Toys
The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real by Margery Williams & Sarah Massini
We all believe that our childhood toys are real and this is the question that The Velveteen Rabbit struggles with, how can he truly become real? Any child (or adult) with a special toy can relate to this magical story and this beautiful, newly illustrated hardback would make a wonderful Christmas gift. This edition has been illustrated by Sarah Massini…
Alice Hemming recommends I Love You, Blue Kangaroo! by Emma Chichester Clark
The Story: This is the first in a popular series of books about Lily and her beloved Blue Kangaroo. In this tale, Lily is bought a number of new toys by visiting friends and relatives. Blue Kangaroo is gradually pushed further and further to the edge of the bed as Lily delights in her new…
Our favourite Jane Hissey stories
I first read Jane Hissey’s Old Bear Stories to my reception class when I was a newly qualified teacher and I have loved her work ever since. The toys that she creates are beautifully illustrated and the adventures that come from familiar playroom situations are amusing and appealing to young children (and lots of adults…
Jolly Snow by Jane Hissey
I love the way that Jane Hissey’s adorable characters try to help Jolly Tall, the giraffe, understand what snow is. Little Bear, Zebra and Rabbit do their best to help their friend with the support of the two more senior members of the playroom, Old Bear and Bramwell.
Ruby, Blue and Blanket by Jane Hissey
I love Old Bear and his friends so I was very excited to hear that Jane Hissey had written and illustrated Ruby, Blue and Blanket, a new story with new characters.
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown is a favourite story here, my daughter finds Queen Gloriana’s behaviour seemingly un-queenlike! In our house this is a particularly well read bedtime story, one of those that my daughter often chooses when she’s tired and wants to spend time with comforting, familiar characters.
Little Bear’s Trousers by Jane Hissey
Little Bear’s Trousers is one of our favourite picture book. We love the playroom adventures with Old Bear and his friends and there is so much humour in this story as Little Bear tries to find his trousers.
Pip and Posy: The Super Scooter by Axel Scheffler
Pip and Posy: The Super Scooter is a great first storybook for toddlers written and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, well known as the illustrator of The Gruffalo. It has very little text and fabulous, colourful pictures. The familiar subjects of sharing toys, asking before you borrow something and friendship are dealt with in a very…
