The Anna Doherty Gift Guide
⟡˙⋆Shameless advertising of my own books!⋆˙⟡
Hello friends,
How are you? Hope you’re well and happy and having a cosy day so far.
As it’s the season of presents, I’m here to throw my hat into the ring of what you should gift the little ones in your life with a selection of some of my books.
So, thank you for indulging me, let’s begin. (My age ranges are based on publisher recommendations - but every kid is different! - and I have just picked a selection, find all of my books on my website here!)
Babies and Toddlers
Little Brown Bunny wants a cuddle from his mummy. But where is she?
Take a peep under the flaps and meet a host of adorable animals along the way!
This charming board book features sturdy peep-through flaps and chunky pages for little hands to explore.
Who for? Perfect for new parents!
Duckling is looking for somewhere to sleep, but Fox’s den is too muddy and Owl’s nest is too high up .
This charming board book features sturdy peep-through flaps and chunky pages for little hands to explore.
With gentle, reassuring text, this is the perfect story for teaching little ones about animal habitats as well as getting them ready for bed!
Who for? Excellent for wee ones who are just learning to use their hands!
3-6 years
Poor Jaguar is feeling lonely until little ladybird says that they should play together. Why? Because they both have spots of course! Lots of the other animals have spots too, like Snake and Rockhopper! ‘Let’s make a dotsy club!’, says Ladybird. But Zebra wants to join too, and he’s stripy – it’ll have to be a pattern club! But what about poor old monkey – he doesn’t have any pattern! Maybe they will create a club they can all belong to!
This fun, bouncy story encourages children to believe in themselves, and think about what’s on the inside, rather than physical attributes.
Who for? Fun for littlies with lots of energy and hobbies, or who are starting a new nursery or school.
Bird and Frog find a strawberry. There’s only one strawberry and the two of them… Surely “the best” animal gets to eat the fruit?
Soon Rat, Shrew, Squirrel, and others join them in a competition to find “the best” and win the prize. The animals have fun playing together, but as they reach the finish line, it’s time to see who gets the reward. The animals find there is a lesson for all of them about being “best friends”.
Who for? Great for little siblings - learn that everyone is good at different things!
5-8 years
Written in rhyme, A Steminist Force celebrates female contributions in STEM fields across the world and throughout history. From mathematicians to meteorologists, from architects to astronauts, this book celebrates pioneering women’s contributions to STEM fields across the world.
With backmatter detailing each woman’s individual contributions to her field, this colourful picture book is the perfect classroom or living room tool to introduce children to remarkable women in STEM history and to encourage girls to continue exploring STEM subjects in their own education.
Who for? Fab for young scientists, kids interested in history, or as an introduction to pioneering women in science/jobs in science, technology, arts, engineering and maths!
It’s never too early to ask yourself, “What will I be when I grow up?” But the reality is that many fields do not represent the wonderful diversity of our world. Helping children of all genders, races, and abilities to see themselves in a variety of professions, What Will I Be From A to Z is an introduction to STEAM fields from astronaut to zoologist. With simple rhyming text and colorful illustration comes an invitation to dream big and follow your passion.
Who for? Perfect for kids curious about their future or what grown ups do all day! An introduction to different careers they might not come across every day.
7-10 years
The Fantastically Feminist (and Totally True) Story of the Astonishing Authors The Brontës
Meet the incredible Brontë family - Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell Brontë are no ordinary children. Growing up on the wild, lonely moors of Yorkshire, they have nothing to entertain them but their imaginations and each other. So they invent extraordinary imaginary worlds, full of wars and love stories, soldiers, heroes and villains, ruled over by powerful women. As they grow up, the Brontës discover that the real world isn’t such a great place to be a girl. But they are so determined that their voices be heard, they overcome almost unbeatable odds to be bestselling authors.
Who for? Kiddos interested in history or writing!
The Fantastically Feminist (and Totally True) Story of the Astounding Actor and Activist Emma Watson
Meet the amazing Emma Watson: fantastically feminist, incredibly inspiring and astonishing actor and activist. The young Emma is clever, enthusiastic and at age nine, starts acting. She inspires millions with her portrayal of the much-loved Hermione but it isn’t long until Emma shows she is just as smart, brave and determined in real life. She finds a passion for feminism and works to stand up for fairness and equality, becoming an inspiring force for girl power.
This is the absolutely astonishing, fantastically feminist and, best of all, totally true story of one amazingly determined young woman.
Who for? Little ones who want to make changes in the world!
9+ years
Books can be so powerful, helping us through tricky times, offering us wisdom we haven’t learnt yet, showing us that there are people like us, or showing us the opposite, that other people live very different lives. Books can be a friend when you need one the most and you can use them to help and inspire others, too.
Big Ideas from Literature helps the child discover key ideas that lots of different books are trying to teach through the stories they tell – and helps the growing child develop empathy and resilience.
This book teaches children (and adults!) about the history of literature, from the first ever story that was written down to the invention of books just for children. The best children’s books become our dearest friends and companions. Readers learn how stories can help them better understand the world around them.
Who for? Perfect for little book worms!
Science is all around us, helping to explain the ideas that matter in our life. By asking questions about how things work, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.
Big Ideas from Science introduces children to some of the most influential scientists throughout history, and the amazing scientific breakthroughs that have changed the way we live – from the discovery of bronze to the invention of the microscope. With engaging facts and playful illustrations, children are encouraged to follow their innate curiosity, to look at the world in different ways and to try and make sense of it.
The book shows us how science not only helps us invent incredible new technology, understand the structure of atoms or reach the moon, but can also help us with some of the most important questions in our lives: how can I become a wiser person, a better friend and a kinder, more compassionate human?
Who for? Excellent for science-leaning kiddos who are always asking “why?”
Children are, in many ways, born philosophers.
Without prompting, they ask some of the largest questions about time, mortality, happiness and the meaning of it all. Yet too often this inborn curiosity is not developed and, with age, the questions fall away. This is a book designed to harness children’s spontaneous philosophical instinct and to develop it through introductions to some of the most vibrant and essential philosophical ideas of history. The book takes us to meet leading figures of philosophy from around the world and from all eras - and shows us how their ideas continue to matter.
The book functions as an ideal introduction to philosophy, as well as a charming way to open up conversations between adults and children about the biggest questions we all face.
Who for? Children with natural curiosity, and who are interested in big topics!
An engaging, alternative history of the world for children, which helps to make sense of today.
The present can loom very large in a child’s mind: all the crises and challenges of the modern world can feel overwhelming and at times dispiriting. This book is a big history of the world, from the beginnings of the universe to now, which places the reader at its centre. It encourages them to think about how and why they experience the world as they do and offers a helpful perspective by placing their thoughts and feelings in the context of our history and evolution.
Big Ideas From History is an immense story of what has happened through time that speaks personally and constructively to a growing mind. What might the dinosaurs or the ancient Egyptians, the Aztec warriors or the Enlightenment thinkers of the 18th century tell us that could be interesting and useful to hear now? The insights we need are scattered in time and place, waiting to be discovered.
Who for? Great for curious kids interested in the past and facts.
Ok, that’s all from me. Have a snowy day!
Hugs, Anna x