New Kids on the Bookshelf

With the summer holidays now drawing to a close, it's time to start thinking about 'Back to School.' And what better way to brighten up your child's day than with one of our new pictures books!

Here at Hubble & Hattie, we have always promoted compassion, understanding, and respect between all animals through our publications. Books that are of real benefit to the species they cover are what we aim to achieve, and we feel that it is never too early to learn such important values! This notion led to the launch of Hubble & Hattie Kids!; books that will champion the same ethos to a younger audience. 

These beautifully illustrated and carefully crafted books are publications that children – and a fair number of adults – will cherish and learn from, absorbing life lessons that will help improve the lives of all animals, and our relationships with them. 

Worzel goes for a walk! Will you come too?

A Hubble & Hattie regular, Worzel is back, and this time he wants to take you on a walk to one of his favourite places – the beach! Just like Worzel says hello! Will you be my friend?, this charming story is told from Worzel's point of view, accompanied by Chantal Bourgonje's beautiful illustrations, and aims to help children learn how to walk dogs in a safe and responsible way. 

Taking a dog for a walk is both pleasurable and essential for any dog. In Worzel goes for a walk! Will you come too?, children learn there are important rules that need to be followed to ensure that the experience is a positive one for all those involved. 

"I loved this book. It's beautifully written and the illustrations complement the text so well." – The BookBag

The Lucky, Lucky Leaf

Speaking of Chantal Bourgonje, her own book based on her wonderful Horace & Nim illustrations and The Lucky, Lucky Leaf, written by David Hoskins, follows a group of forest friends on a windy autumn day, as they are out catching falling leaves for luck. Nim wants to break his all-time record of five lucky leaves before teatime. But the more leaves he catches, the more accidents he seems to have! And then Kay accidentally hurts Nim's feelings. Forget breaking records, will Nim survive until teatime?

This book encourages compassion for others, enjoyment of nature and playing outside in a way that will charm children and adults alike.

"The Lucky, Lucky Leaf has marvellous read-aloud appeal." – Geelong Obedience Dog Club

The Little House that didn't have a home

From the same illustrator who brought us the incredibly funny Ollie and Nina and ... Daft Doggy Doings! comes this wonderful little tale. Written by Steve Burke and accompanied by Neil Sullivan's colourful imagery, The Little House that didn't have a home tells the story of a cheeky and plucky little house that doesn't have a place to live. He packs his bag, and along with his best friend Bear, sets off into the big wide world to find themselves their 'forever home.' Along the way, they encounter lots of interesting characters, some nice, some sad, some not so nice, and some very rude indeed!

"This little classic will endure in the mind of a child as he/she matures and grows." – Geelong Obedience Dog Club

Make sure to get your hands on these wonderful books, and keep an eye out, as we have plenty more children's books coming your way!

Worzel says hello to the SCBWI!

We've told you all about Worzel and Catherine Pickles' latest book, Worzel says hello! Will you be my friend? as we can't get enough of it! 

All of those involved with this book have been hard at work spreading this incredible message, and recently, Worzel illustrator Chantel Bourgonje took the charming book to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) British Isle Conference.

The SCBWI was founded in 1971, and is an international non-profit organisation that acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, and many others who are involved in children's book making and creating.

During the last weekend in November, the British Isle region of the SCBWI held its annual conference. This year's theme was humour, with the Seriously Funny Party and Mass Book Launch closing off the Saturday. This event was to celebrate all children's books by members of the SCBWI over the course of 2017.

Chantal says: "In groups of 5 all writers and illustrators were called to the stage and 'honoured' and everybody got a few moments in the limelight. It was nice to get public recognition for the work you've done. Having the opportunity to chat with other writers and illustrators was great. We're often experiencing similar things and it was good to share experiences and make new contacts with people who do the same job."

To top it off, they had an amazing cake decorated with a marzipan cover of all the books that were celebrated that evening. See if you can spot Worzel!

What a great way to round off what has been a truly fabumazing year for team Worzel!

Worzel's Quite Very Actual Busy Summer

Ever since becoming an internet sensation with his acclaimed bloggy fing, Worzel Wooface has been on the fast-track to being a sellebberty dog. And the past few months have been especially busy, as he has had not one, but two new books published!

Of course, if you're an avid follower of all things Hubble & Hattie, you'll know about Worzel, but if you are new to this literary Lurcher, let's quickly get you up to speed. Taken in by Hounds First Sighthounds Rescue, and then adopted into his forever home by Catherine Pickles and her famberly, Worzel sees it as his very himportant duty to be an ambassador for rescue pups. And he's doing a fins job of it, too! In addition to his bloggy fing – which was a finalist in the 2015 UK Blog Awards – he has a collie-um-num in his local newspaper, and a total of four published works!

Three Quite Very Actual Cheers for Worzel Wooface! is his latest literary offering, which details his third year. The list of adventures he has embarked on is endless: the famberly's bid to save Worzel's favourite beach, heading out on a foreign holiday, and how to handle a foster brother, to name but a few! 

Reviews are just starting to reach us here at Hubble & Hattie HQ, and are quite actual fabumazing! Here are a couple of snippets:

"Totally delighted with the third book in the series, I think they just get better and better, and long may it last!"

– Dog Training Weekly

"Live and laugh with Worzel! Learn to speak Lurcher, too!"

– Geelong Obedience Dog Club

Worzel's mum, Catherine, always wanted to write a children's book that features her luffly boykin, and back in August her wish was realised with the release of Worzel Says Hello! Will You Be My Friend? The praise for this book has been outstanding, and rightly so! Combined with Chantal Bourgonje's marvellous illustrations, the book aims to teach children how to interact and make friends with dogs in a safe and happy way.

"This book for children addresses the issues of introducing a potentially nervous rescue dog to young children."

– Australian Dog Lover

"Watch as Worzel goes from shy and scared to girl's best friend in this delightful read, fit for any child's book collection."

– Dogs Monthly

"An accurate, aesthetic, artistic, literary delight! Hubble & Hattie has set a formidable benchmark for canine educators, opting for the popular picture storybook format."
– Geelong Obedience Dog Club

"This book is gorgeous. Every child (and an awful lot of adults) should read this book: it could make their whole lives a lot happier."

– The Bookbag

If all that excitement wasn't enough Worzel for you, then you're in luck, as there's more! Worzel was hinterviewed for PeTA by its very own doggy reporter, Jasper Bossyboots. Jasper, a fuge fan of Worzel's, had a whole list of questions to ask, from what is it like being a sellebberty dog, how he writes his books, and more. You can read the full hinterview here.

Now, I know what you're thinking: that's still not enough of the luffly boykin for you! Well, you can keep up with Worzel in many different ways, whether through his bloggy fing, or his Facebook, or Twitter, so you'll never be without a bit of Worzel for long!

Babies, kids and dogs

Creating a safe and harmonious relationship

New from Hubble & Hattie this month is this wonderful blend of science, compassion and respect, from Melissa Fallon and Vicki Davenport, a must-have for anyone with kids and dogs.

As with adults, children and dogs alike benefit greatly both mentally and physically, from living together, if carefully managed. Babies, kids and dogs will help you to develop lifelong friendships and skills, by providing guidance on creating safe relationships between your dogs and your children.

Despite its modest 96 pages, the book is absolutely packed with essential information and guidance on how to develop the very best relationship between children and dogs. It provides step-by-step exercises to prepare dogs to be around babies and children, helps manage first interactions, teaches children how to behave appropriately around dogs, and encourages positive relationships.

Champ & Charlie help engage younger children.

Included within are instructional colour photographs, tables to assist with assessing and training your dog, and step-by-step exercises. Educational 'Champ and Charlie' illustrations help engage the interest of young children, in order to teach them about behaving appropriately when interacting with their canine friends. Throughout, you'll find suggestions for ways to promote safe interactions, and develop lifelong friendships.

This really is an important book, whether or not you already have a dog and children in the house.

Babies, kids and dogs

Creating a safe and harmonious relationship

With information and guidance on how to develop a safe and harmonious relationship between children and dogs, this book contains step-by-step exercises to prepare dogs to be around babies and children, help manage first interactions, teach children how to behave appropriately around dogs, and encourage positive relationships.

• Kindly and easily train your dog to behave well, and be safe around babies and children
• Help your children learn how to behave appropriately around dogs
• Guidance on promoting positive, safe and harmonious interactions
• Step-by-step exercises to prepare your dog for living with babies and children
• Educational illustrations that will interest and engage children
• Specially-commissioned colour photographs assist with training
• Developing an understanding of bite prevention
• Developing lifelong skills around animals
• By authors who are canine trainers, behaviourists – and parents!
• Written with your dog’s welfare very much in mind

HH4890 • Paperback • 20.5x20.5cm • £13.99 • 96 pages • 108 colour pictures
ISBN: 978-1-845848-90-3 • UPC: 6-36847-04890-7

Babies, kids and dogs is available directly from Hubble & Hattie, or from all good vendors

http://www.hubbleandhattie.co.uk/shop/HH4890/