Kate Banks crafts compelling narratives for young readers, expertly weaving words and illustrations to conjure immersive worlds. Her stories often explore the liminal spaces between the real and the fantastical, where magical and unexpected events can unfold. Banks enriches children's literature with tales that expand imaginations and offer unique reading experiences. Her approach highlights the power of imagery and the boundless possibilities of storytelling.
The narrative follows woodland creatures as they find a lost doll, weaving a heartwarming tale that explores themes of love and companionship. This picture book resonates with the charm of classics like Corduroy and The Velveteen Rabbit, making it an enchanting read for children and adults alike. Its timeless message emphasizes the importance of connection and caring, appealing to those who cherish stories about friendship and the magic of toys.
In a heartwarming tale of friendship and resilience, forest animals come together to support an injured nightingale throughout the winter. The story is beautifully illustrated and told with lyrical prose, highlighting themes of compassion and teamwork in the face of adversity.
Set against the backdrop of an impending storm, a young urban boy learns the importance of preparation and environmental stewardship. This allegorical tale weaves themes of ecology and responsibility, drawing inspiration from ancient narratives about caring for the earth. Through his journey, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own role in protecting the environment and nurturing the world around them.
Heartbreaking but also filled with wit and hope, The Line Tender is the story of Lucy, the daughter of a marine biologist and a rescue diver, and the summer that changes her life. If she ever wants to lift the cloud of grief over her family and community, she must complete the research her late mother began. She must follow the sharks.
Where the Wild Things Are meets Chicka Chicka Boom Boom in this emotionally satisfying picture book tailor-made for reading aloud, which celebrates creativity and the power of imagination. In a spare, lyrical text, young listeners and readers will follow a little boy through his day, from early morning till bedtime, and watch as what fills his active imagination becomes real. Toys grow to life-size: a tin monkey plays a real drum and fiddle--rat-a-tat, toot!--a stuffed lion roars--rumble, grumble--and a dump truck empties its load--BANG! But when quiet time comes, and a hush settles over his bedroom, animals nap, and the boy becomes absorbed in other activities, like reading and drawing. Here is an irresistible read-aloud by a picture-book master that captures all the joy of a child's play, and renders a boy's imagination real. Praise for And If the Moon Could Talk by Kate Banks: "With quiet phrases and luxurious color, Banks . . . evoke(s) a perfectly peaceful bedtime." --Publishers Weekly Praise for City Cat by Kate Banks: "If you have to pack a suitcase, . . . make room in it for this book." --The New York Times
A boy provides instructions as he searches high and low for an elephant, which the reader can find in the illustrations.
A stranded wolf cub is rescued and raised by a loving polar bear, and years later when he is grown into a wolf and on his own, he comes upon a lost polar bear cub, and the cycle begins again.
The story follows eleven-year-old George and his intuitive dog, Bart, who seems to understand him deeply. When new neighbor Lester, who believes his dog Bill Gates is the smartest, teams up with George for a science project on animal behavior, they draw inspiration from Rupert Sheldrake's renowned studies. Their collaboration leads to engaging experiments that reveal how children can make meaningful scientific discoveries, highlighting the bond between pets and their owners while encouraging curiosity and exploration in young minds.
It's time for bed, and a little boy chooses his favourite book for his mother to read to him. He identifies with the bear in the book who is preparing for his own deep slumber, hibernating through the winter while humans and other animals explore the snowy landscape around him.
When Kate's beloved cat, Oscar, is found with both hind legs severed by a combine-harvester, Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4's The Supervet, agrees to try pioneering surgery to replace his legs with prosthetics. This is the amazing account of a feline destined to become the world's first bionic cat.