Toht, Patricia – The Bell Bookshop

Friends at Play

Emma — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Join Vicky and June – the very best of friends – as they play, chat and laugh together in this first book in a charming new chapter book series from beloved author Patricia Toht.

Vicky the squirrel likes games that are loud and fast, like follow the leader (and she’s always the leader). June the hedgehog prefers to read, or play quiet games like hide and seek. But Vicky thinks June is a little too good at hiding!

Vicky and June like different things, but they are best friends, and best friends can always find something they both enjoy.

Written by beloved picture book writer Patricia Toht, author of Pick a Pine Tree, and brought to life with artwork from rising star Hoang Giang, Vicky and June’s beautifully illustrated adventures are full of warmth, humour and sweet, treasured moments. Join these best friends as they explore their cosy woodland world across four charming chapters in the first book in this brand-new series.

Perfect to read aloud together, or for children who are just starting to read by themselves.

Together with you

Emma — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

I slide my hand into the crook of your arm, as you open your big brolly wide. We both can stay dry when the spring showers fall, if we dash through the drops, side by side…
As spring turns to summer, and autumn turns to winter, we follow a little boy and his grandmother as they take delight in everything the changing seasons have to offer – from jumping in puddles, to tasting sweet ice lollies, to nestling under blankets on a cold, snowy night. But no matter the weather, whatever they do, their joy is in being together, in the small – but momentous – adventures that they share.

With vivid illustrations and read-aloud words, this is a tender celebration of grandparent love from the duo behind the bestselling and acclaimed Pick a Pine Tree and Pick a Pumpkin.

Pick a perfect egg

Emma — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Pick a perfect egg with care – choose a white one nestled there. Lay in cartons, row by row. Pay the farmer. Off you go!
There’s excitement in the air as a little girl and her mother carefully collect speckled eggs at the farm. These are no ordinary eggs – they will be dyed, decorated, bejeweled and nestled in a basket. And then, when Sunday morning arrives, the little girl will wear her best bunny ears and head out to meet friends and neighbours. It’s time to search for eggs of a different kind, filled with chocolate, toys and sweeties… It’s time for a spectacular, springtime egg hunt!

This happy and gloriously illustrated Easter read-aloud captures all the excitement of the season, and is from the creators of the perennially popular Pick a Pine Tree and Pick a Pumpkin.

Together With You

Emma — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

I slide my hand into the crook of your arm, as you open your big brolly wide. We both can stay dry when the spring showers fall, if we dash through the drops, side by side…

As spring turns to summer, and autumn turns to winter, we follow a little boy and his grandmother as they take delight in everything the changing seasons have to offer – from jumping in puddles, to tasting sweet ice lollies, to nestling under blankets on a cold, snowy night. But no matter the weather, whatever they do, their joy is in being together, in the small – but momentous – adventures that they share.

With vivid illustrations and read-aloud words, this is a tender celebration of grandparent love from the duo behind the bestselling and acclaimed Pick a Pine Tree and Pick a Pumpkin.

Pick A Pine Tree

Emma — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Pick a pine tree from the lot – slim and tall, or short and squat! Long straight limbs or branches bent… Mmm! Just smell that piney scent!

From the winner of the V&A Best Illustrated Book 2017

From Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth creator, Jarvis, and author Patricia Toht, comes a beautiful, irresistible Christmas gift book that all begins with ? picking a pine tree! Brimming over with the excitement of being with family at the festive season, a gorgeously rhythmical, read-aloud narrative accompanied by warm, joyful art celebrates all the familiar rituals of decorating the tree – from digging out jam-packed boxes of trimmings, stringing tinsel, to, at last, turning on those twinkly fairy lights.