Hawthorne, Lara – The Bell Bookshop

Ratty’s big adventure

Emma — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ratty, an ENORMOUS woolly, vegetarian rat, lives deep inside the crater of an ancient volcano nestled in the rainforest. One day, he spies a delicious-looking fruit high in the treetops, and sets out to reach it. From this vantage point a spectacular view stretches before him – the world outside his mountain crater.

In this big outside world, Ratty imagines, the fruit must be much sweeter, the bird songs more beautiful and the other animals far more interesting and sophisticated, and so he sets off in search of better things. But when he is asked to attend a dinner party by a crocodile who seems just a bit too friendly, Ratty realises that perhaps there is no place like home after all.

Inspired by the scientific breakthroughs of Mount Bosavi, Papua New Guinea in which over 40 new species of animals and plants were identified, Lara Hawthorne seamlessly combines story and fact in this picture book which celebrates the diversity of life, and being thankful for what you have!

Silent night

Emma — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

‘A standout among books to share on Christmas Eve.’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘The Christmas Choir series launches with this reverent and accessible adaptation of a favorite carol.’ – Publishers Weekly

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with this beautifully illustrated book, based on the world’s best-loved carol. Rediscover the Nativity Story in all its glory – from quaking shepherds to heaven-sent angels – as the song lyrics are brought to life on every spread. The world’s diversity is reflected in a cast of characters with a range of skin tones. A gorgeous book for all the family to share during the festive season.

Part of ‘The Christmas Choir’, a series of festive, lovingly illustrated lyric books. See also The Twelve Days of Christmas??.

The Animals of the Volcano

Emma — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

In this beautifully illustrated picture book from Lara Hawthorne, a mysterious creature from a secluded volcano crater explores the outside world for the very first time . . . but is it not what he expects it to be! Will his adventure teach him there is no place like home?Ratty, an ENORMOUS wooly, vegetarian rat, lives deep inside the crater of an ancient volcano nestled in the rainforest. One day, he spies a particularly delicious-looking fruit high in the treetops, and sets out to reach it. From this high vantage point a spectacular view stretches before him – the world outside his mountain crater. In this big outside world, Ratty imagines, the fruit must be much sweeter, the bird songs more beautiful and the other animals far more interesting and sophisticated, and so he sets off in search of better things. But when is he is asked to attend a dinner party by a crocodile who seems just a bit too friendly, Ratty realises that perhaps there is no place like home after all.Inspired by the recent scientific breakthroughs of Mount Bosavi, in which over 40 new species of animals and plants were identified, Lara Hawthorne seamlessly combines story and fact in this picture book which celebrates the diversity of life, and being thankful for what you have!For fans of the BBC’s The Lost Land of the Volcano, with insights from entomologist Dr George McGavin, who was part of the original expedition team.

Alba The Hundred Year Old Fish

Emma — Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Alba the fish has spent her entire life collecting precious objects that drift down to the ocean floor. From delicate shells to brightly coloured coral, each year on her birthday she gathers one more precious item. But over the years, Alba notices her collection is losing its sparkle and that the world is changing. What are these bits of plastic and metal? As the coral reef fades, Alba decides to leave her home behind. Can an old fish teach the world how to bring colour back to the ocean?The One-Hundred-Year-Old Fish gently highlights the issue of pollution. A beautifully illustrated picture book from exciting new talent Lara Hawthorne.