A trio of perfect picture books from Child's Play coming soon to a bookstore near you!

First is "Yokki and the Parno Gry" by Richard O'Neill, Katherine Quarmby and Marieke Nelissen. A traditional Romani folk tale is brought to stunning life in this engaging children's picture book. 

A traveller family experience the highs and lows of life on the road along with Yokki, a young boy set to change their fortunes forever. Every night he tells tales of an amazing and magical white horse, a mythical creature that bestows good fortune on those who need it most, arriving in their darkest hour. As the family's travels continue, Yokki regales them with fantastical stories but can there really be a whiff of truth to Yokki's tales? As their fortunes change, Yokki's stories are needed more than ever. Will the Parno Gry really come to save them from despair?

This is a hugely original and engaging story introducing characters and stories from other cultures in an engaging and delightful way. "Yokki and the Parno Gry" is published by Child's Play on 1st August 2016.

Sticking with traditional tales, here's another to dazzle and delight...

Once again by Richard O'Neill and Katherine Quarmby, and this time illustrated by Hannah Tolson, meet "Ossiri and the Bala Mengro", an original tale of mystery, music and monsters. Young Ossiri creates a flute from a piece of willow and a stack of recycled objects, but it sounds truly awful! None of her family can stand the noise so Ossiri is banished to practice her tuneless musical skills a long way off from their camp. Ignoring warnings about the ogre that lives in the hills, Ossiri unwittingly awakens the huge and fearsome beast! Oh no!

Amazingly, the Ogre wants her to continue playing and soon they form a beautiful friendship signalling a change in Ossiri's fortunes as Ossiri and the Bala Mengro discover the delights and joys of music and dance. The Bala Mengro shares his fortune with Ossiri but avaricious eyes plan to steal her instrument and grab some of that good fortune to boot! Will the dastardly plans of a stranger see Ossiri left without her treasured musical instrument and her new found friend?

A truly stunning and immersive story that's sure to win you over. "Ossiri and the Bala Mengro" is also released by Child's Play on 1st August 2016. 

Our final book in our Child's Play roundup is actually our favourite of the three, but we're suckers for utterly cute animals. 

In "Mayday Mouse" by Sebastian Braun, a tiny sailor mouse sets sail on the ocean deep in her adorable little craft. Made from a cocktail stick, half a walnut shell and a hankie for a sail, Captain Mouse sets off on a mission to deliver a delicious gift to her adoring brother. 

Captain Mouse heeds the warnings about the choppy waves and harsh winds, and all too soon finds herself marooned on a tiny spit of sand, the waves lapping at her heels. 

But thankfully Captain Mouse has some truly awesome friends who leap to her aid, bringing her all the materials she'll need to build another boat and finish her ocean-going quest to find her brother. 

We loved this book so much that it inspired us to make our own little cork boat like Captain Mouse's - so maybe that's something you'd love to try for yourself too! "Mayday Mouse" was released on 8th June 2016 from Child's Play.