Gecko Press

Written by Ulf Nilsson and illustrated by Gitte Spee.  Translated by Julia Marshall.

The final story in this big-hearted series takes on the most important case ever investigated in Detective Gordon’s forest—where is Buffy’s mother?  Gordon faces his old nemesis, the fox, in an investigation that leads to the edges of the forest.

Hardcover, 108 pages.  5.8 x 8 inches.

Gecko Press.

About the Detective Gordon series:

Detective Gordon is a friendly, philosophical, humorous, and thoughtful detective series following the adventures of the rather tired—and often hungry—Detective Gordon and his chirpy assistant, Buffy.

Detective Gordon is something of a humanist, and keeps an eye out for the weaker inhabitants of his woods.  The books are full of warm, witty wisdom from one of Sweden’s foremost children’s authors, Ulf Nilsson.  The text is affectionately and generously illustrated in watercolor and pencil by acclaimed Dutch illustrator, Gitte Spee.  This is a detective series with depth—ideal for elementary school, perfect for reading alone, wonderful for reading aloud.

Written by Ulf Nilsson and illustrated by Gitte Spee.  Translated by Julia Marshall.

Gordon is on vacation, and Buffy is the sole detective at the small police station in the forest.  It is not easy for a police officer to be alone.  Especially when there are strange noises outside the station at night.  Buffy decides to seek out Gordon in his little cottage by the lake to ask for help.  After all, two police think twice as well as one.  Two police are twice as brave! 

Hardcover, 108 pages.  5.8 x 8 inches.

Gecko Press.

About the Detective Gordon series:

Detective Gordon is a friendly, philosophical, humorous, and thoughtful detective series following the adventures of the rather tired—and often hungry—Detective Gordon and his chirpy assistant, Buffy.

Detective Gordon is something of a humanist, and keeps an eye out for the weaker inhabitants of his woods.  The books are full of warm, witty wisdom from one of Sweden’s foremost children’s authors, Ulf Nilsson.  The text is affectionately and generously illustrated in watercolor and pencil by acclaimed Dutch illustrator, Gitte Spee.  This is a detective series with depth—ideal for elementary school, perfect for reading alone, wonderful for reading aloud.

Illustrated in full colour and packed with character and humour, this is the fifth whodunnit mystery in the award-winning Detective Gordon series, fun to read alone or aloud.

A Case with a Bang is the final book in the series of funny detective stories for early readers set in a friendly forest in which two determinedly fair police — retired-toad Gordon and the indefatigable mouse Buffy — solve the mystery and stop regularly to eat cake.

Night brings a horrible humming, scraping sound in the forest.  Someone has wrecked the badger’s trash can.  Later, three large creatures are spotted up on the mountain.

Detective Buffy discovers this seemingly small case really is a dangerous mystery — she comes back from her first investigation flat as a gingerbread, rolled over by something huge and terrifying.

Back at the station, retired Detective Gordon is training a new young police assistant, and the cakes have run out in the forest bakery!

While all the animals cower at the police station, Buffy remembers Gordon’s stories about trolls.  Is it possible they do exist?  Taking Gordon’s advice about how everyone thinks differently, she finds a way to communicate with the giant creatures — perhaps not so terrifying after all.

The book leaves readers with a memorable Gordon message: Everyone thinks differently, strangers are welcome, cakes for everybody!

This final instalment in the award-winning Detective Gordon series is a multi-layered philosophical story about good detective work involving all, kindness to newcomers and doing the right thing.

Winner of multiple awards and accolades, Detective Gordon is a mystery series with depth — perfect for reading alone for emerging readers, wonderful for reading aloud together as a chapter book.

A brilliant detective story by Ulf Nilsson, one of Sweden’s top children’s writers and illustrated by Gitte Spee in full colour throughout.  A book to read alone or aloud!

Available in either Softcover, 20.4 x 14.4 cm, or Hardcover.

Gecko Press.

Ideal for children 6-9 years old.

About the Detective Gordon series:

Detective Gordon is a friendly, philosophical, humorous, and thoughtful detective series following the adventures of the rather tired—and often hungry—Detective Gordon and his chirpy assistant, Buffy.

Detective Gordon is something of a humanist, and keeps an eye out for the weaker inhabitants of his woods. The books are full of warm, witty wisdom from one of Sweden’s foremost children’s authors, Ulf Nilsson. The text is affectionately and generously illustrated in watercolor and pencil by acclaimed Dutch illustrator, Gitte Spee. This is a detective series with depth—ideal for elementary school, perfect for reading alone, wonderful for reading aloud.

Written by Rose Lagercrantz and illustrated by Eva Eriksson; Translated by Julia Marshall

It is spring and Dani is going to Rome for her father’s wedding. But Ella is not invited; Dad said no. What will Ella think when she learns she hasn’t been invited to her best friend’s dad’s wedding?

This is the final book about Dani and Ella’s friendship.  The road between them has become longer and longer.  They almost never meet.  Will their friendship survive the distance?

A chapter book for children ages 6 and up.

The 7th and final book in the My Happy Life series

Recommended for ages 6 - 8 years.

Hardcover, 224 pages.  21 x 15 cm (8.3 x 5.8").

Gecko Press, 2020.

Reviews

“This series fills a gap of good reading for five- to seven-year-olds. It gives them a proper grown-up reading experience that is accessible but also has emotional weight.”  ~ Julia Marshall

"As fresh, funny, and real as ever, this seventh volume of the series sees the two firm friends Dani and Ella separated by circumstance. First Dani is sick in hospital with pneumonia. Then she travels to Italy for her father's wedding. The cast is bigger here, as Dani meets the Italian side of her extended family, and the setting is wider, as she is dragged along to see the sights of Rome. (The Sistine Chapel is 'old ceiling paintings.') The plot contains several suspenseful crises and one good surprise. But the heart of the story, and its appeal, remains in its emotional authenticity and in the subtle shifts in the girls' relationships with their families, schoolmates, and each other. The text's short chapters are filled with perfectly chosen details. The scratch black-and-white drawings convey subtext in their composition. Dani's relatives bunch together on a picturesque bridge, energetically chatting away in Italian as she stands apart, gazing into the water. The pictures also add texture and depth to the settings—a hairy dog, a pile of scratchy branches, smooth cobblestones, the nubble of a knitted sweater. In this child-centered take on sightseeing, the Colosseum is sketched in a few lines; the window of a toy store, much more detailed. Once again, this Swedish author-illustrator duo demonstrates the rich potential of the early chapter book."—The Horn Book Magazine—Journal

"Fans of the Dani series won't want to miss this endearing story, in which Dani deals with illness, makes a match, and forges ahead with a new adventure. Woven into the third-person narrative are reminders of events in the previous six books concerning Dani, her father, and her best friend, Ella. While hospitalized with pneumonia, Dani manages to reunite her father and his exgirlfriend, who become engaged. Dani recovers and attends their wedding in Rome. Afterwards, her grandmother takes her home to Sweden and arranges for her to visit Ella. Though both girls are anxious, for different reasons, about seeing the other again, the tension dissolves and happiness returns when they are able to share their worries with each other. The simply written story reflects its main character's hopeful outlook, while remaining grounded in fine-tuned emotional realism. Appearing throughout the book, Eriksson's wonderfully expressive ink drawings capture the tone of the text while portraying the characters with individuality, sensitivity, and humor. A satisfying conclusion to the lively Swedish chapter-book series that began with My Happy Life (2013)."—Booklist Online—Website

"The seventh in the My Happy Life series, translated from Swedish and imported from New Zealand. The story opens with a mystery: Where is Dani? She hasn't been to school for seven weeks, and now, no one is home at her house. Her school friends assume she's in Northbrook with best friend Ella for Easter break. But Ella is at her family's house on the island and hasn't seen Dani either. The storyline segues to Ella, who insists she is responsible enough to watch her little sister, Miranda, while their mother takes the little boat to pick up 'Ella's extra father,' Paddy. But Ella gets distracted and Miranda disappears. Ella, unable to face her mother, hides. Meanwhile, readers learn that Dani is in Rome, where her father is getting married. The Italian side of Dani's family is in full force, introducing her to Rome's attractions, but Dani misses Ella and wishes Ella could have come to the wedding too. The two storylines seamlessly join, and readers are treated to another stellar Dani and Ella story, enriched with Eriksson's inimitable (and happily, copious) pen-and-ink illustrations that express astonishingly subtle expressions and attitudes with simple lines. As in the other books in the series, this one brings a perspicacious perspective, a natural humor, a solid theme of friendship, and Dani's belief in life's capacity to bring happiness. All characters' skin is shown as the white of the paper. A gem."—Kirkus Reviews—Journal

"The sweet adventures of Dani and Ella continue in this final installment of the 'My Happy Life' series. Dani has missed school for the past few weeks after having surgery to remove her tonsils and catching pneumonia during recovery. While she is recuperating, her father Gianni decides to marry his fiancée in Rome. Dani misses her best friend Ella and is heartbroken that she can't invite her to the wedding because she is too far away. Meanwhile, Ella is slacking on her other responsibilities, like caring for her sister, as she and Dani strive to keep close when the physical distance between them grows. Lagercrantz's heartfelt story touches upon many realistic issues that young children may face, including the loss of a parent, parents dealing with depression, and adjusting to moving away from friends.

VERDICT Fans of the previous books in this series will again be delighted by this gentle, realistic depiction of two girls coping with big life changes while maintaining their friendship."—School Library Journal —Journal

written & illustrated by Bei Lynn; translated by Helen Wang.

Bibbit Jumps is a charming illustrated chapter book for emerging readers about an enthusiastic frog who sometimes misses the mark.

Bibbit is a little frog who sometimes forgets how to swim — but he’s a jumping expert. He can jump very high, very far and in many different ways.  But sometimes he feels nervous about what the day might bring — unlike his little sister, who is ready for adventure.

Bibbit Jumps is a charming illustrated chapter book, full of rhythm and resonance, from Bei Lynn, one of Taiwan’s up-and-coming author–illustrators.

For young readers ages 5-7.

Hardcover.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"These charming stories with their lovely playful watercolour illustrations convey the importance of sibling relationships, friendships and how determination and perseverance help when facing up to fear and uncertainty." ~ Outside in the World

"These gentle stories might be about a little frog and his sister, but they reflect both the logic of the very youngest and the sort of everyday event that to a child are satisfying adventures." ~ Ibby UK

"The episodes are slight and only loosely connected but the mix of fear and excitement at all the new experiences and possibilities is child-like and the importance of perseverance shines through. The ink and watercolour illustrations are very appealing, full of expression and movement and they enhance the simple text. This translated chapter book for early readers has a whimsical and gently humorous tone and the endearing character of Bibbit should appeal to young readers." ~ Books for Keeps

by David Elliot

A delightful board book for toddlers and adults to have fun experimenting with words to create funny new ones.

Playful animals get up to everyday toddler mischief in this board book built on child-based wordplay, where each page twists animal names into funny new words that are fun to share.

With illustrations drawn from a toddlers world, babies and young children will recognise each activity—getting dressed, playing, painting (including themselves), having a bath, using the potty—and see how the animal makes the mischievous most of it.

The bumblebee breaks its toy — bumblebee grumblebee!
The cockatoo is getting dressed — cockatoo sockatoo!
The pelican tries out the potty — pelican smellican!
What will turtle do?  Everybody gathers for the final squirtle.

Built for adults, babies and toddlers to share and read aloud, this fresh and sweet board book encourages experimentation with words and sounds, just by changing a letter or two.

Recommended for young readers ~1-3 years of age.  The main delight of this book is in hearing the words and sounds spoken aloud.  A delightful and interesting experience for both the children and adults.

Board book, 18 pages. 17 x 17 cm.  (6.8 x 6.8 inches).

Gecko Press.

Click here to see a video of author David Elliot reading the story to his granddaughter.

Why doesn't Berra have a grandfather?  And how can he get one?  Ulf suggests that there are plenty of old men at the retirement home.  Berra and Ulf go there together to find one—ideally one who eats pig's trotters, invites you to tea, and can teach you to whistle.

A funny, sensitive, illustrated chapter book about a friendship across generations.  Stark's writing covers every emotion, sometimes in the same sentence.  Please see the Kirkus Review below for a more in depth description of the storyline, including sensitive information.

Hardcover, 80 pages.  5.7 x 8 inches.

Gecko Press. 

Read the first chapter from the publisher's website here.

Excerpt: 

"We looked out over the world and spat our cherry stones on the ground. And Grandpa Ned didn't want to leave.  'Here we are sitting, just like in heaven,' he said, taking the last red cherry out of his hat."

From the publisher, Gecko Press:

"Our first release for 2021 is one of the world's perfect stories: Can You Whistle, Johanna? by Ulf Stark and illustrated by Anna Höglund.

This is the first book we bought English-language rights for, 15 years ago—still fresh, resonant and funny—available in a beautiful new edition for its first release in North America this spring.

Can You Whistle, Johanna? has all the things we look for in the books we publish at Gecko Press: drama, humour, human behaviour, character, plot, emotion and warmth. There are many layers and connections that make it a satisfying and lasting read. It is the kind of book that stays with you for life." 

Reviews:

written & illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Cook’s Cook follows the 1768 journey of James Cook’s H.M. Endeavour with his ship’s cook, the one-handed John Thompson, as story teller.

Gavin Bishop tells us about his work and his new book in the video here.

Best 50 Kids Books 2018, The Listener

Hardcover, 40 pages.  24.5 x 29.5 cm (9.7 x 11.7").

Gecko Press.

by Katharina von der Gathen and Anke Kuhl

The birds and the bees, literally. A fully illustrated compendium of fascinating and astonishing facts about animal reproduction for the whole family.

Bats give birth upside down. Swifts can mate while plummeting through the air. Scorpions attract their partners with a romantic dance. Male humpback whales sing together for days to bring females from many miles away. Dolphin babies come out tail first.

From sex education expert Katharina von der Gathen, Do Animals Fall in Love? is a compendium of all the weird and wonderful ways the animal kingdom reproduces – courting rituals both elaborate and devious, extraordinary physiology, cleverly planned pregnancies, the most devoted fathers and the sweetest animal babies on Earth.

With frank and honest illustrations – some full frontal – there’s something to amaze on every page, making this an excellent resource for parents and teachers to explain puberty and sex education through the more neutral animal kingdom, to children age 6 and up.

Comic illustrations bring humor and contrast to the factual and frank text, exploring all the most fascinating and astonishing facts about animal reproduction, from seduction methods and anatomy to family life and animal babies, in a compendium for the whole family.

Structured from seduction and mating through family life and ending with a page of delightful animal babies, this is a topic that will guarantee to interest children and reads like a David Attenborough documentary on the page.  Designed to be read alone or together with the family, this striking hardback compendium holds all the answers to questions children ask.

144 pages. 6.5 X 9.8 inches.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

“Irresistible in tone and content.” – starred review, Kirkus

Shortlisted for the leading German children’s book prize and other awards.

“What she [von der Gathen] does do is to demonstrate the wonder of species reproduction as well as her respect for her audience with frankness and good humor. They will find it irresistible in tone and content.” - Kirkus, starred review

“I found myself wanting to turn to those around me and ask, ‘Did you know…?’” - Children’s Book Council of Australia

"Courtship, mating, birth, and child rearing are common across the animal world, but the details can be surprising.  The German creators of Tell Me: What Children Really Want To Know About Bodies, Sex, and Emotions (2020) return with this collection of intriguing facts about animal reproduction, which might be termed a book of carnal knowledge for middle-grade and middle school readers. Sex-educator von der Gathen organizes her material into three major subjects: courting, mating, and babies. Subdivisions within each section group examples of the wide array of techniques adopted by different species. For example, seduction includes showy appearances, dances, attractive smells, songs, and battles with rivals. Each example describes the activities of a single species in a paragraph or two of exposition, delivered in a cheerful, informal tone, smoothly translated, and illustrated with an amusing cartoon of the animals described. Each section also includes pages of illustrated comparisons, with helpful labels. One set shows a variety of mating positions; another spotlights 'ingenious genitalia'; there are animal babies. Examples include both vertebrates and invertebrates. Readers can make human connections, but the writer doesn't. What she does do is to demonstrate the wonder of species reproduction as well as her respect for her audience with frankness and good humor. They will find it irresistible in tone and content.  Full of fascinating answers to the question 'How do animals do it?'" —starred, Kirkus Reviews

About the Authors:

Katharina von der Gathen works in the area of sex education with children and adolescents from a wide range of backgrounds. Katharina is also the author of Tell Me.

Anke Kuhl, born in 1970, is one of Germany’s leading children’s book illustrators, whose awards include the German Youth Literature Award in 2011.

by Kristina Andres

Eleven-and-a-half Good Night Stories with Fox and Rabbit

Hardcover, 60 pages.  9.5 x 7.5 inches.

Gecko Press.

Reviews

International bestseller by Frida Nilsson; illustrated by Stina Wirsén; Translated by Julia Marshall

Hattie is a street-smart country girl in her first year of school.   lives just outside of nowhere, right next to no one at all.   she’s starting school and that brings new adventures.

Hattie gets her first swimming badge, falls madly in love with a hermit crab and meets a best friend.  Sometimes things go wrong—like when the hairdresser cuts her hair into stumps just in time for school photos.

Hattie is perfect for newly independent readers from Frida Nilsson, whose award-winning The Ice Sea Pirates was an international bestseller. Read the publisher's interview with Frida here.

"This is the story of Hattie.  Hattie lives just outside of nowhere, right next to no one at all.

Her house is red and has its own name.  There are jabbering ducks in the duckhouse, and hens that wander and poor in her mother's flowerbeds.  Hattie has a dog called Tacka and two stripy outdoor cats, Havana and Stick.

Hattie has been waiting forever for school to start.  She's looking forward to it so much, she might burst."

Hardcover, 148 pages.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"Nilsson has a peculiar power to make you remember exactly what it was like to be small, fierce, disempowered and six." ~ The Times

"Her worries, struggles and enthusiasm will be familiar to young readers and make Hattie familiar and likeable – someone you’d like to have as a friend…Imbued with colour and a very Swedish feel, Hattie introduces Australian readers to a loveable, naughty and very full of life young girl. Spending a year in Hattie’s world is an enjoyable and enlightening experience." ~ Magpies

"Nilsson’s rambunctious 6 year old heroine, Hattie, will quickly become your child’s new best friend." ~ What We Do All Day

"Hattie proves to be a memorable heroine with an impulsive streak and a nose for trouble and is somewhat reminiscent of that other Scandinavian mischief maker Pippi Longstocking. The school story is a familiar one in children’s literature, but Hattie’s tale is told in a fresh, funny and oh-so-relatable way. Her worries and fears will be familiar to all readers, big and small, and her empathetic reactions to the situations in which she finds herself make this a realistic and engrossing read. Nilsson is a master at making you see the world through her characters’ eyes, and Hattie is a character to be celebrated in this charming, funny and relatable book. With quirky and amusing illustrations by Stina Wirsén, Hattie is a pure delight from start to finish and will be eagerly gobbled up by young readers everywhere." ~ INES Magazine

"There is much to love about this loud-talking, large-hearted, scamp of a girl. Her spirit blinds you with its brilliance. Humour bubbles through every candid utterance and through every artless thought until your tummy wobbles with mirth." ~ Dimity Powell

"Hattie is a fun, and funny book. Her adventures are sweet and she quickly becomes an endearing child." ~NetGalley

"Hattie’s cover T-shirt “Watch Out” sets the tone for Hattie’s adventures. Many of Hattie’s escapades are rebellious but she is often the one who tones down her behaviour or recognises her own failings and does something to correct them…Short chapters make this book inviting to younger readers. Sentence structure is simple but not simplistic. There are occasional black line drawings which enliven the text." ~The Children’s Book Council of Australia Reading Time

"While Hattie is a mischievous child prone to dramatizing and over thinking situations, she is an endearing character. She has a very contrite and caring side when she realizes she has gone too far. It is an easy to read story with short chapters and would be a great read aloud story for Junior Primary students. The simple illustrations by Stina Wirsen are spaced throughout the text and make a welcome addition to the story."  ~ ReadPlus

"It’s a completely wild ride – from hysterical laughing to nail-biting nerves, Hattie puts you through your paces. For a large part this is because she is a huge troublemaker. Yet what makes her antics so amusing is that her impulsiveness leads them to (nearly) go very wrong…Frida Nilsson is a worthy successor to the great Astrid Lindgren, and indeed Hattie could very easily be this generation’s Pippi Longstocking." ~ Readings

"Hattie reminded me of audacious Pippi Longstocking – but Hattie is her own extraordinary self, and she’s excellent company." ~ NZ Poetry Box, Paula Green

"Readers are sure to be endeared to Hattie’s independent spirit. The simple line pen and ink drawings by Stina Wirsén are comical and expressive and help to capture the lovable Hattie and her antics. Hattie is the perfect series for newly independent readers." ~ Outside in the World

"Youngsters around Hattie’s age will surely love reading about, or hearing of, her escapades; this is a girl with a thirst for fun, a total charmer who just doesn’t stop and think about the consequences of her actions before plunging straight in. She does though pause for thought, reflect and take on board the lessons learned. The occasional line drawings by Stina Wirsén are a sheer delight too." ~ Red Reading Hub

"Hattie is from the Pippi Longstocking school of clever, anti-establishment little girls who have the capacity for misrule until their conscience kicks in, their hearts turn to fondant and they return to the path of righteousness (while avoiding piety) … This is really a collection of the funniest dispatches from her first school year … it’s told with elegant precision and Nilsson has a peculiar power to make you remember exactly what it was like to be small, fierce, disempowered and six" ~ The Times

"A young mischief-maker manages to get herself out of mishaps. Six-year-old Hattie lives with her loving parents in a red house in Sweden. Their town is “far out in the middle of nowhere.” Hattie loves that she’s started school. She rides on the bus, does well, and makes friends. Each brief chapter in this gently comical novel describes various escapades Hattie gets up to, often alone, sometimes with her best pal. Readers will be intrigued by Hattie’s adventures and will note that each one offers a glimpse into her conscience and lively, persevering personality. Not coincidentally, the incidents advance Hattie’s character development, though she remains a child her age. Like most kids, Hattie can be peevish, has a playful, creative imagination, enjoys testing her limits, and doesn’t usually foresee or understand the consequences of impulsivity. Still, when events don’t conclude the way she’d hoped or planned, Hattie gets sad, angry, or annoyed with herself, learning lessons probably no grown-ups could teach better. Readers will note Hattie’s rarely scolded; however, adults are often oblivious to her activities, and she does chide herself. This fast-paced, amusing charmer, with clipped sentences that promote quick reading, is a Swedish import via New Zealand and offers interesting insight into some Nordic customs. Loose black-line illustrations add humor and suggest that all characters are white. An interview with the author appears in the backmatter. Readers will appreciate getting to know Hattie. (Fiction. 7-10)" ~ Kirkus Reviews

Written & illustrated by David Barrow

The brilliantly interactive, bestselling picture book that tickles the funny bones of both children and adults.

Elephant wants to play hide and seek. You can play too. But you’ll need to try your best—he’s VERY good! He can even hide behind a lamp, or a small tree...

A small boy and his elephant play an absurd game of hide and seek in this beautifully illustrated picture book that will have young readers shouting out loud in delight, and adults laughing too, as Elephant hides, in full view. Perhaps the little dog sees him, perhaps not.

This game-inside-a-book celebrates imaginative play and is perfect for sharing with children who will love being better at finding the elephant than the boy. Watch out for the tortoise, too…

Recommended for ages 2-6 years.

Hardcover, 32 pages.  

9.3 x 11.1 inches.

Gecko Press.

Praise

“Beyond the sheer absurdity, children will delight in details, such as the wide-screen TV the elephant holds in one scene, the child’s dad so focused on the soccer game on the screen that he asks, ‘What elephant?’ and the sly alterations to the family portraits on the rear endpapers. Younger audiences will be screaming ‘There it is!’ from the get-go.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Best of all this book will stand the test of time as there's something new to be found on every page as you reread"—The Bookbag UK

"A game of hide-and-seek is the basis of this story, but with a humorous twist. An enormous elephant and a boy with scribbly brown curls are the players. Before they begin, the elephant discloses, 'I must warn you though. I'm VERY good.' Readers will easily spot Elephant on each spread as he attempts to disguise himself behind the drapes, under a comforter on a bed, and under a lampshade. Children will revel in being able to spot the elephant while the boy searches fruitlessly. Attentive readers will notice the boy's dog sniffing the elephant out in every spread. The mixed-media illustrations work masterfully to tell the story alongside the brief text, which consists exclusively of dialogue. The dynamic backgrounds are splashed with watercolor, and the figures are given soft edges, lending a dreamy quality to the story. The impressive use of light and shadow and incorporation of reds, oranges, and purples add a richness to the pages that will transfix children. In the final pages, a new character and a funny twist will entertain kids. VERDICT This amusingly absurd story paired with the warm and wonderful illustrations will have kids coming back again and again."—starred, School Library Journal

"A small child plays hide-and-seek with a surprisingly elusive (except to viewers) elephant. 'OK. You hide,' says the child. Says the elephant: 'I must warn you though. I'm VERY good.' The dark-skinned, springy-haired, and increasingly confused-looking child fruitlessly searches house and yard for the pachyderm—who positively dominates each scene whether 'hiding' beneath curtains, under a coverlet on top of the bed, or behind a skinny tree. Applying thin color to rough-surfaced paper with splashy, Chris Raschka-style freedom, Barrow supplies the questing child with parents (a biracial couple, to judge from family portraits on the wall), legibly hand-lettered dialogue, and a small dog who has no trouble at all seeing the elephant. A tap on the shoulder brings the game to an end at last, whereupon a tortoise's invitation to a round of tag presents an easier challenge. Or does it? 'I must warn you though....' Beyond the sheer absurdity, children will delight in details, such as the wide-screen TV the elephant holds in one scene, the child's dad so focused on the soccer game on the screen that he asks, 'What elephant?' and the sly alterations to the family portraits on the rear endpapers. Younger audiences will be screaming 'There it is!' from the get-go."—starred, Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Written by Rose Lagercrantz and illustrated by Eva Eriksson; Translated by Julia Marshall

A sweet, funny illustrated chapter book about a young girl with a lot of optimism — even if sometimes life makes it hard to be happy.

Dani is probably the happiest person she knows.  She’s happy because she’s going to start school.  Dani has been waiting to go to school her whole life.  Then things get even better—she meets Ella Frida by the swings.

After that, Dani and Ella Frida do everything together.  They stick together through wet and dry, sun and rain, thick and thin.  But then something happens that Dani isn’t prepared for…

A chapter book for children ages 6 and up.

The first in the My Happy Life series

Hardcover, 136 pages.  21 x 15 cm (8.3 x 5.8").

Gecko Press.

Reviews

"A fast moving, yet empathetic journey of a young girl starting school and setting out on her first adventure of independence…Eriksson’s pictures are quaint and charming and frequent…These books will appeal to tamariki who are preparing for school (whether read to them or starting to read themselves) and those who are transitioning to chapter books. This is a space that Gecko Press operates best in."  ~ The Groove Book Report 

"This early chapter book handles difficult subjects with a gentle and optimistic touch, perfect for reassuring kids that they can make it through their own struggles." ~ A Mighty Girl

"Young readers will recognize the school setting and identify with the situations that Dani encounters there. It is refreshing that while it’s not all sunshine and perfection, it is rather positive.  The illustrations are a delight! I loved the hearts on the end papers – simple but lovely too." ~ Cassie L, Netgalley

"The subject matter and tone are deeply respectful of younger readers, their needs, concerns and experiences." ~ Book Wagon (UK)

"This is tender, empathic, empowering and thoughtful early story telling with deft and considered themes. The subject matter and tone are deeply respectful of younger readers, their needs, concerns and experiences." ~ Book Wagon (UK)

"The book’s intended readers may not realize they are reading about anything unusually prized, but they will recognize they’re on to something quite splendid. If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived." ~ New York Times (US)

"Dani is eager to start school, but as she and her father approach the building, she begins to worry.  Will she like her new teacher?  Will she feel alone?  Soon Dani and her classmate Ella become fast friends, sitting together, playing together, eating lunch together each day, and even having occasional sleepovers.  When Ella moves away, Dani is forlorn, and every other hurt is magnified by her sorrow.  Her father's gift of hamsters cheers her a bit, but it takes some time, reflection, correspondence with Ella, and a promised visit before Dani feels whole again.  Translated from the Swedish, this simply written chapter book tenderly portrays the happiness of a child whose life is in balance, as well as the colossal, unremitting, inconsolable sorrow of one who is suffering loss.  Lagercrantz mentions Dani's experiences when her mother died some years earlier, but leaves it to readers to draw the inference.  The clarity and simplicity of the writing are balanced by the verve and finesse of Eriksson's captivating illustrations.  Working beautifully with the text and usually given more space on the page, these sensitive ink drawings feature clean lines that express emotions through every character's stance, gesture, and expression.  A quietly compelling book for young readers." ~ Booklist

"Young Dani has what she considers a happy life, but she wonders if she will still be happy once she starts school.  The butterflies subside when she meets Ella, and they are soon fast friends.  When Ella moves away, Dani doesn't think she'll find happiness again, and she reflects on how unhappy she was when her mother died.  The story unfolds in short chapters, with just a few sentences per page and large, plentiful, black-and-white drawings.  The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable younger readers to feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling a lengthy chapter book.  The few characters are well developed and the everyday happenings in Dani's life feel genuine, such as friendship woes and childhood fears.  The difficult subjects are handled gracefully, allowing children to realize that happiness comes and goes, and that everyone has hardships to face." ~ School Library Journal

"To understand the true meaning and value of resilience, look no further than the 20 brief chapters of this early reader, created by two longtime Swedish collaborators and beautifully translated into spare, lyrical prose. Even at a young age, Dani has seen more than her share of heartache: the best friend she meets in chapter four moves away by chapter eight ("[Dani] wished she could move, too. But she had to stay behind"), a departure that prompts the sad revelation that Dani's mother died sometime earlier. "They said she had passed away,” writes Lagercrantz, “but how could a dead person pass anything? And away to where?" But as Eriksson's emotionally astute and often endearingly funny pencil drawings show, Dani does indeed have much to be happy about. She has a loving father and extended family, an unflappable teacher whose lesson plans form a wry running joke ("They had a fruit week and a vegetable week. They learned all about fruit and vegetables"), and—above all—an openness to reflection and new possibilities, big and small. ~ Publishers Weekly

"For young middle grade readers, a new chapter book, 'My Happy Life,' takes up the subject of resilience in such a natural and powerful way, children won't remotely feel like they're reading a manual. Instead, 'My Happy Life,' written by Rose Lagercrantz and illustrated by Eva Eriksson, is one of those joyous rarities: a book about girls who are neither infallible nor pratfall-prone, but who are instead very real — both admirable and relatable.  'My Happy Life' isn't about death but about how children process negative experiences, whether it's a friend moving away or a classroom spat that ends in a bloody mouth (not Dani's). It's about children's natural and learned resilience, the incredible bouncing back that never ceases to surprise their worn-down parents. The book's intended readers may not realize they are reading about anything unusually prized, but they will recognize they're on to something quite splendid. If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived."  ~ The New York Times Book Review

"A chapter book about childhood depression paradoxically delivers a very happy reading experience.
Dani can’t sleep the night before school starts, and with good reason. Will she like it? Will she be forced to spend all her time learning? Luckily, she makes a new best friend on Day 2. Dani and Ella sit together at lunchtime, choose each other for partners, establish the Night Club (an ambitious name for sleepovers) and even wear two halves of one heart necklace. Nothing can come between them, except, all of a sudden, “thousands of streets and roads” between Dani’s town and Ella’s new house, where she has to move with her family. Dani is no stranger to loss; her mother died when she was younger, but when she loses Ella, her happy mood succumbs to depression. New hamsters help. New friends help. But what really helps is the promise of a visit. Acclaimed Swedish writer Lagercrantz applies exactly the right amount of whimsical childhood observation and attitude to a serious exploration of a very young, broken heart. Eriksson’s pen-and-ink illustrations supply a simple yet wholly engaged context for these small, brave characters.

A sweet read for both children and their parents, who may be grateful at the reminder of emotional complexity lurking behind their children’s smiles."
--Kirkus Reviews

Prizes:

ALA Notable Children's Books — 2013 — Winner
Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year — 2014 — Winner
New York Times Notable Children's Books — 2013 — Winner
USBBY Outstanding International Books List — 2015 — Winner

by Toon Tellegen

An illustrated collection of thought-provoking stories about how anger doesn’t always have to be angry, with illustrations from Marc Boutavant.

In ten thoughtful, philosophical, absurd tales by master storyteller Toon Tellegen, the forest animals—from squirrel to scarab beetle—spend their days as friends do, with birthday parties, writing letters, visiting, dancing, or sometimes all alone.  Each day brings emotions that are always worth exploring, although not always easy, and each story reveals new layers through the expressive, touching and funny illustrations of Marc Boutavant.

This wry and nuanced illustrated storybook gently shows that anger, in all its shapes and sizes, is a natural, necessary and often misunderstood emotion.  Written by one of the greatest Dutch authors for children, this wise and gently written collection is perfect for children wanting to explore and learn more about difficult emotions and feelings, making it an ideal book to read together with family or in the classroom, for readers aged 6-12 years.

Hardcover, 82 pages.  7.4 x 11 inches.

For readers aged 6-12 years.

Gecko Press, 2021.

by David Elliot

A comical story about a very busy bath.

A comical story akin to Five Minutes' Peace about a very busy bath. Pig is having a lovely bath. In come Sheep, Cow, Horse....They are very noisy! What can Pig do to make them go away? Pig must think of something smart and quick.

Hardcover, 32 pages.  9.4 x 7.2 inches.

Recommended for children ages 2-5 years.

Gecko Press.

Reviews

An immersive learning experience with Pablo, the little chick, as he discovers the world and many firsts.

Hardcover, 32 pages.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

Written by Jörg Mühle; Translated by Catherine Chidgey

From the author of the worldwide bestseller Tickle My Ears, comes a companion, interactive boardbook about a child helping their rabbit feel better.  

Oh no, Little Rabbit has hurt his arm. And there’s blood! Can you help him? Blow gently three times, try a band-aid, a rhyme, but he’s still crying… Let’s give his ears a stroke and wipe his tears. There, all better! Off you go, Little Rabbit! 

This sweet and simple boardbook invites children to help Little Rabbit feel better after he has fallen over, by taking part in a fun activity on each page.  

Designed to be read aloud together, this fun book teaches toddlers and preschoolers about caring for someone who is hurt, showing empathy and kindness. Young children will delight in their role in putting a smile back on bunny’s face. They’ll know what to do when they fall over now too. 

A perfect first book for babies or toddlers.

Jörg Mühle was born 1973 in Frankfurt am Main and studied at the Offenbach School of Design and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Today, he lives in Frankfurt where he works as a freelance illustrator for book publishers, magazines and newspapers.

Translated by Catherine Chidgey

Board book, 20 pages.  17 x 17 cm (6.8 x 6.8 inches).

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"This brilliant board book invites a child to “help” someone else who’s hurting — which works wonders to induce a calmer state of mind. Little Rabbit has fallen down and scraped his arm, leaving a red mark. Your toddler is invited to “try blowing on it.” Uh-oh: On the next page, Little Rabbit wails, “There’s blood!” A Band-Aid (with bunnies on it, of course) appears. “Can you put it on?” comes next, but tears still stream down the distressed bunny’s face. And so on, until the bunny feels better — and, chances are, your toddler does too." ~ The New York Times

"Jorg Muhle’s “Poor Little Rabbit” is a perfectly simple, entertaining, and interactive board book for children ages 5 to 6 who love to take care of Little Rabbit. Like Jorg Muhle’s two previous board books, “Poor Little Rabbit” is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, kindergarten, and community library board book collections." ~ Midwest Book Review

"I loved that Mühle weaves interactivity into the tale, inviting kids to blow on the wound, cover it with a bandaid etc. The artwork is perfectly aimed at toddlers too." ~ the Book Chook

"This delightful book and its predecessors appeal on several levels. The interactive components are fun, and foster kindness and empathy. But most of all, I love how empowering they are for children, who help Little Rabbit through experiences and activities they themselves may find challenging." ~ Otago Daily Times

Written by Rose Lagercrantz and illustrated by Eva Eriksson; Translated by Julia Marshall

A stand-alone follow-up to the acclaimed and beloved chapter books that began with New York Times Notable Book My Happy Life.  This is the fifth in the My Happy Life series.

A chapter book recommended for ages 6 - 8 years.

Hardcover, 152 pages.  21 x 15 cm (8.3 x 5.8 inches).

Gecko Press, 2017.

Reviews

"Separated from the rest of her class during a field trip to a Stockholm zoo, Dani is thrilled to find her beloved friend Ella, whose distant school is also visiting the zoo.  After spending a mostly happy time together, both return to their own schools.  At home that evening, dinner is an uncomfortable occasion.  Dani has'’t had time to process having her father home from the hospital before he asks Sadie, his nurse and girlfriend, to join them.  With the support of extended family and friends, Dani works through a series of concerns about her father and her best friend before finding her balance again.  Providing a synopsis of this book doesn't convey the pleasure of reading it or viewing its lively, expressive ink drawings.  Each action, comment, facial expression, character flaw, or emotion is simple on its own, but it becomes part of an emotionally nuanced, richly interconnected narrative.  Best appreciated by readers of the previous four Dani books, this one delivers the warmth and human interest that characterize the series." ~ Booklist Website

Written by Barbro Lindgren and illustrated by Lisen Adbåge

Translated by Sarah Death

This classic Swedish children's novel is an absurd tale full of playful nonsense in a world where anything can happen.

Soda Pop loves bright orange clothes and wears a tea cozy on his head.  He has brought up his son Mazarin on sweet buns and love.  Grandfather Dartanyong emerges from his woodshed every morning with a new identity, and Great-grandfather has moved into a tree, eats birdseed, and thinks he is a cuckoo.

Theirs is a carefree life, untroubled by social norms.  In this tolerant world anything can happen—is the garage suddenly full of tigers?  We are not surprised.

Recommended for readers 6-8 years.

Hardcover, 112 pages.  5.7 x 7.8”.

Gecko Press.

Reviews

Author Bio

Written by Katharina von der Gathen and illustrated by Anke Kuhl.  Translated by Shelley Tanaka.

How much sex education do children need?  As much as they ask for, say the experts.  And exactly what do children want to know?  Ask them!

This book collects real questions asked by children in classes about the human body, love, and sexuality.  The answers are both direct and warmhearted, giving children the information they really want to know in a form they can relate to.  This is a book for both boys and girls that is relevant to today's conversations about sexuality.  It brings humor and lightness to help families comfortably approach this topic that many find awkward.

Recommended for ages 8-12 years old.

Hardcover, 208 pages.  19.05 x 2.54 x 14.22 cm

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

About the Author

Someone’s stealing nuts from the forest, and it’s up to Detective Gordon to catch the thief!

Unfortunately, solving this crime means standing in the snow and waiting for a long time… If only he had an assistant—someone small, fast, and clever—to help solve this terrible case. Then Detective Gordon would be able to go back to doing what he’s best at: thinking, eating cakes, drinking tea, and stamping important papers.

A brilliant detective story by Ulf Nilsson, one of Sweden’s top children’s writers and illustrated by Gitte Spee in full colour throughout.  A book to read alone or aloud!

Translated by Julia Marshall.

Hardcover, 96 pages.  5.8 x 8 inches.

Gecko Press.

Ideal for children 6-9 years old.

About the Detective Gordon series:

Detective Gordon is a friendly, philosophical, humorous, and thoughtful detective series following the adventures of the rather tired—and often hungry—Detective Gordon and his chirpy assistant, Buffy.

Detective Gordon is something of a humanist, and keeps an eye out for the weaker inhabitants of his woods. The books are full of warm, witty wisdom from one of Sweden’s foremost children’s authors, Ulf Nilsson. The text is affectionately and generously illustrated in watercolor and pencil by acclaimed Dutch illustrator, Gitte Spee. This is a detective series with depth—ideal for elementary school, perfect for reading alone, wonderful for reading aloud.

Written by Ulf Stark and illustrated by Kitty Crowther

Translated by Julia Marshall

“I hate the food here,” Grandpa said. “ They’ve taken all the joy out of it.
Not even the water tastes any good.”
“Perhaps you should run away,” I suggested.
“I did a lot of that when I was young,” he said. “I think it’s a bit late now…”
But by the time I had to leave for the bus, we’d made a plan.

Grandpa’s in the hospital and hating it.  He swears at the nurses and makes trouble for everyone.  Dad finds it too stressful to visit, but Gottfried Junior visits Grandpa as often as he’s allowed, and when he’s not allowed, he goes anyway.

Grandpa thinks only of the place he was happiest—the island where he lived with Grandma.  He wants to go back one last time, but they won’t let him out of the hospital.

Gottfried Junior and Grandpa take things into their own hands.  If running away is the only way to the island, then they’ll be runaways.

Recommended for children aged 8 - 10 years.

Hardcover, 144 pages.  8.3 x 5.8”.

Gecko Press.

Ulf Stark (1944-2017) is one of the world's great writers. He is author of more than 30 books for children and has won many prizes for his stellar work. He was shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2018.

Kitty Crowther is an Astrid Lindgren Award-winning author and illustrator based in Belgium.

Reviews

"Gottfried Junior loves visiting Grandpa in the hospital, where the patient routinely swears, spits out his pills, and yells at the staff. Soon they hatch a plan: they'll escape for an overnight in the isolated island home where Grandpa lived with Grandma before she died. The boy convinces his parents that he must attend an overnight football training camp. Actually, he springs Grandpa from the hospital. Back in his familiar home, Grandpa reconnects with his old life, feels his profound grief, and changes his outlook a bit. After returning his grandfather to the hospital, the boy intends to keep quiet about their caper. Instead, he suddenly confesses the whole escapade to his father who, ironically, scolds him for lying. A Swedish author whose picture books include When Dad Showed Me the Universe (2015) and The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits (2014), Stark writes Gottfried Junior's first-person narrative with clarity, honesty, and wit. This chapter book is blunt yet light-handed in acknowledging anger, sorrow, death, and the mystery of the afterlife. Deftly drawn and sometimes amusing, the character portrayals are utterly convincing. Expressive full-page illustrations add color to the pages while supporting the story’s tone. An unusual adventure story with a core of mutual grandfather-grandson affection." —starred, Booklist

"After Gottfried Junior's beloved, cantankerous grandfather, a former ship's engineer, suffers a bad fall, he lands in the hospital. Miserable, he asks his kindred-spirit grandson to help him briefly flee to his house in the Stockholm archipelago, where he has 'one or two things to attend to.' With remarkable attention ('you have to think of everything'), the boy sees to all the details—manufacturing an overnight football club trip, garnering meatballs from his mother, and hiring a butcher’s assistant to convey them. The plans go off without a hitch, though it takes Grandfather two hours to walk up the hill to the front door, and he largely refuses to share the final jar of his late wife's lingonberry jam ('part of her is still in it'). Autumn-hued illustrations by Crowther (Stories of the Night) juxtapose the dull hospital against glorious piney islands and a light-filled sea. Stark straightforwardly conveys family tensions, end-of-life concerns, and intergenerational adoration alongside an archipelago's worth of vivid details—the removal of paraffin wax from the jam jar, the 'wonderful smell of oil' from the ferry's engine room, potatoes steaming in their pot. Most children's books about breakouts involve a child abandoning a place; this one follows a man at the end of his life to the home he holds dear." —starred, Publishers Weekly

"A boy helps his ailing grandfather go home one last time in this Swedish import. Gottfried finds life enlivened by his feisty grandfather, who's always been 'difficult.' They are true kindred spirits. Confined now to the hospital with a broken leg and weak heart, Grandpa's 'worse than ever.' Gottfried's dad avoids hospital visits because Grandpa's naughty behavior and declining condition make him 'tired and sad.' He rejects Gottfried's plea to bring Grandpa to live with them, insisting he's 'too sick and angry and stubborn and crazy.' Pretending to be at football training, Gottfried visits Grandpa in the hospital and suggests they should run away. Lying to his parents about where he's going overnight, Gottfried surreptitiously transports Grandpa to the island house where he lived with Grandma until she died. Back home for one night, Grandpa happily reverts to his old clothes, savors Grandma's last jar of lingonberry jam, and says farewell to his old life before returning to the hospital. Gottfried's accessible, unadorned, heartfelt first-person narration reveals the depth of his bond with his grandfather as well as his insightful understanding of his father's limitations. Linear, colored-pencil drawings capture key interactions between characters and revel in Grandpa's choler. Characters are white (or, in Grandpa's case, grouchily pink). A touching, realistic, gently humorous story of how a sensitive boy copes with his treasured grandfather's decline." —starred, Kirkus Reviews

"The portrait of old age and infirmity in this Swedish import is considerably more unvarnished that we're used to in books for children. Grandpa is no lovable old codger. In the hospital with a broken leg and a failing heart, he's furious, foul-mouthed, self-centered, and abusive to the staff. Even his own son can't stand him. His only ally is his grandson, a boy with a deep-seated affection for the old man and admiration for his stubbornness. Together they plan and carry out an elaborate secret breakout, an overnight retreat to Grandpa's family home on an island. There's no Hallmark moment, but in matter-of-fact discussions of death, heaven, and 'compassionate lying,' the old man and the young boy come to a place of acceptance and peace. A single crow signifies the essence of a person; a jar of lingonberry jam is a delicate stand-in for love and loss. The plot of a child helping an old person go on the lam isn't particularly original; ditto the theme of grandparents and grandchildren in alliance against parents. But in this iteration every emotional effect is fully earned, and the final beat—in which we learn, obliquely, that Grandpa has died—is deeply affecting. Frequent full-page illustrations, in colored pencil, match the text in being simultaneously homely and honest." —The Horn Book Magazine

"Books for middle-grade readers can suffer the same affliction as all too many older-kid and grown-up books: bombastic, bloated, adverb-crammed. Sometimes an economical, minimalist book — like these three — is exactly what a youthful reader needs in this amped-up world.

Written by the beloved Swedish author Ulf Stark and generously illustrated by the Belgian artist Kitty Crowther, a winner of the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and translated from the Swedish by Julia Marshall, The Runaways (Gecko, 144 pp., $17.99; ages 6 to 11) also depicts a culture that will seem very different to most American kids. Gottfried, the protagonist, lives in such a free-range way, he makes the most independent American kid look snowplow-parented. Henkes's and Venkatraman's books feature gentle humor, but The Runaways is flat-out hilarious. And shocking. And weird.

Gottfried's grandpa is in the hospital after a fall, 'red-faced and swearing,' in a rage about being shut up like a wild animal. Gottfried, who feels closer to Grandpa than to his own disapproving, prim father, resolves to break Grandpa out for one last adventure. He concocts an elaborate plan — a fake football tournament in another town, a local baker named Ronny cast in multiple roles to fool Gottfried's father and hoodwink the hospital — to get Grandpa to the island where he used to live with Grandma. The plot works. Grandpa gets to pay a final visit to a place he loved, and claim the last jar of jam Grandma ever made. Gottfried gets to prove his competence: lighting a fire, pumping water, making dinner.

But when Gottfried's father discovers his son's deception, it forces a three-generation confrontation, raising questions of mortality and morality. Is it wrong to lie if it makes people happy? The writing is unflashy and deadpan except for when it's unflashy and musical, as when, on the journey back to the hospital, Grandpa 'sat himself up, turned his nose to the sea and said goodbye to the islands, the sky, the cliffs, the lighthouse and the eternally washing waves.' Crowther's bright, naïve pencil illustrations fit the offbeat text. They're ravishingly ugly: Grandpa is huge and pink and hideous, with black hairs sprouting from his hands and angry black lines traversing his forehead. Ronny is covered with measles-like freckles and has a golden halo.

All three of these short, tight books show tremendous respect for the young reader. For a certain kind of meditative kid, they're perfect." —The New York Times

When her father leaves to save the people from a giant who turns them to stone with his gaze, the child in the red dress is left alone.

Many days and many nights go by.  Every evening the girl says good night to herself in her mirror.  When the last light burns down, the girl takes her mirror and a knife and sets out to find her father. 

“I will save my father from the giant,” she says.

The Stone Giant is a contemporary and timeless fairytale that tells of a child who succeeds where adults cannot.

Based on a classic Swedish fairytale by Elsa Beskow, often called the Beatrix Potter of Scandinavia whose books have been read by Swedish children for over 100 years.

Hardcover.

Gecko Press.

Recommended for children 6 - 8 years old.

by Barbro Lindgren; illustrated by Eva Eriksson

Translated by Julia Marshall

A classic picture book from Sweden with a very happy ending about feeling lonely and finding friends. It is possible, after all, to have more than one friend!

There was once a tiny man. One day, at the first sign of Spring, he decided to pin a note to a tree that said FRIEND WANTED. Then he sat down on the step to wait.

After ten days, he woke to find a cold nose in his hand. Beside him was a big dog with a beautiful curve in its tail. The tiny man had made a friend at last.

They play and walk and laugh every day. But then the girl in the polka dot dress comes to the step. The little man watches as the dog put his soft muzzle into the girl’s hand and worries that he has lost his only friend.

A touching picture book that explores learning how to make and share friends, feelings of being left out and discovering group dynamics. Packed full of emotion, this hardback picture book also teaches young children about self-esteem and empathy. A perfect story to read aloud with preschoolers or for young children just starting out at reading by themself.

A much-loved classic children’s story in Sweden, this celebratory edition features new illustrations from Eva Eriksson, illustrator of the My Happy Life series. It has also been made into a successful theatre show.

Barbro Lindgren is a pioneering children’s author from Sweden. She has won many international awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Eva Eriksson is one of the best-loved illustrators in Sweden, whose awards include the Astrid Lindgren prize and the August award.

Click here to see a short look inside video of The Tale of the Tiny Man

Recommended for young readers ages 4-7 years.

Hardcover, 23 x 19.5 cm.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"A poignant ode to fidelity and the simplicity of true friendship. Its appeal relies on powerfully defined characters, the main one being a tiny man in lieu of a child which means adults sharing this story with younger readers will enjoy its relatability as much as children." ~ Dimity Powell

"Beyond being a beautiful story that is in no way didactic, this would be perfect for use in the classroom as an invitation to explore ideas such as: making friends, how to be a friend, empathy, jealousy, loneliness, and self-esteem." ~ My Kids Read the World 

"And o! The drama! The pathos! The desolation! The joy! It’s ALL THE FEELINGS. And if the children in your life ask you to read it to them over and over and then some more, don’t be surprised." ~ Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"It made me feel sadness and happiness and you pick up something of friendship and loneliness along the way too. Another winning book from Gecko Press that’s for sure." ~ Radio Southland – The Book Show

"A timeless classic that is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written over 40 years ago." ~ Outside in the World

"The prose has a delicate poetry that you find in the most satisfying of picture books. For me this would make a perfect story to read aloud, all is resolved and yet readers are left to consider the plight of those who are left out, the beauty of friendship, and to empathise with those around them." ~ Just Imagine

"Thought-provoking and evocative with atmospheric illustrations, this is a memorable picture book story of friendship, understanding and acceptance that will resonate with younger readers." ~ School Reading List

"Themes of respect for others, consideration for the elderly and friendship fill the pages of this gorgeously illustrated story." ~ Scope for Imagination

"A charming children’s story about a friendless man who looks like Mr Magoo. Eva Eriksson’s illustrations are excellent at conveying the story’s changing moods." ~ The Book Beat bookstore

"Book of the Day. Audiences will also be “pleased as punch” over the tiny man’s turn in fortunes." ~ Foreword Reviews

"A sensitive, atmospheric story depicting the fragility and rewards of friendship." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"A precious tale of a lonely man’s friendship with a dog." ~ The Listener

"This is a very emotional read, beautifully written and very delicately and softly illustrated." ~ the Kids Bookstagrammer

"This beautifully told and illustrated story looks at various emotions including empathy, loneliness and prejudice. Whether read alone or aloud, there’s much to think about and one hopes, talk about with family members and/or classmates." ~ Red Reading Hub

"The sentences are as sweet as honey, even on the gloomiest page. The illustrations are warm and alive and captivating." ~ Poetry Box

"Gently exploring social prejudice and discrimination, this emotional story will tug at the heartstrings. Featuring classic illustrations, The Tale of the Tiny Man is a sweet story about loneliness and finding the perfect friend that will resonate with readers of all ages." ~ A Word About Books

"A story parents will want to choose for read-aloud interest and for discussions about friendship, loneliness, and making connections." ~ Donovan’s Literary Services 

Written & Illustrated by Jörg Mühle  

Bear finds three tasty mushrooms on her way home through the woods.  Her friend Weasel cooks them up in the frying pan.  But the friends have a problem: how to share three between two?

Bear and Weasel each come up with one argument after another for why they should have more: I found them!  I cooked them.  I'm bigger.  I'm still growing....  Until the fox comes around the corner and snatches a mushroom.

That solved the problem.  They eat the two mushrooms and it's time for dessert.  Here comes Weasel with the scrumptious wild strawberries, three of them to share...

Recommended for young readers 4-8 years, and whatever age companion is so lucky to share this delightful story along with them.

Hardcover, 32 pages. 

7.3 x 10.3 inches.  (25.6 x 18.7 cm)

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"A brown bear finds some mushrooms in the forest and is excited to share them with her friend Weasel. After Weasel cleans, seasons, and cooks the food, the two sit down to eat their meal. The problem becomes obvious: there are two friends and three mushrooms. They each have a potentially convincing argument that the other just doesn't buy—Bear is big so she needs more to eat while Weasel is small and requires more food in order to grow. A wily fox saunters by and swiftly resolves the argument and the standoff causes Bear and Weasel to unite against the interloper. All seems to be well again between the friends until Weasel offers Bear dessert, which brings the tale to the ultimate 'Uh-oh' moment. Charming illustrations on white backgrounds reveal Weasel's open air yet cozy hoe as well as other forest residents, two of whom are quietly reading books. VERDICT Children will clearly understand and sympathize with the friends' humorous conundrum. A delightful look at sharing and the problems that can result." — School Library Journal

"Bear and Weasel learn a powerful lesson in sharing.  Walking through the woods, Bear finds three mushrooms, which she brings home for dinner. Weasel cooks them to perfection, with salt and pepper and 'a little parsley.' At the table, Bear takes two mushrooms for herself and gives one to Weasel. 'That's fair,' she says. 'I'm big. I need to eat a lot.' Weasel disagrees; he's small and is still growing. This small spat, well, mushrooms into a full-blown fight. Bear points out that she found the mushrooms, and Weasel counters that he cooked them, and to perfection. But it was Bear's recipe, and she likes mushrooms more than Weasel, who is so hungry his stomach is grumbling. Bear says that her stomach is grumbling, too. But Weasel said it first. And Bear said that she wanted the extra mushroom first. Finally, Weasel declares that they aren't friends anymore. He stabs the third mushroom with a fork, lifts it over his head, and...a fox snatches it right off the fork and eats it. There's a moment of mutual shock and anger at the fox, but then Bear and Weasel sit down and wish each other 'bon appetit.' For dessert...three juicy strawberries. Mühle's storytelling has a fine sense of comic pacing, and his cartoons are simple but effective, uncluttered and full of white space, creating cozy domesticity in the forest.

This funny friendship fable hits the spot." — Kirkus Reviews 

"Two hungry friends find themselves at loggerheads in this fablelike story about fairness. When Bear finds three forest mushrooms, Weasel cooks them up ('with a little parsley') in a well-equipped forest home. But when Bear dishes up, she calls dibs on the third mushroom: 'That's fair. I'm big, so I need to eat a lot,' Bear says. 'I'm small, and I still have to grow,' Weasel counters. As both friends make their cases ('I found the mushrooms'; 'I... simmered them in the heavy pan. With parsley!'), reasonable debate soon escalates into full-blown argument. Just when it seems they're at an impasse, a sly passerby swipes the extra portion, uniting the two against a shared enemy: 'The cheek of it,' they holler, 'totally unfair!' In colored pencil and wash, Mühle crafts homey forest scenes that are one of the book's delights: tree branches serve as hooks, the kitchen bursts with pleasing jars, and Weasel sits in what appears to be a Stokke Tripp Trapp chair. A final spread features Weasel pulling out a bowl with three strawberries, leaving the reader to guess whether the friends will find new ways to argue over dessert. Sharing is well-trodden territory, but Mühle's take is full of woodsy charm." — Publishers Weekly

Written by Antje Damm.  Translated by Sally-Ann Spencer.

A warm and surprising picture book for children about waiting for a friend.

Recommended by the publisher for Ages 3 - 5 years.  We ourselves find it lovely for even grade school children or adults.  A timeless, universally touching book.

Hardcover, 32 pages.  10 x 7.8 inches.

Gecko Press, 2017.

About the Author:

Antje Damm is a celebrated children's writer and illustrator who lives in Germany. Her book Ask Me! has been translated into twelve languages and sold more than 170,0000 copies around the world.

Written by Rose Lagercrantz and illustrated by Eva Eriksson; Translated by Julia Marshall

What do you do if your best friend lives in another city and the adults can't keep their promises about when you'll see her?  You have to sort it out for yourself!

Dani's father is away and Dani is staying with her grandparents.  When she is invited to Ella's party, she thinks of the world's best gift for the world's best friend: she, Dani, will be the present!  Her grandmother agrees—if she's brave enough to take the train alone.  So Dani sets out on a journey all by herself.

A chapter book for children ages 6 and up.  Particularly recommended for ages 6 - 8 years. 

The 6th in the My Happy Life series

Hardcover, 196 pages.  21 x 15 cm (8.3 x 5.8").

Gecko Press, 2019.

Reviews

"This, the sixth volume in a series of early chapter books featuring Dani and her friend Ella (My Happy Life, rev. 7/13, and sequels), confidently assumes an audience of loyal readers with a chatty opening phrase, 'Here is some more about Dani . . .' This confidence is well placed. Once you've met these sturdy Swedish girls, you want to check in with them regularly. A bit of tidy backstory reminds readers that Dani's mother died when Dani was of daycare age and that she occasionally goes to live with her grandparents when her father (who periodically 'got sad') isn't up to caring for her. During one such interval, Dani and her grandma cook up a plan for Dani to travel by train, all by herself, to visit Ella in a neighboring town. Disaster strikes when, despite careful planning, there's nobody to meet Dani at journey's end, and, stranded in the railway waiting room, she encounters bullies who steal her cellphone. Intertwining with the main plot is a subplot involving her father's ex-girlfriend, Sadie. All of this adds up to far more than the sum of its parts, with gentle humor and deep strains of resilience and kindness. Both writer and illustrator treat Dani with total respect throughout her distress and confusion. Adults are realistically flawed, and things don't necessarily work out (although, after several honest conversations Dani has had with both Dad and Said, there is some hope that they might), but all characters are portrayed with compassion and understanding. This series just gets better and better." ~ The Horn Book Magazine

"In the sixth installment of this Swedish chapter book series, Dani takes a train trip by herself. It doesn't go as planned.  Dani is spending winter break at her grandparents' house because her father, Gianni, has become sad again and has decided to go to Rome (where he is from) without her to 'think about his life.' A gloomy Dani is trying to decide what to do on break when she comes up with a brilliant idea—her best friend Ella's birthday is near, and she, Dani, will surprise visit her! But Ella lives in Northbrook, and Dani does not. Not a problem for positive-thinking Dani. She simply instructs her grandmother to drive her. But her grandmother says she is having her bridge friends' dinner, and besides, the car is being serviced. Seeing Dani's disappointment, she asks if Dani is brave enough to take the train on her own. Dani is hesitant but decides that for Ella, she will do it—and she does, but things go awry. Writing with exceptional insight and humor, author Lagercrantz develops Dani's emotional maturity in this story, giving her a growing awareness of both life's complexity and adult fallibility, all the while maintaining Dani's bone-deep optimism. Illustrator Eriksson's lively black-and-white drawings add lovely empathy and show everyone's skin as the white of the paper.  Nearly the best one yet, and that's saying something." ~ starred, Kirkus Reviews

"Sad for an unknown reason, Dani's father visits his family in Italy, leaving his daughter with Grandma and Grandpa. They allow her to take her first independent railway ride, which ends in distress when no one meets her train. Unsure where to turn, she calls Dad's girlfriend for help and discovers an unhappy secret. In the sixth beginning chapter book from the Dani series, originally published in Sweden, Lagercrantz beautifully portrays the characters' shifting emotions. Eriksson's lively ink drawings illustrate the story with empathy. While there's no real cliff-hanger at the book's end, readers will be eager to find out what happens next in Dani's world." ~ Booklist

Written & Illustrated by Leo Timmers.  Translated by James Brown.

The king can’t sleep until the dragon is found. Luckily, the three knights know everything about dragons and are armed to the teeth!  Now they just have to find him.  They set out into the night with a candle in hand.  Soon they find something that looks very much like a dragon … Attack!

The funny rhyming text is by James Brown, an award-winning poet and translator of Gus’s Garage.

Recommended for children ages 4-6 years.

Hardcover, 40 pages.  9 x 11 inches.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"Part Monty Python, part bedtime story, and entirely ingenious, Where is the Dragon? will become a quick favorite for fun, madcap and imagination-filled daytime or nighttime story times at home, in the classroom, and for public library collections." ~ Celebrate Picture Books

"With a rhyming storyline underscored by hilarious illustrations, this picture book begs to be read aloud." ~ Kit on Lit  

Written by Megumi Iwasa and illustrated by Jun Takabatake; Translated by Cathy Hirano

by Catharina Valckx

Achille LeBlab, special correspondent, knocks at Zanzibar’s door.  He wants to write an article about an exceptional character.  Is Zanzibar exceptional?

The lizard seems to doubt it.  “Aside from your poetic name, I’m afraid you’re a very ordinary crow.”

That night Zanzibar decides: “I haven’t done anything remarkable yet, but it’s never too late!”  He comes up with an idea for an incredible feat.  First he must find a camel...

An uplifting, warmhearted early chapter book about a crow, who proves you can move mountains (or even dromedaries) and perform truly heroic deeds if you believe in yourself.  And that the acclaims of others isn't necessarily the reward in the end.

Recommended for young readers ages 6-9 years. 

Hardcover, 72 pages.  5.8 x 8.0 inches.

Gecko Press.

Reviews:

"When Achille LeBlab, a reporter/lizard who works at the local newspaper stops by Zanzibar's house looking for an incredible story, the crow questions if there is anything that makes him truly special. He makes fantastic omelets, but that just isn't incredible enough for Achille. Then Zanzibar has an idea: he will go to the desert and lift a camel with just a single wing. Along the way, Zanzibar makes some new friends and realizes that the fame of being in the newspaper may not be as important as he once thought. Valckx's story, which is translated from French, is a tale about finding oneself while trying to achieve goals. Two-tone orange and black illustrations throughout are reminiscent of those found in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows or Arnold Lobel's 'Frog and Toad' books. While the book is short and at a general level that is perfect for young readers, some of the vocabulary is complex and may need to be read with adult assistance. VERDICT: A sweet and quick read ... to enhance most collections." — School Library Journal 

"Animals explore what it means to be remarkable in this earnest, mellow story.  Zanzibar the crow enjoys mushroom omelets, singing (poorly), and spending time with friends. An unexpected knock on the door from a reporter, lizard Achille LeBlab, changes Zanzibar's course of action when he is forced to confront his humdrum life. After comparing himself to other creatures who can sing, play chess, and dive from great heights, Zanzibar vows to take action and complete a venture worth a write-up in the local newspaper, The Voice of the Forest. To impress LeBlab, Zanzibar sets out on an exceptional journey, heading south on the advice of a sea gull. He meets a fennec fox and a dromedary who coach him through temporary discouragement and celebrate with him when he reaches his goal (to lift the dromedary 'with a single wing'). Supportive and thoughtful models of friendship shine in this story, and unexpected vocabulary choices will engage readers. Valckx's tricolor sketches have a charming vintage feel. However, many adult readers won't be able to ignore the imagery of a black crow paired inexplicably with an African name, which has problematic historical connotations in the United States if not in France, where this book was first published.  This story about finding the extraordinary in everyone gives readers something to crow about."—Kirkus Reviews