Jenny Nimmo

Elly knows right away that the little rock she found is not just an ordinary pebble. She can feel its quiet magic and names him Stone Mouse. Her older brother, Ted, refuses to believe her. To him, it is just a dirty, useless rock. But Ted has been carrying around a lot of anger lately, lashing out at everyone and everything around him. As Ted's bad mood grows worse, his constant anger starts to stir up real trouble for the entire family. Stone Mouse may be small and quiet, but he is fiercely loyal to Elly, and he watches closely as Ted's temper spins out of control. Soon, the magical little stone realizes he might be the only one who can help soothe Ted's heart and stop a major disaster. This beautifully gentle and touching story explores how we handle our big, difficult feelings and proves that even the smallest, quietest objects can hold the most incredible magic.

Dando isn't like other dragons. While the rest of his family soars through the sky, Dando is stuck on the ground, unable to use his wings. When he is suddenly captured by a group of dangerous humans, things look incredibly bleak for the grounded little dragon. Locked away and frightened, Dando feels entirely alone until he makes some very unexpected friends. With the help of a kindhearted servant girl, a tiny orphaned bird, and even the lonely son of the very people who trapped him, Dando begins to hatch a daring escape plan. Together, this unusual team must use all their courage and cleverness to outsmart the grown-ups. This heartwarming story proves that true friendship can be found in the most unlikely places, and that sometimes, all you need to finally take flight is a little bit of help and someone who believes in you.

Joe has never seen anything quite like the massive, leafy tree growing in his grandmother's garden. It shivers as if it has a mind of its own, and if you listen closely, it almost sounds like it is whispering secrets. Granny Diamond absolutely loves the tree, cherishing the memory of a beautiful owl she once saw perched high in its branches. But the grumpy next-door neighbor, Mr. Rock, despises the sprawling tree and is determined to chop it down completely. Joe is terrified of heights and has never climbed a tree in his life, but he knows he cannot just stand by and let Mr. Rock destroy something so magical. Does the whispering tree have a secret message specifically for Joe? To save this enchanting piece of nature, a very timid boy will have to find an enormous amount of courage. This beautifully told, award-winning story is a perfect adventure about facing your fears and protecting the wonders of the natural world.