The Bumblebear from rising star Nadia Shireen is an absolute joy. Norman is a bear who wants to be a bee in order to have easier access to honey so, obviously, he makes himself a bee costume and enrols in Bee School. The little bees grow to love their unusually large bee friend – until clever Amelia bee discovers the truth. Luckily, Norman can save the day. With its bold illustrations and witty humour, this is a book that adults will relish reading aloud time and time again.

Norman the bear loves honey so much that he disguises himself as a bee. A rip-roaring, irresistible caper.

a hilarious tale of a honey-loving bear who disguises himself as a bee to get easier access to the sweet sticky stuff.

Nadia Shireen has penned a delightful, fast paced narrative with a wonderful character - The Bumblebear is a fabulous picture book!

Norman is a bear that loves honey. A lot. But with the pesky bees always hovering round the stash, he needs a cunning plan. Dressed in disguise, Norman sneaks into Bee School – but will his cover-up be rumbled? And will Norman finally learn to be happy in his own fur? Funny and poignant, Bumblebear has a sweet message about acceptance at its heart. You’ll be reading it on repeat this summer holiday.

offers bold, lively artwork, spirited characters and a playful story

Full of the landscapes one both expects and looks forward to in Russian fairytales, Hortense and the Shadow is both elegant and ominous, poetic and dark, and enchanting.

A beautiful story of identity and self-acceptance... an utterly lovely picture book with an empowering message.

Hortense hates her shadow - crooked, tall and always there - and tries to ditch it in this hauntingly beautifully illustrated fairy tale. But one night, in the dark woods, bandits come a-calling and Hortense realises she needs her shadow after all. Entirely gorgeous.

A delightful picture book... could be read time and time again, becoming a treasured book.

Hortense detests the dark shadow that follows her wherever she goes. Until, on a lone walk one night, she comes upon a group of bandits in the woods and her shadow proves an invaluable ally. Stunning illustrations and sparse text combine to create a fascinating, nuanced tone in this tale that touches on themes of fear, friendship, and self-acceptance.

The lilting text and gorgeous spreads of snowy landscapes in pastel shades, with touches of bolder colours, create a magical atmosphere that is perfect for this carefully crafted fairy tale. The story gently touches on themes of self-perception and facing your fears. This is a stunningly beautiful debut picture book from two sisters who first discovered a love of stories and fables through the tales told to them by their Polish grandmother.

It's a classic in the making, real new talent, original, and set in a perfect fairy tale world. What more could you want from a bedtime story?

Had I owned this book as a little girl, I would have read it over and over, looking for hidden details.