New Releases by Catherine Rayner

Molly the hare, Olive the owl and Dexter the fox love to watch the sun set in the garden. But as night falls, they notice strange shapes in the shadows and hear strange rustlings in their beloved oak tree. And the more they look and listen, the more they wonder and worry.

"The animals glow in the illustrations, drawing readers into their magical world while reminding them that facing fears with good friends makes everything better." —School Library Journal (starred review) A new bedtime adventure for Molly, Olive, and Dexter—stars of the delightful series for toddlers from Kate Greenaway Medal–winning artist Catherine Rayner Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox love to watch the sun set in the garden. But as night falls, they notice strange shapes in the shadows and hear strange rustlings in their beloved oak tree. What could it be? The more they look and listen, the more they wonder and worry. But is there really anything to worry about? Here is the fourth story about three animal friends that explores big emotional themes with gentle humor and gorgeous artwork perfectly pitched for toddlers!

Dexter the fox is frustrated when his owl and hare friends keep winning their chasing game—until he remembers that he has a special talent, too. Dexter the fox loves to play chase with Molly the hare and Olive the owl. But while Molly keeps bounding away on her great big feet and Olive swoops ahead with just a flap of her wings, Dexter simply can’t keep up, try as he might. What are foxes good at? In the third book of this gently humorous, gorgeously illustrated series exploring young children’s big emotions, award-winning author-illustrator Catherine Rayner brings clever Dexter to the fore as she shows that we all have something important to bring to the game.

Otto The Top Dog is a delightfully funny tale about kindness and sharing from CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner Catherine Rayner, the creator of Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep. This is Otto. Otto loves a lot of things, but nothing more than his beloved basket - and he's more than happy to share! A sweet, humorous and beautifully illustrated tale of a sausage dog who just can't say no. After Otto invites one of his friends to share his comfy basket, word quickly spreads around the neighbourhood. Soon he's sharing his cosy bed with all the dogs in the area, even taking in the local strays! Before he knows it, everyone is having the best sleep in his beloved basket: everyone, but Otto! Will Otto ever get his basket back to himself? And will he still like it if he does . . . Otto is a delightfully funny tale that will entertain young readers, while showing them that while it's fun to share, sometimes too much of a good thing isn't so great either!

"Olive the owl loves guessing games, and her best friends Molly the hare and Dexter the fox decide to play one together. But when it's Olive's go, try as they might, Molly and Dexter can't seem to work out the answer... Whatever is Olive thinking about?! One of three books, each starring a different member of this adorable trio, this story explores big emotional themes with gentle humour - delivering the charm of the 100 Acre Wood in a delightful package for toddlers"--

Kate Greenaway Medal winner Catherine Rayner introduces readers to a trio of animal friends in a warmly humorous story offering reassurance that true friends don't stray far. Meet Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox, three friends who live near the oak tree at the edge of the meadow. Hide-and-seek is Molly's favorite game, but things aren't going her way. For starters, Olive and Dexter don't seem to know the rules. And when Molly shows her friends how to play properly, they hide a little too well. Set in a delicately rendered pastoral world of soft color and shimmering line, here is a picture book that tackles outsize toddler emotions with sensitivity and whimsy. Make way for the singular Molly, Olive, and Dexter--ready or not, here they come!

Traditional Chinese edition of Lion Alo Can't Sleep

Follow Richard the growing goldfish from an indoor tank to an outdoor pond in a story filled with gorgeous multilayered illustrations and sprinkled with fascinating facts. When I was four, I got my first pet: a fish no bigger than my hand, with red and orange scales. My very own goldfish! In his big tank in the kitchen, Richard the goldfish quickly bonds with—and even learns to recognize—his human companion, who tells him all about his day after school. A visiting friend, Sandy, shares some cool fish facts: Did you know that goldfish nap with their eyes open—because they don’t have eyelids? Or that they can let you know they’re hungry by swimming up and blowing bubbles? Sandy has a backyard pond filled with goldfish of all shapes and jewel-like colors, some much bigger (and older) than his friend’s new pet. What might Richard’s own future hold? Drawn in by the expressive illustrations and child-friendly tone, readers will emerge with a new appreciation for the beauty and personality of these classic pets. Kids inspired to care for a goldfish of their own will find a list of things they will need in the back matter.

Mini is small, and Hardly is smaller – and neither of them are happy about it in this gorgeously illustrated, heart-warming picture book about unicorns from Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner. Mini and Hardly are fed up of being small. Being grown-up would be so much better! They could eat what they want, stay up all night, and go on adventures. So . . . why wait? But it’s not long before the two little unicorns find themselves on an adventure a little bigger than they'd bargained for. Perhaps being small isn't so bad – after all, it makes you perfect for the BIGGEST cuddles.

Perfect for bedtime, Arlo The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep is a beautifully illustrated story with a gentle mindfulness message from award-wining author-illustrator Catherine Rayner. Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal, it's especially helpful for little ones who have trouble going to sleep. Arlo the lion is exhausted. He just can't drop off, no matter what he tries. It's either too hot, or too cold; too loud or too quiet. But then he meets Owl. She can sleep through the day, which isn't easy when most other animals are awake! Will Arlo ever get any rest? Perhaps his new friend has some special tricks she can teach him to help him sleep . . .

Poor Solomon is looking for some fun but no one wants to play. The dragonflies tell him to buzz off, the storks get in a flap, and the hippo? Well, the less said about the hippo, the better! But then somebody else starts causing trouble . . . and for once it is NOT Solomon. Could it be the perfect pal for a lonely crocodile? Solomon Crocodile is a snappy, happy, fun story with stunning artwork from the Kate Greenaway award-winning Catherine Rayner.

A beautiful story of a child's journey to independence. Grandpa shows Harris how to hop high into the sky, to climb to the tops of the mountains, and to run very fast. Harris not only learns about the world around him but also the importance of finding his own feet...

Celebrating ten years of this much-loved story, Ernest: 10th Anniversary Edition is a wonderfully imaginative book about a moose with a big problem from the award-winning Catherine Rayner.Ernest is a rather large moose with a rather large problem. He is so big he can't fit inside his book! What is a moose to do? Luckily Ernest is also a very determined moose, and he and his little chipmunk friend aren't going to give up easily. Will they find a way for Ernest to fit in? Featuring a surprise fold-out ending, children will love this brilliantly funny book from the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner, illustrator of The Go-Away Bird by Julia Donaldson. Celebrating ten years of this much-loved story, Ernest: 10th Anniversary Edition is a charming addition to every child's bookshelf.