites, this ten-story collection includes the much-loved tales of Rapunzel, Cinderella, the Princess and the Pea, Rumpelstiltskin, the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the Swan Brothers, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Red Riding Hood, the Twelve Dancing Princesses and Hansel and Gretel.

The fascinating history of chocolate told for children just beginning to read. Follows the story of the world's most popular treat from its origins in the rainforests of Central America to shops and factories everywhere.

It was Benjamin Postlethwaite's job all his long life to make sure the light shone brightly high up in the lighthouse on Puffin Island. Not once in all his years as the lighthouse keeper had he ever let his light go out. But sometimes even the brightest light on a lighthouse cannot save a ship.

Which bird can fly backwards? How do penguins keep warm? Does an ostrich really bury it's head in the sand? Find out the answers to these questions, and lots more, in this book featuring dancing, hooting, running and pecking birds.

It's been almost a year since Sila's mum travelled halfway around the world to Turkey, hoping to secure the immigration paperwork that would allow her to return to her family in the United States.

Africa's wild animals are awesome! Bold, vibrant photos and engaging text bring readers up close with elephants. Includes information on habitat, behaviour, life cycle, and threats to these amazing creatures.

Erik and Hans admire swallows over the rooftops of Berlin, little thinking that one day they will be flying above England, risking their lives in a war they both detest.

Ruby and Kate, great friends despite their differences, find themselves racing towards a danger that neither of them could possibly have imagined.
Meanwhile Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace - and a brighter future for them all...