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Children's reading lists

Books to help grow confident and independent children

An image of a selection of books about friendship on a light purple backgrounf with a Ladybird font patter.

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12 books about friendship for little kids

A selection of children's books that include themes of empathy. They sit on a green background with large spots and an arrow pattern.

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9 books for little kids that help teach empathy

A picture of a several different books that centre around animals on a yellow background with colourful spots

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14 books for kids that love animals

A story about the power of friendship

Flora and Nora Hunt for Treasure

A NEW sea-faring adventure from the award-winning Kim Hillyard! 
 
Flora and Nora are a pair of adventurous sea-faring cats. As they sail off in search of The Secret Treasure, a storm hits, destroying their boat and leaving the best friends separated at sea! 
 
Will Flora and Nora remember the value of their friendship or will they get carried away with the lure of adventure and jewels? 
 
Flora and Nora at Sea is a perfect bedtime read for fans of Rob Biddulph, Rachel Bright and Jim Field. 
 
Also available from Kim Hillyard: 
Mabel and the Mountain: a story about believing in yourself 
Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race: a story about kindness 
Gretel The Wonder Mammoth: a story about overcoming anxiety

Kim Hillyard (Author, Illustrator) Kim is an award-winning author/illustrator of children's picture books. Her debut picture book, Mabel and the Mountain, won the 2020 Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and in 2023 her book Gretel the Wonder Mammoth won the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Prize. 
 
After completing a degree in Drama at the University of Exeter, Kim Hillyard spent nine years working as a music journalist for various publications, including NME, Time Out and the BBC. She has also worked as a drama and arts facilitator, delivering assemblies, storytelling and workshops in schools, bookshops and community spaces on everything from phonics to creative writing.

A NEW sea-faring adventure from the award-winning Kim Hillyard! 
 
Flora and Nora are a pair of adventurous sea-faring cats. As they sail off in search of The Secret Treasure, a storm hits, destroying their boat and leaving the best friends separated at sea! 
 
Will Flora and Nora remember the value of their friendship or will they get carried away with the lure of adventure and jewels?

A story about overcoming anxiety

Gretel the Wonder Mammoth

*** WINNER of the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2023 *** 
 
One peaceful Tuesday morning, a loud CRACK could be heard as the last mammoth on earth broke free from her icy shell - here comes Gretel the Wonder Mammoth! Everyone is so excited to meet her but as she settles into her new life, Gretel starts to feel a little overwhelmed and even a bit lonely... 
 
This positive, encouraging picture book teaches young readers that perhaps the bravest act a person (or mammoth!) can do is ask for help. 
 
Gretel the Wonder Mammoth is a perfect bedtime read for fans of Rob Biddulph, Rachel Bright and Jim Field. 
 
Also available from Kim Hillyard: 
Mabel and the Mountain: a story about believing in yourself 
Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race: a story about kindness

*** WINNER of the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2023 *** 
 
One peaceful Tuesday morning, a loud CRACK could be heard as the last mammoth on earth broke free from her icy shell - here comes Gretel the Wonder Mammoth! Everyone is so excited to meet her but as she settles into her new life, Gretel starts to feel a little overwhelmed and even a bit lonely... 
 
This positive, encouraging picture book teaches young readers that perhaps the bravest act a person (or mammoth!) can do is ask for help.

Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race: a story about kindness

The perfect story to remind children about the importance of kindness. 
 
3, 2, 1, go! 
 
Ned the hamster has been in training for the Great Garden Hamster Race but when race day arrives, the route is cluttered with critters in need of help. Will he realise that a few small acts of kindness are more important than winning at any cost? 
 
This positive picture book from author/illustrator Kim Hillyard will inspire all readers big and small to look up and offer help to those who might need it. 
 
 
Also available from Kim Hillyard: 
Mabel and the Mountain: a story about believing in yourself

Kim is an award-winning author/illustrator of children's picture books. Her debut picture book, Mabel and the Mountain, won the 2020 Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and in 2023 her book Gretel the Wonder Mammoth won the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Prize. 
 
After completing a degree in Drama at the University of Exeter, Kim Hillyard spent nine years working as a music journalist for various publications, including NME, Time Out and the BBC. She has also worked as a drama and arts facilitator, delivering assemblies, storytelling and workshops in schools, bookshops and community spaces on everything from phonics to creative writing.

Ned is set on winning the Great Garden Hamster Race but will he stop along the way to help friends in need...? 
 
An adorable new story from Kim Hillyard, this positive picture book reminds children of the importance of being kind.

a story about believing in yourself

Mabel and the Mountain

***WINNER of the Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards 2020*** 
 
Mabel may be a small fly but she has Big Plans... 
 
1. Climb a mountain 
2. Host a dinner party 
3. Make friends with a shark 
 
Mabel's friends aren't being very helpful, but Mabel knows the truth about Big Plans: 
*Don't listen to those who say you cannot. Listen to those who say you can!* 
 
So, even though a mountain is very, very high and Mabel is very, very small she knows she shouldn't give up. And even though it might have been easier to fly up a tree, Mabel knows that she needs to keep going and climb! 
 
Mabel is the best little fly to show readers big and small that there is nothing more important than the power of confidence, and believing in yourself! 
 
Also available from Kim Hillyard: 
Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race: a story about kindness 
Gretel the Wonder Mammoth: a story about overcoming anxiety 
Flora and Nora Hunt for Treasure: a story about the power of friendship

Kim is an award-winning author/illustrator of children's picture books. Her debut picture book, Mabel and the Mountain, won the 2020 Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and in 2023 her book Gretel the Wonder Mammoth won the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Prize. 
 
After completing a degree in Drama at the University of Exeter, Kim Hillyard spent nine years working as a music journalist for various publications, including NME, Time Out and the BBC. She has also worked as a drama and arts facilitator, delivering assemblies, storytelling and workshops in schools, bookshops and community spaces on everything from phonics to creative writing.

Mabel may be small but she has BIG plans . . . 
 
Introducing the marvellous Mabel - an adventurous fly who dreams of climbing mountains, much to the disbelief of her flying friends. 
 
From exciting new picture-book talent Kim Hillyard, this positive picture book will inspire readers big and small to follow their hearts and face new challenges.

A story about sharing

Bert and the Bubble

A funny, positive picture book about friendship, sharing and really brilliant bubbles from award-winning author/illustrator Kim Hillyard. 
 
One day, Bert the frog finds a beautiful, shiny bubble. It’s a very nice bubble – and all Bert’s friends think so too. Soon everyone wants to have a turn with the precious bubble – but as Bert discovers, sharing can be tricky. Can the friends find a way to enjoy the fun... together? 
 
A positive, heart-warming story about learning to share and finding fun in the world around you.

Kim Hillyard (Author, Illustrator) 
Kim is an award-winning author/illustrator of children's picture books. Her debut picture book, Mabel and the Mountain, won the 2020 Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and in 2023 her book Gretel the Wonder Mammoth won the Best Illustrated Book in the Waterstones Children's Prize. 
 
After completing a degree in Drama at the University of Exeter, Kim Hillyard spent nine years working as a music journalist for various publications, including NME, Time Out and the BBC. She has also worked as a drama and arts facilitator, delivering assemblies, storytelling and workshops in schools, bookshops and community spaces on everything from phonics to creative writing.

One day, Bert the frog finds a beautiful, shiny bubble. It’s a very nice bubble – and all Bert’s friends think so too. Soon everyone wants to have a turn with the precious bubble – but as Bert discovers, sharing can be tricky. Can the friends find a way to enjoy the fun... together? 
 
A positive, heart-warming story about friendship, sharing and finding fun in the world around you

Kim Hillyard

A story about finding your confidence

A NEW picture book from the winner of the Best Illustrated Book, Waterstones Children's Prize 2023. 
 
Frida is a musical moth who loves to rock out &shy;- she puts on her pointy boots and plays her purple guitar really LOUD! But when the Big Bright Light is switched on, more moths appear, ready to rock together, and Frida starts to feel that everyone is much better than her. Perhaps she isn't so rock-and-roll after all . . . 
 
This positive picture book will inspire readers to find what makes them feel good and let their inner confidence shine.

Kim Hillyard

Books by Kim Hillyard

Articles featuring Kim Hillyard

Books to help grow confident and independent children

12 books about friendship for little kids

9 books for little kids that help teach empathy

14 books for kids that love animals

Videos

Kim Hillyard reads from Gretel the Wonder Mammoth

How to draw Gretel the Wonder Mammoth | Kim Hillyard

Three tips on how to draw a woolly mammoth | Kim Hillyard

Three tips on how to write your own story | Kim Hillyard

Why I love Gretel the Wonder Mammoth | Kim Hillyard

Activity sheets

Create a friend for Mabel

Mabel's rainbow

Make your own big plan

Mabel's mountain maze

Mabel and the Mountain postcard

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Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

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