Michael Foreman, Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish

Puffin, 9780140552607 | Suggested age range: 6-7

Published ahead of its time, the conservation message of this book is now highly topical. Man looks at a distant star and thinks it seems a lot more attractive than the Earth he is about to leave. But why is the Earth unattractive? Because Man has spoilt it. Built over and rubbish strewn, it is a mess. Man can only return if he promises to clear up the mess and share the Earth in future. Brilliant illustrations convey an important message without preaching.

Michael Foreman, Mia's Story

Walker Books, 9781406305333 / 9781844282784 | Suggested age range: 6-7

Subtitled 'A Sketchbook of Hopes & Dreams', this looks below the surface of how people live and discovers the warmth and courage often hiding underneath hardship. Mia's home is a huddle of shacks perching on inhospitable terrain somewhere between the city and the mountains. Everything is makeshift and ramshackle; but Mia's life is full of small excitements, daily surprises and, above all, the amazing future Mia creates for herself by growing flowers. This is both a beautiful picture book and a moving and thoughtful insight into the lives of others.

Michael Foreman, Seal Surfer

Andersen Press, 9781842705780 | Suggested age range: 6-7

This is a lyrical story beautifully illustrated with pictures that capture the watery Cornish landscape. It tells of the growing relationship between a boy and the seal he watches from the moment of its birth. Through the spring and summer, the boy observes the seal pup grow from his vantage point on the rocks. In winter he fears for its safety but when spring returns, the seal cub reappears. Together the boy and his seal friends surf the roaring waves. Only clues in the pictures show that the boy walks with crutches.

Nicola Davies (Illus. Michael Foreman), White Owl, Barn Owl

Walker Books, 9780744570144 | Suggested age range: 3-5

A little girl gets close to a beautiful, snowy white barn owl when her grandfather builds a nesting box high in the old oak tree. Sitting quietly, she watches as the owl swoops in and out of the box in the night, dives down to catch its prey, and even raises a family in the box. The illustrations catch the night-time magic of the lyrical but factual story, which is enhanced by additional nuggets of information.