The box includes the following books:
Paperback: Night Lunch
By Eric Fan Illustrated By Dena Seiferling
2022 New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Winner
Teach values of generosity, understanding and community with this calm and scrumptious story about a lunch cart that feeds the wildlife creatures in the local area.
Furry noses sniff the air as mouthwatering smells waft down city streets, luring growling bellies to the Night Owl. Inside this elegant, horse-drawn establishment, a feathery cook works the grill, serving up tasty dishes for shift workers and operagoers alike: a mince pie for Fox, a ham sandwich for Badger and puddings for little Possums.
Mouse, a poor street sweeper, watches as the line of customers swells, ever hopeful that someone will drop a morsel of food – but Owl’s cooking is far too delicious for more than a crumb to be found. As the evening’s service winds down, weary Owl spots trembling Mouse. Has he found his own night lunch, or will he invite this small sweeper inside for a midnight feast for two?
From the imagination of two acclaimed picture book creators, together for the first time, this dreamlike picture book is a magical ode to Victorian lunch wagons. With stark, feathery illustrations and minimal, poetic wording, the visuals are simple yet sweet. Evoking the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the city at night, Night Lunch reveals how empathy and kindness as well as dignity and gratitude can be found – and savoured – in the most unexpected places.
By owlfan
"This book is perfect for owl loving adults as well as for children. The artwork is amazing and the story is quite lovely. I keep it out on a table and enjoy reading it regularly. I purchased the book for myself and as gifts for two friends."
By AetherSails
"This was a lovely story about kindness, gratitude, and empathy. Owl saw that Little Mouse was in need, and did not wait for him to ask for help, but took it upon himself to help him. Owl did not give Little Mouse the crumbs off his table, instead he invited him to have a seat at his table with a night lunch feast for two! And when the feast was done, he shared even more with Little Mouse. The dreamlike illustrations were beautiful and told the story perfectly with the words.
Well done, Eric Fan and Dena Seiferling!"
Paperback: Ava Loves Rescuing Animals
By Jess French Illustrated By Duncan Beedie
Ava Loves Animals tells the fact-filled story of day in the life of a budding young vet who is passionate about animals.
Ava encounters many different animals at her Grandparents' rescue centre – this book is filled with facts about the different animals they are looking after and those she spots outside on her way to the pet shop.
She cuddles some kittens needing new homes, follows some animal footprints in the park and helps a turtle on the beach with the help of her grandma.
Follow Ava as she shares her love of animals – discover amazing animal record breakers, learn how frog spawn grows into a frog and find out what you can learn from looking at an animal's poo!
With an engaging and lively narrative from Jess French and fun, warm illustrations from Duncan Beedie this book will help ignite a love and appreciation for nature, right on our doorsteps.
The Nature Heroes series focuses on a group of friends who are passionate about nature and the great outdoors. Each book features a different child who has a favourite topic that they are fascinated by: Billy Loves Birds, Bella Loves Bugs, Ava Loves Animals and Pedro Loves the Planet!
By Aloha.Tiger
"I read this book to my 2, 3 and 4 year old and all three of them love it. The two older kids learn things as we read the book, while the 2 year old enjoys the pictures mostly. It's a fairly quick read, so sometimes they ask me to read it multiple times, and I haven't gotten sick of it yet so that is a win for me."
By Monchichi322
"This is a great book. The book is about a litlle girl Ava who encounters many different animals (kittens, turtle, and frog) at her grandparents' rescue center. The age range for this book is quite wide. Both my 3 year old and 6 year old love this book because the book is more like a picture book and meanwhile provide plenty of text and information for older kid."
Hardcover: A Home That Means the World
By Victoria Turnbull
Learn the importance of home and welcoming new people into communities with this beautifully illustrated picture book.
Flora slept and woke.
She felt sun
And wind
And every day she searched the horizon for something small
That would grow into a home.
One day, a weaver ant family’s world is turned upside down when their home is destroyed.
With only a few belongings on their backs, they set off in search of a place to live, meeting many creatures on the way. Some are kind, some are not so kind. Some of the places are warm, some are cold. Sometimes the creatures they meet are friendly, sometimes they are not. And some are on similar journeys, moving across the land.
They stay here and there, under and over ground, up high and down low. But none of the places feel quite right. Will the weavers ever find somewhere they can call home again?
This heartwarming read from award-winning illustrator Victoria Turnbull teaches values of inclusivity and community, putting the concepts of displacement and asylum into terms that young children can easily understand. A book that encourages kids to be welcoming and considerate, empowering them to be kind to all.
Praise for Victoria Turnbull’s previous books:
‘Utterly magical storytelling’ —The Bookseller
‘As an artist, Turnbull has two crucial gifts: the power of imagination and the ability to make emotions visible’—Publishers Weekly
‘Incandescent’—Kirkus
By Sarah C Ridgeway
"This is a beautiful story. Flora and her family lose their home, due to the choices of others. So, they must set out to find a new home. Though home may sometimes be held together by mere threads, it means the world to the ones whose home it is. This story appears to be an allegory for those who may face homelessness or emigration to a new home due to forces outside of their power. This story was sweet, at times heartbreaking, and most importantly relatable for those children who may have experienced something like Flora.
I adored this story and it created a great opportunity to discuss heavier things with my daughter in a way she could untamed that can help her to develop empathy for others. The illustrations were dreamy and whimsical. Just a lovely and inspiring story of struggle, family, and resilience."
By Stacy
"A Home That Means The World is a story that way too many children in this world can relate to, unfortunately. This is such a wonderful, beautiful way to tell little ones who are part of families that have been displaced that they're not alone and that kindness still exists.
It's also a great way to encourage empathy in children through the gift of storytelling. The illustrations are stunning, I enjoyed the classic feel of the images. This book is wonderful for children ages 2-5.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book."
