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Children's reading lists

Best children’s books that celebrate difference

The Elephant and the Sea

From the award-winning author-illustrator Ed Vere comes a lyrical tale that reminds us all to chase our dreams. 
 
Meet Gabriel. A young elephant who lives in a village by the sea. 
 
He has one dream and it&rsquo;s to join the lifeboat crew. He wants to help people in the water, bravely sailing out to sea! But elephants don&rsquo;t fit in lifeboats. He&rsquo;s too big to help the sailors. But one STORMY, WINDY day, the lifeboat crew run into trouble and Gabriel might be the only one who can help. Can Gabriel save the day? 
 
One growing elephant. One smallish lifeboat. One BIG dream . . . 
 
&quot;A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one&rsquo;s dreams come true.&quot; - Kirkus Reviews

By turns thrilling and warmly reassuring, this story demonstrates that resolve&mdash;and inclusion&mdash;wins out; readers will cheer for Gabriel all the way... Vere brings the Cornish setting to life beautifully. Gabriel cuts an endearing figure in the lively illustrations, rendered in a limited palette of soft oranges, grays, and blues. A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one&rsquo;s dreams come true.

This affectionately swashbuckling work ... is not a tale of injustice redressed: Gabriel is so gentle, and the lifeboat crew so grateful, that only joy lingers as the elephant finds a way to do what he loves, and comes away with marvelous stories to tell.

Vere&rsquo;s crisp text adeptly relies on repetition and sporadic punctuated rhythm to add intrigue to a tried-and-true narrative structure... Gabriel&rsquo;s bright eyes, blue and yellow sailor&rsquo;s costume, and feline companion make for a unique and endearing protagonist. This is an excellent addition to any maritime-themed storytime, with room for deeper exploration of the themes of vocation and heroism&mdash;or simply use this as a lead-in to a chorus of kid-friendly sea shanties.

The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

The atmospheric illustrations have layers and textures, creating a realistic backdrop juxtaposed with animal characters.

Ed Vere is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books, including How To Be a Lion - winner of Oscar's Book Prize - and Max the Brave which was named one of The Sunday Times's '100 Modern Children's Classics'. 
He studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. Ed has worked with CLPE to co-create the Power of Pictures scheme which encourages visual literacy in primary school education and has received major funding from the Arts Council. He is also a painter, working from his studio in east London.

The Artist

From the award-winning Ed Vere comes a joyful and inspirational celebration of beauty, mistakes and the artist in all of us 
 
‘The Artist's optimistic ending, in particular, makes it perfect for bedtime reading and bedtime dreaming for little artists. It’s a useful reminder for grown-up artists too.’ - Art Quarterly 
 
One brave little artist goes on one epic adventure to share her art, and in doing so learns that it doesn't matter if you colour outside the lines, that art is full of heart... and that maybe you are an artist too! 
 
What is an artist? 
 
Someone who sees beauty... Someone with a mind full of colours, feelings, and ideas... Someone who plays and dreams and makes... 
 
Praise for How to be a Lion - winner of the Oscar's Book Prize 
"This witty, resonant picture book is a manual for anyone's life, young or old." Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week 
 
"Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvellous book triumphs in that essential job." Kirkus

Writer-illustrator Ed Vere returns with another beautifully illustrated children's book, celebrating what it means to be an artist ... an uplifting story for any child who loves to draw.

Colorful, boldly imaginative, dynamic, quirky, and wonderfully child-appealing illustrations. . . . This book proclaims what children already know: Creativity and making art spark joy

The overriding messages of The Artist are deployed with gentleness, simplicity and clarity: the need for artists and for art-making, alongside the need for self-belief and tenacity. The book’s optimistic ending, in particular, makes it perfect for bedtime reading and bedtime dreaming for little artists. It’s a useful reminder for grown-up artists too.

A little artist decides to inject color into her drab gray city. As she boldly paints the town red (and yellow and blue) she brings beauty and life to all who live there. This vivacious storybook is perfect for young children, graduates or anyone setting on their own path and in need of a little bravery or inspiration.

New York Post - The Best Books to Buy for Christmas

Realizing that making mistakes is part of the process could be a game-changer for the many kids who can't conquer their discouragement when their art falls short of their expectations

Even if readers don't need encouragement to unleash their own talents, they should be intrigued by this protagonist's arc toward artistic assurance

This book is perfect to read with children who have started drawing but sometimes feel disheartened when their drawing doesn't turn out exactly as they see it in their heads ... a stunningly beautiful book with a message for young and old - and it makes readers look anew and refreshed at the world. Ed Vere is one of the most talented children's books creators of our time and takes the care to make every word and every mark mean something, in or out of the lines

Ed Vere (Author, Illustrator) 
Ed Vere is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books, including How To Be a Lion - winner of Oscar's Book Prize - and Max the Brave which was named one of The Sunday Times's '100 Modern Children's Classics'. 
He studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. Ed has worked with CLPE to co-create the Power of Pictures scheme which encourages visual literacy in primary school education and has received major funding from the Arts Council. He is also a painter, working from his studio in east London.

Mr Big

Bright, bold and big-hearted, the latest picture book from dazzling talent Ed Vere.

Mr Big is strong, Mr Big is tough, Mr Big is . . . well . . . BIG! 
 
He has just one small problem - because of the way he looks he just can't get people to stick around. 
 
How can he show them that although he may look a little scary, he is just a great big softy inside? 
 
With his trademark bold colour and masterful graphic simplicity, Ed Vere sensitively and humorously tackles the universal and current subject of inclusion, reminding the reader that to get to know someone you need to look beyond their exterior.

Vere is as clever and entertaining as any writer-illustrator in the game

Ed Vere (Author, Illustrator) Ed Vere is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books, including How To Be a Lion - winner of Oscar's Book Prize - and Max the Brave which was named one of The Sunday Times's '100 Modern Children's Classics'. 
He studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. Ed has worked with CLPE to co-create the Power of Pictures scheme which encourages visual literacy in primary school education and has received major funding from the Arts Council. He is also a painter, working from his studio in east London.

Mr Big is strong, Mr Big is tough, Mr Big is . . . well . . . BIG! He has just one small problem - because of the way he looks he just can't get people to stick around. How can he show them that although he may look a little scary, he is just a great big softy inside? With his trademark bold colour and masterful graphic simplicity, Ed Vere sensitively and humorously tackles the universal and current subject of inclusion, reminding the reader that to get to know someone you need to look beyond their exterior.

How to be a Lion

You don't have to ROAR to be heard... 
 
Meet Leonard - a lion like no other. 
 
Leonard's best friend is Marianne, a duck. But lions chomp ducks, don't they? 
 
What will the pair do when their way of life is threatened? 
 
From the New York Times-bestselling author of Max the Brave comes a powerful story celebrating daydreamers, individuality and the quiet courage to be yourself. 
 
"Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvelous book triumphs in that essential job." Kirkus 
 
"Children will feel empowered after reading such a deliberate story of unyielding strength and self-awareness. Thoughtful and provocative words to live by." School Library Journal 
 
"gently reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh" BookTrust 
 
"Framed by a glowing palette of burnt yellows and oranges, and infused with humour and warmth, this thought provoking fable celebrates courage, individuality and the power of words." The Bookseller 
 
"A philosophical tale so, so full of heart, celebrating the quietest and gentlest among us." Library Mice 
 
"A gentle read with an overwhelming power. How to be a Lion by Ed Vere italicises the need to speak up for yourself and those less strong than yourself. With his signature bold artwork this is another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator " Picture Books Blogger

Ed Vere is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books, including How To Be a Lion - winner of Oscar's Book Prize - and Max the Brave which was named one of The Sunday Times's '100 Modern Children's Classics'. 
He studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. Ed has worked with CLPE to co-create the Power of Pictures scheme which encourages visual literacy in primary school education and has received major funding from the Arts Council. He is also a painter, working from his studio in east London.

The Getaway

A fast and furious tale of the sneakiest cheese thief in town: Fingers McGraw!

Fingers McGraw is the sneakiest cheese thief in town. He's on the run with the law on his tail and he needs you to help him make his getaway! Keep a look out for the big eyes, large feet and long nose of officer Elephant as you follow Fingers' trail through downtown New York and remember, even the best look-out can fail and even the sneakiest of thieves get caught...or do they? 
 
From the New York Times bsetselling creator of Max the Brave, Ed Vere

Banana

A refreshed cover look for this favourite on sharing from the New York Times bestselling author, Ed Vere

Getting what you want can be tricky, especially if you don't ask in quite the right way. Follow one little monkey's journey through many emotions as he tries every trick in the book to get hold of his friend's banana, until he finally hits on the magic word - please! Using only two words, this is a fantastic introduction to the value of manners and compromise for young children. Packed with humour, colour and exuberance, this is a brilliant observation of toddler behaviour.

Getting what you want can be tricky, especially if you don't ask in quite the right way. Follow one little monkey's journey through many emotions as he tries every trick in the book to get hold of his friend's banana, until he finally hits on the magic word - please! 
 
Using only two words, this is a fantastic introduction to the value of manners and compromise for young children. Packed with humour, colour and exuberance, this is a brilliant observation of toddler behaviour.

Bedtime for Monsters

Bedtime for Monsters is Ed Vere's hilarious monsterish tale - with a big twist! 
 
What if a monster were looking for a bedtime snack? And what if that snack just happened to be you? GULP! He's getting closer and closer . . . and his tummy is rumbling REALLY loudly. You'd be very scared! BUT all this monster actually wants is a lovely monster-sized goodnight kiss. Night, night! 
 
Ed Vere is also the author and illustrator of Mr Big, the story about the big Gorilla with the big heart and The Getaway. Banana, his book for preschoolers, is the perfect book about manners but only has two words - 'yes please' of course! 
 
Ed Vere studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. He is published in both England and the US. Ed is also a painter, working from his studio in East London and is represented by galleries in London and Los Angeles. After a year and a half living in Barcelona, Ed now lives and works in London. 
 
Look out for the new animation of Fingers McGraw... coming soon!

What if a monster were looking for a bedtime snack? And what if that snack just happened to be you? GULP! He's getting closer and closer . . . and his tummy is rumbling REALLY loudly. But all this monster actually wants is a lovely monster-sized goodnight kiss. Night, night! 
 
A bedtime classic from the New York Times bestselling author, Ed Vere.

Grumpy Frog

Grumpy Frog is not grumpy. He loves green, and he loves to hop, and he loves winning. But what happens when Grumpy Frog doesn't win, or encounters - horror of horrors - a Pink Rabbit? 
Join Grumpy Frog as he learns about compromise and tolerance, friendship and the power of saying sorry. 
A hilarious book with a twist in the tail about getting - and getting rid of - the grumps from New York Times best-selling author, Ed Vere.

My favourite yet of Vere's brilliantly irreverent picture books. One young frog  loves the colour green, as well as hopping and, of course, winning. But what happens when things don't go to plan? Contrary he may be, but this wonderfully expressive little fellow will have you charmed. Infectiously funny, it's a dream to read aloud, with a positive message about friendship, compromise and saying sorry. And children will adore the snappy twist in the tail.

Grumpy Frog is horribly prejudiced against anything that isn't green like him. That, along with his relentless competitiveness, means he isn't much fun to be around, but in the depths of loneliness will he learn compassion and tolerance? It's a scrappy, happy tale

The hilarious story of a cantankerous creature who loves hoping, winning and the colour green ... Pre-schoolers will roar with laughter at Ed Vere's witty illustrations

The hilarious tale of a frog who loves hopping, winning and all things green. But what happens when he doesn't win and a pink rabbit offers to be his friend?

Daily Mail Online 'Summer's Hottest Reads'

A rather neat moral tale that's brilliantly written and illustrated with a kind of frog-like frisson of energy and intensity, as you'd expect from Ed... A fabulous central character narrates his own story, with tons of opportunities for read-aloud fun. Ed has done it again!

Frog is having "one of those days" and he's not afraid to tell everyone. As long as things are going frog's way, we'll all be ok, but when they aren't, we're all inn for it! This delightfully discombobulated frog has emotional challenges and this book is about learning to deal with them. Despite his disdainful surface demeanour, deep down Frog is nothing but charming, and little readers will be chortling with laughter as they join him in learning how to embrace difference and manage emotions

Vere's signature vibrant colours and thick black lines brilliantly accompany the dynamic text, touching on some difficult themes with lightness and zeal... this is a great example of a humorous anthropomorphic picture book working perfectly as a platform to showcase some very serious issues.

This deftly told story shows how important it is to say sorry, and to compromise - and how that will get rid of the grumps in the best possible way.

A fabulously colourful tale of compromise, tolerance and realising your own shortcomings. It's a story that invites children to acknowledge their own emotions and embrace their own weaknesses.

A hilarious book with a twist in the tale about getting, and getting rid of, the grumps, Grumpy Frog subtly teaches the importance of being kind to all.

Bestselling author and illustrator Ed Vere is back with a new picture book. Grumpy Frog follows the amphibian as he learns about compromise, friendship and the power of analogy. He may even manage to get rid of his grumpiness!

Max and Bird

Meet Max - the mighty kitten and New York Times bestseller. 
 
When Max meets Bird, Max thinks he'd like to be friends with Bird. He would also like to chase Bird and maybe eat him as a tasty snack. 
 
But that's not what friendship is all about . . . Is it?

Ed Vere has a unique style of artwork for his picture books. The colours are vibrant, the characters are distinctive, the style is a little bit scrappy, in a very charming way. We are big fans in our house so we sat down eagerly to read the latest offering. Here we have Max, a sweet black cat with enormous eyes who meets and befriends a bird. Well, initially his plan is that they play chase and then Max will eat up Bird for a tasty snack but Bird has another idea... 
I love how lively Ed Vere's books are. They are often use very simple words, sometimes without sentences, but in this instance there's more text. It is all very easily understood, however, by toddlers and older children alike. The story starts with the funny premise of a cat and a bird wanting to be friends, and with an agreement between the two that first Max will try to help Bird learn to fly, and then after that they can think about the whole chasing and tasty snack thing! When it comes down to it, however, Max finds that he has no idea how to teach Bird to fly. 
They decide to visit the library (much to this Librarian's delight) and there they take out lots of helpful books that they spend a very long time reading together. Then they put in a great deal of effort in actually trying to fly. It's all they can think about all day long, and so they find it's all they dream about during the night too! In the end they ask a pigeon for some tips. He, rather unhelpfully, tells them they should just stick out their wings and flap, and then he does lots of showing off flying! After a long time Bird does in fact manage to fly, and of course then he tells Max that since a deal is a deal he'd better eat him up, which means Max goes away to do a lot of thinking about what he wants to do... 
I won't reveal the ending, but it's safe for bedtime reading! I love how wonderfully expressive two such simply drawn characters can be. There's a great deal of movement and energy through the book, and both Max and Bird say everything, really, with their huge eyes. All of the illustrations are engaging and sweet and funny, though I especially like the picture of Max and Bird in a large checked armchair, reading a book titled 'How to Fly'. I also like the showing off pigeon page. Silly old pigeon! Each page has a bright background, and the pictures have various layouts from full two page spreads to smaller, panel pictures. 
You can have a good chat about cats, and what it's like to find a dismembered animal on the floor, if that's the sort of thing that rocks your toddler's boat. Or you can just enjoy a sweet story about how a friendship grows and develops. I like it as a demonstration of the rewards from trying hard...always a good lesson to instil I think. Though I hope my little boy doesn't now think that if he just flaps hard enough he'll be able to fly too! Lovely for bedtimes, or any time really.

Ed Vere's ever-delightful Max the kitten returns for another adventure [...] shot through with Vere's trademark irreverent wit, which will keep adult readers amused through multiple readings

Max at Night

This is Max. Max is very sleepy. It's way past Max's bedtime. Max has drunk his milk. Max has brushed his teeth. Max has cleaned behind his ears. Now Max just needs to say goodnight... 
Max is tired and all ready for bed, but when he can't find the moon to say goodnight to, he sets out to find it. But that's not as easy as Max had hoped... Witty and heart-warming, this stylish and beautifully illustrated book is the perfect bedtime read.

Vere's playful, minimalist illustrations are just right for this quiet story. Some might wonder how the cat will cope with a new moon, but everyone will be rooting for Max, and hoping he returns in another adventure.

Max the Brave

Meet Max - the mighty kitten and New York Times bestseller. 
 
Max is Brave, Max is Fearless, Max is a Mouse-catcher... 
 
But, in order to be a Mouse-catcher, Max needs to know what a mouse is, so off he goes to find out. 
 
This hilarious new picture book from the phenomenally-talented Ed Vere introduces a new and lovable character, with Ed's trademark bold illustrations and clever story. 
 
Other Ed Vere titles to look out for: 
Banana; Bedtime for Monsters; Mr. Big; The Getaway

Meet Max - the mighty kitten and New York Times bestseller. 
 
This is Max. Doesn't Max look sweet. Max looks so sweet that sometimes people like to dress him up in ribbons. Max does not like being dressed up in ribbons. Because Max is a fearless kitten. Max is an intrepid kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a Kitten who chases MICE. 
 
Max the Brave is a brilliantly witty new character from acclaimed author and illustrator, Ed Vere. Told with deadpan humour and with beautifully stylish illustrations, this is something to be enjoyed by parents and children alike.

Waffles and Julius: No Hugs Please

A brilliantly funny brand new series from an award-winning creator 
 
Meet Waffles and Julius.Waffles loves hugs. 
Julius does not.Waffles would love a hug right now. 
Will Waffles get a hug?

Ed Vere

Meet Max - the mighty kitten and New York Times bestseller! Witty and heart-warming, stylish and beautifully illustrated, Max the Brave is now ready for a nighttime adventure. 
 
This is Max. Max is very sleepy. It's way past Max's bedtime. Max has drunk his milk. Max has brushed his teeth. Max has cleaned behind his ears. Now Max just needs to say goodnight. . . 
 
Max is tired and all ready for bed, but when he can't find the moon to say goodnight to, he sets out to find it. But that's not as easy as Max had hoped...

Ed Vere

Books by Ed Vere

Series by Ed Vere

Max

Articles featuring Ed Vere

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Best children’s books that celebrate difference

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