Nosy Crow Stories Aloud

This heart-warming and heartfelt debut picture book from multi-award-winning author, Patrice Lawrence, will help ensure that the struggles and achievements of the Windrush generation are never forgotten.One day, Ava is asked to dress as an inspirational figure for assembly at school, but who should she choose? Granny suggests famous familiar figures such as Winifred Atwell, Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks, and tells Ava all about their fascinating histories, but Ava's classmates have got there first – and she must choose someone else. But who?And then Ava finds a mysterious old suitcase – Granny's “grip” – and Granny begins to share her own history, and how she came to England on the Empire Windrush many years ago. She tells her story through the precious items that accompanied her on the original voyage, each one evoking a memory of home, and as Ava listens to how Granny built a life for herself in England, determined to stay against the odds and despite overwhelming homesickness, she realises that there is a hero very close to home that she wants to celebrate more than anyone – her very own brave and beloved granny.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Prepare for a hilarious adventure with the funniest dinosaur you've EVER seen!This book is NOT about a dinosaur! Well, not an any old dinosaur. THIS dinosaur can become the most amazing things – a footballer, pirate, deep-sea diver, knight, magician and even a hairdresser! Having a dinosaur for a friend is one BIG adventure.This fabulously funny story has stacks of appeal for both girls and boys. Look out for spooky houses, prehistoric creatures, silly fish, sparkling teeth and LOTS of fun and friendship.With wonderful wordplay and a sweet relationship at its heart, this is NOT a dinosaur book to be missed!Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

The sun is going down in the jungle. But Tara the tiger cub is wide awake! Who will play with Tara? The beautiful butterflies? Or the hooting owls? Or will Tara's bouncing and pouncing scare them all away?In this delightful interactive book, filled with vibrant neon artwork, children can help Tara along her journey by spotting animals on the page, reminding Tara to tiptoe and warning her about the snappy crocodile. Then, when it's time for Tara to settle down in bed with her mummy, they can wave goodbye and whisper “night, night”.The perfect bedtime story for any lively child who needs a bit of help settling down at bedtime!Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

You know how to count, right? GREAT! There are LOADS of fun things to count in this book. Whales, baboons, rainbows, pyramids . . . There's just rule. You must ONLY ever count to ONE. So don't even about THINK bigger numbers. OK?!Get ready to show off your skills in this fun new counting book! But all is not as it seems . . . is this book really only about counting to ‘ONE'? Because there are SO MANY fun things that you could count. But – wait – maybe there's a way to outsmart the book . . . and count all the way up to 100!Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Building a Home is a beautifully illustrated picture book guide to exactly how an old building can become a brand-new home.With action-packed artwork from Klas Fahlen and a gentle narrative text by Polly Faber, find out all about the people, machines, processes and tools involved in breathing new life into an old building. Packed with builders, cranes, diggers, cement mixers and a host of other exciting tools and machinery, follow a crumbling old factory on the edge of town as it goes from being an empty shell to something entirely new . . . a home.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When a little girl's grandad shows her a picture of what the great, grey mountain used to look like, she can't wait to plant a new forest and for the animals to return. Although the girl soon realises growing trees isn't easy, she doesn't give up. After many weeks, a little patch of green appears on the mountain and gives the whole village hope. Then, one day, a terrible storm comes tearing up the valley, destroying every single one of the girl's saplings. Has all her hard work been for nothing? Or has it inspired those around her to share her dream?In this lyrical and hopeful picture book, one girl's imagination, determination and positivity motivates a whole community to work together to create something amazing that will last forever. With subtle addresses to the reader, children and grown-ups will feel empowered to tackle global issues such as deforestation and realise that, in the words of Greta Thunberg, ‘No one is too small to make a difference'.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

There are babies everywhere! Some babies can fly and some babies can swim. Most animal babies are very different to us, but there are lots of special ways that we might be the same. Especially when we were very little...With a friendly text that's perfect for reading aloud, this book encourages children to think about what makes them unique while learning about amazing similarities they might share with babies in the animal kingdom. From giraffes wobbling as they walk to puppies losing their baby teeth, each spread is fully illustrated with heart-warming collage artwork that beautifully captures the love between parent and child.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Yo-Yo is a fidgety, bouncy, can't-sit-still-EVER type of bunny. Even Grandpa's yoga class won't stop her wiggling and giggling! But what will Yo-Yo do when she finds herself lost and all alone in the deep, dark, shadowy forest? Maybe Grandpa's yoga will help her find the way home . . .With a reassuring bedtime ending and three pages of simple step-by-step yoga instructions, children can stretch, breathe and feel calm with Yo-Yo.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Frank and Bert are the best of friends and they LOVE to play hide and seek. But Bert the bear isn't quite as good at hiding as he thinks he is . . . and Frank ALWAYS wins! Every. Single. Time.But when it's Bert's turn to hide, and Frank has to decide between winning again OR making his friend happy, Frank learns that friendship is always the true winner.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

It's finally the day of Rabbit's pancake picnic! She's going to make the pancakes all by herself . . . but she can't find her recipe book. Bother!Rabbit decides to try to remember the recipe and adds syrup, strawberries, apples, and lots of other ingredients to the mixture. Her friends try to help, but Rabbit is desperate to make the pancakes on her own. Even when the mixture turns lumpy, sticky and looks, well . . . strange. Is Rabbit's pancake picnic ruined? Perhaps she just needs to accept some help from her kind friends!Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Just like every preschooler, Ruffles the puppy experiences all the ups and downs of daily life as he learns about the world around him. There are LOTS of things he likes and LOTS of things he doesn't . . . and he doesn't always get things quite right!The Teeny Tiny Kittens have come to stay and Ruffles is NOT happy. They pounce and purr and snore and jump and POOP! Worst of all, they want to play with Big Blue Blankie, and Ruffles doesn't want to share. But the Teeny Tiny Kittens don't understand and there's trouble when Big Blue Blankie is accidentally ripped. Luckily, Ruffles' new feline friends show him that sharing together is the very best way to make friends and play.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Three children are off on a hunt for the perfect Christmas present! But first they've got to get through the spiky Christmas trees, a herd of hungry reindeer, some noisy carol singers and a very busy toyshop! But there are SO MANY toys... will they ever find the perfect present?This joyful follow-up to We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt has zingy neon ink on the cover and throughout, and is filled with cute characters and Christmas surprises! Repeated phrases and sound words make this an interactive picture book, great for sharing with the whole family at Christmas.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Shifty and Sam are off to Lapland to bake a festive feast for Santa and his elves. But there's a Christmas crisis – the elves are unwell and can't finish the toys! Does mysterious stranger and gadget queen, Flo Frost, really want to help? Or could she have her eyes on the most magical gadget of all... Santa's flying sleigh?! It's up to Shifty and Sam to race across the snowy slopes and save Christmas for everyone!Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

The sky is getting dark. In a big city, a little girl is eating her dinner, brushing her teeth and getting ready for bed. Meanwhile, her mother is putting on her coat and getting ready to go to work. But where will she go, and who will she see along the way?As the night goes on, follow nurses, cleaners, delivery workers, doctors, police officers, journalists and many more. Meet the people doing the important jobs that help keep the city running all through the night, ready for the next day to come.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

A little fawn wakes up to discover that the world outside has changed after a fall of snow. As he takes his first faltering steps into this exciting snow-white world, he finds there's so much to explore. But then it's time to return to the warmth of home, where his mummy and daddy are waiting for him.Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

The tables have turned in this fantastically funny rhyming picture book. This time, it’s Bear who has an unwelcome guest, and that cheeky mouse just won’t leave. He’s making a real commotion in Bear’s house – eating all the food, listening to loud music and even spilling bathwater all over the floor! But when there’s an unexpected knock at the door, Bear decides that perhaps mice are actually rather nice!Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Ruff! Ruff! Hello, Ruffles! Ruffles is a typical toddler who experiences all the highs and lows of preschool life as he learns about the world around him. There are lots of things he likes . . . and lots of things he doesn’t! He LOVES scratching, digging and chewing but he does NOT like wearing his coat on rainy days. No, no, no, no, NO! But when Ruffles wants to splash in puddles with his best friend, Ruby, he soon learns that some things are definitely worth wearing your coat for! Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When Dad says that he’s moving out, Lily-May feels all upside-down inside. But now Dad comes on Sundays, and they ride their bikes really fast and make secret dens together. Lily-May plays more just with Mum now, too – and when Mum’s new partner Peter comes over, they play pirate ships! Sometimes, there are tricky moments – Lily-May hates it when Mum has to work late – but a birthday party with Lily-May’s big fantastic family helps her realise just how many people love her. This reassuring celebration of non-nuclear families will help children to understand that they will always be loved, even if parents separate or divorce. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Cat is sitting on his favourite mat, when who should come along but Rat with a very nice hat? Cat wants Rat’s hat and will stop at NOTHING to get it. But when Bat arrives wearing a fancy cravat, well, what could be better than that? Chaos ensues as both Cat and Rat decide they MUST have Bat’s fancy cravat for themselves! Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When a young child forges a special connection with a seal on a trip to the seaside, their imagination takes them on an unforgettable journey. Through their eyes, we have a chance to explore everything the amazing beach and wide, wide sea has to offer . . . until suddenly a violent storm blows in. The next morning the beach is ugly . . . and covered in litter. Whose fault is it? And who can fix it? Together, the child, their grandmother, and the rest of the community clean the beach, and the child makes a promise to the seal that things will change for the better. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Set off on an adventure to find treasure, from swirly sea shells to mysterious mermaid’s purses, then learn more about each object with richly-illustrated and informative nature notes. Packed full of fascinating facts alongside a gentle rhyming narrative and encouraging children to get outside and explore their surroundings, this is a nature treasure hunt series for the whole family to enjoy. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Charlie does NOT like to choose. He can’t make up his mind between chocolate or vanilla ice cream, stripy or spotty underpants . . . or whether he wants the lights on or off at bedtime. It’s much too hard! The trickiest thing of all to choose is a birthday present – how will he ever make up his mind? But when a new friend with a waggy tail chooses HIM, making choices gets a little easier. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When a new baby comes home with Mummy and Daddy one day, will a dragon share her squishiest toy, fetch the changing mat and help to tidy the house while Mummy has a nap? Or will she refuse to say hello, and bash and crash her toys at bedtime? It’s going to be hard to behave herself . . . she is a DRAGON after all! Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

This book is NOT about a unicorn! Well . . . OK, maybe it is! But THIS unicorn has a horn that can turn into the most incredible things – a magic wand, a helicopter, even a space rocket! Join the hilarious adventure and prepare to be amazed by your brilliant new friend. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Set off on an outdoor adventure to find natural treasure, from prickly pine cones to swirly snail’s shells, then learn more about the found object with irresistibly illustrated and informative nature notes. Packed full of fascinating facts alongside a gentle rhyming narrative and encouraging children to get outside and explore their surroundings, this is a nature treasure hunt series for the whole family to treasure! Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Beatrix loves the countryside, but lives in a big, lonely house in London – if only she had a friend. Then she meets Benjamin Bunny and everything changes! They spend every day together playing chase and follow my leader. But when Benjamin dies, Beatrix is heartbroken. She decides to write about Benjamin’s adventures and about her new bunny, Peter, who plays the tambourine and jumps through hoops. If she can publish her stories, she knows children will fall in love with Benjamin and Peter, and her bunnies will live forever. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Beetle and Caterpillar are best friends. Every day, they sit together on a big rock, sharing a picnic and looking out over the forest. But one day, Caterpillar goes missing and, try as he might, Beetle cannot find her. Just as he is about to give up hope, a very friendly (and rather familiar) butterfly appears out of nowhere. Can it be his friend? She might look different but she is still just the same and they are together again, at last. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

How many people does it take to build a castle? And what exactly does each person do? Discover masons to merchants and bakers to blacksmiths in this unique take on the classic rhyme ‘This is the House that Jack Built’. Explore what happens inside the castle the king built with striking retro artwork from illustrator Tom Froese and a carefully researched rollicking rhyme from author Rebecca Colby. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Mouse is very excited for Christmas, but first she needs to find a home to spend it in! On her way through Treetop Forest, she meets Fox, Bunny and Bear, all in need of a little help – which she gladly offers – but as the sun sets, it looks like she won’t have anywhere cosy to spend Christmas. Luckily, her new friends are about to reward her generosity with a very big surprise... Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

The intrepid team of dinosaurs are back and this time they must save Santa Claus from a snowstorm! Join them as they plough the road, whizz down a mountain on snowmobiles, zoom through the icy water on a hovercraft, dig out Santa’s sleigh with a digger and lower down the presents with a helicopter. And when the dinosaurs finish saving Santa and his reindeer, it’s time to make snowmen, play games and open presents! Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Three children are hunting for the perfect pumpkin to take trick or treating. But first, they’ve got to get through the sticky spiders’ webs, the flapping bats, and then – worst of all – enter a spooky HAUNTED HOUSE! Will they find a great big pumpkin there . . . or the biggest surprise of the night? Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Wanda the witch is so shy she can’t talk! No matter how hard she tries, the words won’t come out. But when another nervous little witch called Flo joins her class, it seems that Wanda’s not the only one who worries about speaking. Then disaster strikes at the magic contest . . . will Wanda have the courage to shout out the magic words and save her new friend Flo from a dangerous dragon? Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Jeremy is a worrier. He worries about odd socks, spotty bananas, evil squirrels, burnt toast, dinosaurs and, most of all . . . the wind! His friend Maggie isn’t worried about anything – after all, what’s the worst that could happen? But when Maggie decides to go outside and play in the wind, Jeremy must act fast to keep her out of danger, and he is soon to discover that a bit of courage leads to the most exciting adventures. Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

It’s Superhero Day at school, and Super Milly can’t wait to wow everyone with her costume and amazing powers! The only problem is she can’t actually fly, climb buildings or do force fields. But when Superhero Day doesn’t go to plan, Milly realises she only needs her super-kindness to save the day! Find out more about Stories Aloud: https://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Uh-oh! An excitable (but very loveable) dog has found his way into this First Animals book and he will NOT let any of the other animals take their turn. Dogs are far more important, after all! And when the other animals get angry, this dog comes up with a very cunning plan to outwit them . . . Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When a dragon goes to school, will she enjoy a book in the reading den and save her lunchtime treats for a friend? Or will she throw the crayons and refuse to share? She’s going to need her friends to help her behave herself . . . she is DRAGON after all! Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When a giant octopus arrives, the children LOVE their new friend; he makes the perfect slide and is fantastic at football! But some of the grown-ups aren’t so pleased. Will they drive him away . . . or will they realise just how helpful an octopus can be? Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Princess Jasmine is not like her stepsisters. She hates long dresses and sitting still and would much rather take part in the big cross-country race. So, when a fairy godmother appears with a new pair of speedy magic trainers, well, it looks like her dream has come true! That is, until she loses one of her trainers . . . how will she even finish the race? But when she goes on to WIN, was it the magic trainers or was it Jasmine’s determination and belief in herself? Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Fluffykins is a lovely cat. He wouldn’t do anything naughty . . . would he? But what’s this? He’s knocked over the flowers, tangled up all the knitting, bent the blinds, trodden on the laptop AND scratched the sofa . . . and he won’t say sorry. What a bad cat! Whatever will Fluffykins do next? This witty and perfectly-paced story by award-winning author-illustrator Nicola O’Byrne revels in all the mayhem of living with a feline friend. Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Mr Brown is a Very Important Tiger who works in a Very Important Office. He carries a Very Important Briefcase and does Very Important Things all day long. But when his Very Important Briefcase goes missing, Mr Brown’s world is turned upside down. He goes on a VERY wild chase all over town, but will he ever get his briefcase back? And what about the Very Important Things inside? Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Tom has a VERY important job; every day he climbs to the top of the hill and watches for pirate ships. But when he rings his bell and shouts “PIRATES!” a few too many times – and there’s NO pirate ship – the villagers begin to get tired of hiding. So what will happen when the pirates really do show up? Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Felix is lost. The jungle can be a scary place for a tiny tree frog, and all the strange noises are making him just a little bit jumpy . . . It’s time to find Felix a safe place to sleep . . . and might there be someone special to snuggle him down for the night? Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

All grandmothers are wonderful and the gran in this story is no exception. She might not lift buildings or go whooshing through the sky, but she can plan super sleepovers, tell super-funny stories and even put together super disguises. This gran really does have super powers! Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is fast asleep . . . except for a lonely mouse who lives in the grandfather clock. So when Santa arrives, lost in a blizzard, Mouse is the only one who can show him the way. Together they embark on a magical sleigh ride, delivering presents all around town. But the best present of all is for Mouse . . . a special friend to share Christmas Day with. Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

One snowy Christmas eve, the king buys some soft red cloth to make a cloak for the princess – little does he know that the left-over cloth will be used to make presents for many more of the kingdom’s inhabitants, right down to the last teeny bit of cloth made into a scarf, which is just right for the smallest mouse to protect him from the winter chill. Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

When Nelly asks Bear what kind of bear he is, he isn’t entirely sure how to answer. So off he goes to find out . . . But none of the different bears he meets on his travels are like him. Grizzly bears don’t have funny stitches; polar bears don’t have washing labels attached to their bottoms; spectacled bears are simply not as soft and bouncy as him; and sunbears never wear smart bow-ties. So, disheartened, he returns to Nelly . . . only to discover EXACTLY what kind of bear he is after all – her own special bear! Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

One frosty evening, a week before Christmas, Little Robin washes and irons seven warm vests for the chilly nights to come. As the days go by, he comes across lots of shivering animals and kindly offers them his vests to wear. But – oh no! – on Christmas Eve, Little Robin is cold and alone with no vests left! That is, until a special someone arrives to reward his kindness . . . Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

It’s Christmas time and Pip and Posy are busy decorating the tree with candy sticks, and biscuits, and a beautiful sugar star. But the strange thing is that, every time Posy goes out of the room, when she returns, there’s one less decoration on the tree. Eventually, there are NO decorations left AT ALL . . . oh, dear! All young readers will enjoy the moment when Posy finds Pip lying on the sofa, feeling sick, but will they guess how she decides to tackle Pip? A charming and funny new Pip and Posy story about the problems caused by telling fibs, with gentle lessons about being kind and tooth-brushing! Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

What will you dream of tonight? Will it be a midnight balloon ride, sailing on the tail of a whale or swinging through the leaves on a jungle trapeze? This dreamy, sumptuously illustrated tale travels through deserts and waterfalls to shipwrecks and dragon-filled skies as a parent wonders where their child’s dreams will take them as they drift off to sleep . . . Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

Rabbit doesn’t want to go to bed, so he decides to kidnap The Dark and trap it in a biscuit tin so he can stay up all night long. But The Dark reminds Rabbit of all the good things that he does. “What about all the nocturnal animals,” he asks . . . “and surely you can’t have a yummy breakfast of toast and honey and fresh orange juice unless you’ve been to bed?” But the BEST thing about The Dark, of course, is reading a really good bedtime story . . . Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/

It’s another ordinary day in Food Town and Alison McNutty, peanut butter sandwich and rookie reporter, desperately needs a big break. So, when news comes in of a monster doughnut on the rampage, she’s straight on the case – she knew there was something dodgy about the superfoods down at Lemon Labs! And boy, is that doughnut hungry! It’s EATING everything in sight and not even the police, the fire chiefs OR the military can bring it down. Whatever will President Bacon do? Luckily, Alison has a cunning plan. All they need is a plucky hero who will sacrifice themselves for the good of all food kind . . . ! Find out about Stories Aloud: http://nosycrow.com/stories-aloud/