The library
50 stories
50 stories
- What to do if you get lost
A Moon Small as a Button
Cleo set the library books on the returns counter with their spines facing Grandpa. One was about beetles. One was about bread.
Ages 6–75 min read - What to do if you get lost
A Seat in a Shell
Theo and Mum were looking for a fish with a moustache. They had seen it on the little picture beside the aquarium tank, but…
Ages 4–52 min read - What to do if you get lost
A Sky of Silver Dots
Safiya held a blue ribbon above the little cardboard loom while Aunt May leaned close to inspect it.
Ages 6–74 min read - What to do if you get lost
The Wonderfully Lopsided Apple
Hugo was looking for an apple with a leaf still attached. Mum was looking for apples that would soften into golden puddles when she…
Ages 6–72 min read - What to do if you get lost
The Loaf with a Smile
Dalia stood beside Grandpa at the market's bread stall with an important job to do. They needed a loaf for lunch.
Ages 4–52 min read - What to do if you get lost
Kit and the Tiny Lines
Kit held the green crayon on its side and rubbed it across his paper. Underneath was a bumpy leaf shape.
Ages 4–52 min read - What to do if you get lost
Nora’s Little Yellow Pot
Nora and Mum were choosing a little plant at the garden shop. Nora held a small yellow pot.
Ages 2–32 min read - What to do if you get lost
Benji and the Huge Wheels
Benji and Dad looked at a big model tractor in the museum. It was red, with a little seat and huge black wheels.
Ages 2–32 min read - What to do if you get lost
Lottie and the Little Library Table
Lottie sat beside Grandma at the little library table. They had a board book open between them. “A duck,” said Lottie.
Ages 2–32 min read - Bossy — always wants control
A Pinecone Behind the Stump
Tobin the beaver kit had gathered six pinecones beside the pond. He lined them up on a flat stone.
Ages 4–52 min read - Scared of new situations
Sable's First Clap
Sable the fennec fox kit stood at the door. The den was big. New smells drifted in. New light spilled on the floor.
Ages 2–32 min read - Afraid of the dark
The Little Dancer on Pippa's Wall
Pippa the hedgehog kit curled into her mossy bed, and Ember the firefly lantern glowed soft and gold beside her pillow.
Ages 4–53 min read - Doesn't want to try new things
A Little Dent in the Clay
Every afternoon, Asha sat at the little desk in her bedroom and drew with pencils.
Ages 6–72 min read - Fear of animals
We Can Watch from Here
Esme sat on her bed. Mama helped with her shoes. Esme held Mama's hand. They went to see a pony.
Ages 2–32 min read - Tells lies
Bibi and the Purple Cloth
Bibi the otter pup sat beside Papa. A berry bowl rested by her feet. Papa held a purple cloth with little white dots.
Ages 2–32 min read - Fear of animals
Paws Say Hello Too
Nico stood in the yard. He had never met a dog before. Next door's gate was open. Biscuit ran fast, straight at him.
Ages 2–32 min read - Fear of animals
Otis and the Sniffing Hello
Otis the otter lived in a cozy den tucked under the roots of a willow tree, right beside the stream where he practiced his…
Ages 6–75 min read - Moving to a new home
One More Gentle Swing
Della sat on her little garden swing. “One more gentle swing,” said Mum. Della held the ropes. Her feet brushed the grass.
Ages 2–32 min read - Says mean or rude things
Toby and the Yoghurt Spoon
Toby sits at the table. Morning light comes in. The kitchen is warm. His spoon rests by his bowl.
Ages 2–32 min read - Starting nursery or school
Jo Sits Here
Rafi sat on his bed. His new nursery bag stood by his feet. He held Mum's hand tight. Today was his first nursery day.
Ages 2–32 min read - New baby — jealousy after arrival
Effie’s Pink Scarf
Effie the little red panda sat beside Mum. Her soft pink scarf lay on her lap. Dad held her baby brother nearby.
Ages 2–32 min read - Moving to a new home
Esme’s Yellow Cushion
Esme sat on her little yellow cushion. Dad sat beside her. Rain ran down the kitchen window.
Ages 2–32 min read - Scared of loud noises
Ada and the Little Yellow Moons
Ada the badger cub spread the picnic blanket beside Mama. They had eaten their sandwiches, and the park was growing dark.
Ages 4–54 min read - Moving to a new home
The Crooked Green Pocket
Leonie sat on her bedroom floor with a box between her knees. Mum was beside her wrapping the bedside lamp in a towel.
Ages 6–72 min read - Bossy — always wants control
A Spot Beside the Rabbit
Mabel was a little mouse pup. She put a cushion on the floor. “Here is our pretend boat!” Her toy rabbits sat in a…
Ages 2–32 min read - Starting nursery or school
Toby's Peg and the Red Bus
Toby sat on his bed. Mum helped with his socks. Today was his first nursery day. At nursery, Toby stood by his peg.
Ages 2–32 min read - Won't share toys
Poppy and the Daisy Can
Poppy the piglet sat by the flowers. Her brother sat beside her. Mama sat on the grass. Poppy held two toy watering cans.
Ages 2–32 min read - Hurts other kids' feelings
Room for Three Green Stars
Hugo sat on his bedroom rug with Mia. Paper and crayons lay between them. They were making crowns for their stuffed animals.
Ages 4–52 min read - Starting nursery or school
Back to This Later
On his first school morning Evan sat on his bedroom rug and fastened his shoes twice.
Ages 6–72 min read - Won't share toys
A Roof and a Waiting Stone
Orla the beaver kit had built a twig castle beside the pond. It had a wide doorway and a tiny room for a smooth…
Ages 6–76 min read - Scared of new situations
Pip and the Orange Armband
Pip the fox kit stood at the edge of the pool room, his striped towel bunched tight in his paws.
Ages 4–55 min read - Cries over everything
Hattie Sits Close
Hattie was a little hedgehog. She sat beside Mum. Her feet hung above the floor. Her breakfast was on the table.
Ages 2–32 min read - Says 'I can't do it' — gives up
Toes First, Benji
Benji the little panda sat on the rug. Dad sat beside him. Dad pulled on a sock. Benji picked up his red sock.
Ages 2–32 min read - Struggles to make friends
The Silver-Spotted Moth
Zadie was six, and at bedtime she liked to be a zebra foal. She wore her striped pyjamas and made a nest of blankets…
Ages 6–75 min read - Says mean or rude things
Room in the Doorway
Imani sat on her bedroom rug with a piece of peach-coloured chalk and a little chalkboard laid flat before her.
Ages 6–72 min read - Hurts other kids' feelings
The Cat with One Floppy Ear
Freya was making clay animals on a little board in her bedroom. Her friend Ben sat beside her.
Ages 4–52 min read - Afraid of the dark
Purl and the Room That Stayed the Same
Lumi the snow leopard cub loved her den at the top of the mountain house, where the blankets smelled of pine and her stone…
Ages 6–74 min read - Won't share toys
A Turn, Then Back to Me
Cleo was a little raccoon. She sat beside Mama. Her red toy tractor rolled on the dirt. Her friend Ben sat nearby.
Ages 2–32 min read - Says mean or rude things
The Leaf That Looked Like a Frog
Jasper loved the nature walk more than almost anything, because outside there were always new things waiting to be found, curled under leaves or…
Ages 6–76 min read - Can't calm down
Cleo's Soft Towel
Cleo was a little koala. She went swimming with Mama. Her feet were wet. Mama held her soft towel.
Ages 2–32 min read - Fear of doctors or needles
Nell Holds Mama's Paw
Nell the rabbit kit sat on Mama's lap. Her throat was sore. Her doctor sat near them. Mama held Nell close.
Ages 2–32 min read - Refuses to apologize
Pip and the White-Striped Pebble
Pip the penguin chick kept his favourite pebble beside his sleeping hollow. It was smooth and grey, with one white stripe.
Ages 4–52 min read - Scared of new situations
The Thumbprint in Dax's Pocket
The pottery room smelled of cool clay and rain, and the moment Dax the badger cub stepped through the door, the room felt bigger…
Ages 6–76 min read - Doesn't want to try new things
Nell's Little Push
Nell had little lambs on her night clothes. She sat on her bedroom rug. Her toy cars waited by the ramp.
Ages 2–32 min read - Too shy to join in
A Place for Posy's Potato
Posy kept her paws in her lap. She sat close to Mum. Her toes pressed into the grass. She peeked at the play dough.
Ages 2–32 min read - Nightmares and monsters
The Little Watcher by the Wardrobe
Perrin the kobold lay curled under his quilt. His feet were tucked warm and snug. His bedroom door stood open a crack.
Ages 4–53 min read - Parent away for a long time
Nico's Little Yellow Boat
Nico held his little yellow bath boat. Dad helped him put on his coat. They went to see Mum. Mum was in hospital.
Ages 2–32 min read - Fear of doctors or needles
Zara's Little Steps
Zara the red panda cub sat beside Mama in the little woodland clinic. Her striped tail curled around her feet.
Ages 4–52 min read - Bossy — always wants control
A Kitten in the Puppy Game
Willa the wombat joey bounced on the grass. Today was puppy day. Mum sat by a tree.
Ages 2–32 min read - Too rough with the baby
Watch and Wait, Little Nose
Nell the little rabbit sat beside Mama. Her baby brother lay in Mama's arms. Nell leaned against her soft fur.
Ages 2–32 min read