From Aesop's Fables to shamanic totems, animals have long been at the centre of our imaginative world, providing wise insights. In many tribal cultures, animals underpin the spiritual world and are honoured as advisers. This delightful new collection of stories at bedtime features inspiring, funny and enlightening animals from all over the world. Here you will find the firefly who can't find his fire, the baby kangaroo who's ashamed he hasn't yet learned to hop and a condor who lives atop a temple at Machu Picchu in Peru and helps to rescue a lost girl. You will also discover amazing legendary creatures including a fire-breathing dragon who just wants a friend and a beautiful unicorn who teaches a spoilt princess the joy of sharing. The stories will not only excite your child's imagination: they also explore issues your child may well encounter in his or her daily life, including coping with shyness and managing change. 'Magical Messages' at the end of each tale help to highlight its positive message. Designed to be read either by parents to their children or by children on their own, these lovely narratives focus the child's mind and provide a soothing transition into sleep or to give food for thought during daytime reading.

 

There are 144 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2013 by Watkins Media .

Andrew Weale is a writer, trainer and actor based in London. After studying Classics at Oxford University he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Andrew has now written five books for children. He has also gone back to university, this time as a lecturer for an MA course on picture books. Lou Kuenzler is a talented new author of children's fiction. She has previously worked as a drama teacher and theatre director. She writes in a humourous and engaging style.