Picture Books to Beat the January Blues
Snuggle up with these cosy stories and chase away the January blues!
From spectacular illustrations to inspirational messages, each book in the list below is certain to lift the spirts and warm your hearts.
Sleepiest Sleep by Barry Timms and Margarita Kukhtina
The dreamiest bedtime story to lull little ones peacefully off to sleep.
Night is falling in the jungle, and little tiger Patterpaw is ready to snooze. Granny and Grandpa Tiger want to help their cub have the sleepiest sleep of all, but they will need the help of their jungle friends when a thunderstorm comes rumbling and crashing through the forest.
With mesmerising, magical illustrations and repeated lullaby refrain, this lyrical rhyming adventure written by award-winning author Barry Timms is the perfect gift, and guaranteed to help children wind down at bedtime!
What We’ll Build by Oliver Jeffers
A spectacular new title from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers, creator of the global phenomenon Here We Are!
What shall we build, you and I?
I’ll build your future and you’ll build mine.
We’ll build a watch to keep our time.
A father and daughter set about laying the foundations for their life together. Using their own special tools, they get to work; building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe and love to keep them warm.
From renowned, internationally bestselling picture-book creator and visual artist, Oliver Jeffers, comes this rare and enduring story about a parent’s boundless love, life’s endless opportunities and all we need to build a together future.
All the Things We Carry by Helen Docherty and Brizida Magro
What can you carry? A pebble? A teddy? A bright red balloon? A painting you made? A hope or a dream? This gorgeous, reassuring picture book celebrates all the precious things we can carry, from toys and treasures to love and hope. Best of all, it shows how we can all care for each other with the love we carry in our hearts. Children will identify with so many of the beautiful, familiar scenes in the book, whether it’s carrying a special pebble on the beach; cuddling their favourite teddy bear . . . or being carried on their dad’s shoulders! The story is written in lyrical rhymes, perfect for reading aloud. The fabulously colourful illustrations are full of fun and warmth.
Superwolf by by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty
Can a wolf really be a superhero? Luna is a little wolf with a big ambition: she’s determined to be a superhero! There’s just one problem. All the other animals are terrified of wolves. Whenever Luna swoops in to help, everyone runs away. Luna’s about to abandon her superhero dreams . . . but then she tries one final super-daring rescue!
- A fabulously exciting rhyming story – great for reading aloud, and perfect for joining in
- Wonderful, colourful illustrations, packed with entertaining details
- An inspiring, witty story about following your dreams
Brave and the Fox by Nicola Davies and Sebastien Braun
Written by award-winning writer Nicola Davies, with artwork by bestselling illustrator Seb Braun.
In the cold and icy white of her homeland, Akiak embarks on a hunting trip – and as day turns to night, she finds herself on an unexpected adventure with danger, discovery and, most of all, magic. A story of bravery, determination and survival against the odds, Brave and the Fox will warm your heart with every read. Also includes: special environmental information in the back of the book.
My Pet Star by Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw
A magical story about the importance of kindness and friendship, perfect for sharing at bedtime.
When a little girl finds a lost star, she takes it home and cares for it, just like a beloved pet. She reads it stories, makes it special snacks and tucks it into bed at night. The more she cares for the star, the brighter it glows. Until, one day, it’s time to let go …
A heartfelt story about caring for others and learning to let go, from BAFTA award-winning writer and CILIP Greenaway-nominated author Corrinne Averiss and beautifully illustrated by award-winning illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw
Winner of the Sainsbury’s Book of the Year Award 2018, Stockport Children’s Book of the Year 2020, and BookTrust’s Pyjamarama campaign pick 2020
You can find all these books and more on the Scholastic shop.
