Books in the Child's Play Library series

When Polonius the pit pony escapes from the coal mine he's worked in all his life, he joins a family of Travellers. Although he enjoys the freedom and the fresh air that their lifestyle offers, he wishes he could give something back to the family in return. When the chance arrives for him to do something to help, he rises to the challenge!

When a tiger comes to stay at Valentine's guest house, the human visitors all check out in a rush. Luckily, the hotel soon starts to fill again - but with a very different collection of residents, all with new and differing needs. Elsie and Valentine make lots of changes to accommodate the new guests, and a very popular, accessible and unusual guest house results! A beautiful debut picture book about diversity, inclusivity and empowerment.

More and more children are encountering dementia and its effects on their families. This touching story, told in Oscar's own words, is a positive and practical tale about the experience. The factual page about dementia helps children talk about their feelings and find new ways to enjoy the changing relationship.

King Leonard is so rich that he can buy whatever he wants. Anything old or broken is thrown onto the growing pile of trash outside his castle. But one day something breaks that can't be easily replaced. And what's worse, King Leonard can't find anyone who knows how to fix it.

The Musical Life of Gustav Mole introduces children to the delights of music, instruments and performing groups. Gustav Mole is lucky enough to be born into a musical family, and this charming tale traces the enriching role that music plays in his life.

Twenty-four robbers display their cooking talents in this retelling of the traditional skipping rhyme.

In this new addition to our 'Travellers' Tales' series, Sonny devotes his weekend to helping his neighbours and fellow Travellers with a variety of tasks. He uses many skills, from telling a story at a wedding, to restoring a caravan. In fact, the only thing he doesn't do over the weekend is his homework - his workbook is missing!

When a princess who behaves like a dragon meets a dragon who behaves like a princess, who knows what will happen!

The boy in this debut picture book is fascinated by bees, and is puzzled and saddened when they disappear one rainy day. What can have caused them to leave, and is there anything he can do to get his bumble back?

Harold is an amazing mimic, and can imitate the sound of everything in his home. Tired of repeating the same old noises, he yearns to find out what other voices there are in the big, wide world. But what happens when he suddenly realises that he doesn't yet have a voice of his own?

What better thing to do on a grey day than collect some colours? Cat decides to do just that, but where will she find them? A charming, deceptively simple story about making the most of the world around us, and giving something back in return.

It's time to buy a new pair of shoes. There's footwear for every occasion, but which ones should we buy? Driven by a powerful, rhythmic and rhyming text, this book celebrates the excitement of a shopping trip, and encourages discussion of the many choices available.

This read-aloud storybook celebrates all types of friendship - at home, at school, and at play. Friends who share in the fun of everyday life, and who are there when we need them. With rhyming text, lively illustrations, and an inclusive collection of diverse characters, this book reminds us how important it is to have friends.

Olivia really doesn't like her nickname - mostly because it gets her into some sticky situations! How can she persuade her mum to stop using it? A hilarious look at the affectionate names we give the ones we love, with an interesting angle on identity and self-assurance.

Norman John Gillies was one of the last children ever born on St Kilda, five years before the whole population was evacuated forever. People had lived on these islands for over 4000 years, developing a thriving, tightly-knit society. Why and how did this ancient way of life suddenly cease in 1930?

Piggy lives in a large house with Thomas. Thomas knows exactly what Piggy needs. But a chance meeting with a wild pig changes everything, and Piggy finds out what lies outside the four walls, beyond the fence. A gentle book about freedom and friendship.

A celebration of a child's growing self awareness, and a prime example of how books can contribute to this.

Mr Moon always sleeps. He naps during hide-and-seek, passes out on puzzles and dozes during adventure stories. But what would happen if Mr Moon ever woke up? Would he lead us to hidden, dream-like worlds, filled with fantastic friends and exciting games? And if he did, would we remember in the morning?

This is the story of an acrobat who leaves the circus in search of a new audience. He tries to attract the attention of passers by, but no one is interested. Then something extraordinary happens to change his luck. Written and illustrated by a fresh new talent, this gentle and humorous story will appeal to everyone who loves a clown.

For children who grow up in the care of a parent who has bipolar disorder, life can be filled with anxiety and uncertainty. This story helps us to understand the causes of bipolar disorder and how we can learn to live with someone who has it.

A visit to the local play area becomes an exciting adventure thanks to the transforming powers of a child's imagination. Familiar landscapes turn into exotic and mysterious worlds to discover and explore.

Written and illustrated by a fresh new talent, this is the story of a likeable, well-meaning and irrepressible dog and the mystery surrounding his name. Simple, short and punchy, this is a picture book children (and adults) will want to read again and again.

Cats spend the whole day asleep in a chair. Or do they? This hilarious look at what felines might get up to when we leave the house is full of humorous and wild possibilities. You'll never look at cats in quite the same way again!

Ssh! Listen. What's that noise? What can we hear when we're really, really quiet? A toddler enjoys the range of sounds they hear as their busy day comes to an end, from the bustle and chat of dinner time, to the quiet hush of their father's voice at bedtime.

When a Traveller family experiences a run of bad luck, an imaginative boy called Yokki lifts their spirits with tales of a magical white horse. A traditional Traveller-family folk tale which inspires hope and celebrates creativity. Told by a Romani storyteller together with a picture book author to positively reflect Travelling cultures.

Debut picture book about a rabbit artist who vanishes, but lives on in his work.

A mysterious red boat and George the dog help Posy cope with moving house.

First published in 1984, a picture book in which the Little Mouse will do all he can to save his strawberry from the Big, Hungry Bear, even if it means sharing it with the reader.

Lizzie and Dominic desperately want a kitten but they get much more than they bargain for.

Matthew and Jessica's competitiveness gets them in to trouble when a magic trick goes disasterously wrong. They realise that they can only undo the spell by working together. This fun story teaches the value of co-operation and explores the issue of sibling rivalry.