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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.

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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