Our Picture Book of the Week this week is a truly special book.

Grief and depression aren't something that you see dealt with in children's books - yet there's an increasing need to do just that.

In the superb "Felix After the Rain" by Dunja Jogan, translated by Olivia Hellewell, the book begins with a young lad who carries around a huge heavy black briefcase. What's inside?

No one really knows - but Felix has carried it ever since his Grandma died. The case is heavy, and poor Felix never seems to feel happy any more.

But a chance meeting atop a hill shows Felix that sometimes it takes help from others to finally see the light. A young boy opens the case, and all the things inside - all the pent-up bad feelings and sadness - all escape.

Felix feels so much better - and begins to see the world in an entirely different way. Happiness breaks through the clouds for the first time and Felix can't wait to share his happiness with others, paying it forward.

A simple enough story, but so effectively woven with beautiful illustrations and a superb translation.

Sum this book up in a sentence: A hugely important book for kids who may be experiencing depression, sadness or grief at the loss of a loved one.

"Felix Afer the Rain" by Dunja Jogan and Olivia Hellewell is out now, published by Tiny Owl Publishing (kindly supplied for review)

There's something completely intoxicating and addictive about "Grobblechops" by Elizabeth Laird and Jenny Lucander, the latest in the "Tales from Rumi" series from innovative publishers Tiny Owl.

Children's fears are rather darkly and deliciously discussed in the story of Amir who is convinced that there's something gross and monstrous living under his bed.

What's more, Amir believes the monster wants to eat him all up - so struggles to settle at night (well, you would if you thought you were going to end up living in a monster's tummy, right?)

After reassurance from Dad, Amir realises that even monsters might have mums and dads, and perhaps if he attempts to befriend the beast, and invites the monster and its parents over, everyone can settle down and get to know each other better.

Perhaps even become friends?

There's a rather nice feel to this, expertly rewoven as a tale by Elizabeth but with more than a few surprises - and then of course there's Jenny's glorious artwork throughout. I love how the story accurately depicts the reasoning processes of kids when they worry about what happens when it's time for bed and the light is switched off.

The perfect book to share with kids who have their own pent-up worries and anxieties, whether they believe monsters are under their beds or not.

Sum this book up in a sentence: A delicious, dark and atmospheric take on a 13th Century Rumi tale with that instant feeling of immersion and being drawn into a tale with an oft-covered yet vital message to impart.

"Grobblechops" by Elizabeth Laird and Jenny Lucander is out on 7th February 2019, published by Tiny Owl (kindly provided for review). 

Today we're highlighting a recent release, and an upcoming title from awesome publishers Tiny Owl...

Here's a fantastic new title from Tiny Owl, expanding their repertoire of bringing amazing world stories to us by digging into the origins of tales we may already be familiar with...

Here's a fantastic poetry anthology that will really appeal to pooch lovers who can't resist a shiny nose and wagging tail...

Tattoos - Love them or hate them, if you've ever had one you'll know that you really, REALLY have to suffer for your art...

Find your feet, feel the beat. It's time to embrace the rhythm of "The Drum" by Ken Wilson-Max and Catell Ronca...

Here's a glorious little book that readies brothers and sisters for the imminent arrival of a new baby in fine style...

Today is a big release day for Tiny Owl Publishing, champions of fantastic diverse stories from around the world.

Their new collection for 2017 truly does have something for everyone so we'll dip into our book bag and take a closer look.

"When I Coloured In The World" is a brilliant little story about a little girl who is gifted some amazing crayons, and sets about using them to change good things into bad.

Her lyrical descriptions of each colour - and what she will use it for - are scintillating and lovely. She turns drought into rain, sadness into hope and deftly weaves a colourful journey as she goes.

We read this one out loud - particularly enjoying the simple central theme but also the gorgeous exploration of colour and turning bad things around into good.

"When I coloured In The World" by Ahmadreza Ahmadi and Ehsan Abdollahi is released today by Tiny Owl. 

Next in our book bag, a gorgeous modern fable...

"The Elephant's Umbrella" is a short but sweet book all about a happy elephant who owns the most amazing colourful umbrella.

One day during a storm, the umbrella is whipped away by the wind - landing near a leopard who wants the umbrella all to himself. But the umbrella doesn't like leopard's way of living and his ideas of what he'd use the umbrella for.

Whipped away again, the umbrella lands near bear - whose ideas are probably even worse than leopard's!

Umbrella soon begins to miss her old friend - will the wind return her to her rightful owner one day?

Beautifully written and illustrated, a gorgeous moral tale that will keep little ones entertained.

"The Elephant's Umbrella" by Laleh Jaffari and Ali Khodai is released today, published by Tiny Owl. 

Next, a fab fishy tale...

"The Little Black Fish" by Samad Behrangi tells the story of an inquisitive little fishy fellow. Little Black Fish may be small, but he has big questions and a determination to find answers to them.

While his fellow fish are too scared to do anything different from their set routine, Little Black Fish swims over the edge of the pool, into the stream and river which will show him much more of the world.

He meets wonders and adventures, dangers and beauty. He makes it all the way to the sea, and finds his answers. The little fish's story is passed down to a new generation who will hopefully be inspired by his curiosity and joie de vivre.

"The Little Black Fish" by Samad Behrangi is out today, published by Tiny Owl. 

Phew, room for one more? I think so!

Last but not least it's "The Clever Mouse" by Anahita Teymorian. The story of a mouse who is indeed clever, but also a bit too big for his (tiny) boots.

Clever mouse always believes his way is the right way, but a bit of realising his own foolishness teaches him what he needs to learn in order to become wise and happy.

A mousy love story that shows how kindness is more important than beauty, and that sometimes a good dose of humility goes a very long way.

"The Clever Mouse" by Anahita Teymorian is also released today, published by Tiny Owl. 

A truly brilliant range of fantastic titles, visit the Tiny Owl website for more exciting and diverse children's stories from a publisher who really knows how to stand out from the crowd.

(All books kindly sent for review).

We're always delighted to see new titles from diverse publishers Tiny Owl, who have a knack for searching out the most amazing stories in the world and whirling them up into fantastic books.

We've been taking a look at two new titles in their Autumn catalogue, each stunningly original and beautifully presented.

Starting off with Bijan and Manije by Ali Seidabadi with English translation by Azita Rassi and illustrations by Marjan Vafaian, it's a stunning version of a story taken from the 10th Century Persian chronicles of Shanahmeh by poet Ferdowsi.

The story of Bijan begins when by chance he meets the daughter of his sworn enemy. Against all odds, they fall in love and refuse to abandon each other, even under duress. Can Iran’s greatest knight, Rostam, help save the day and bring warring nations to peace?

Shanahmeh (The Book of Kings) was traditionally the base of Pardekhani, a type of storytelling for the public where illustrations were made on large canvases and a narrator read the poems to the audience in coffeehouses and streets. In storybook form it's equally stunning, with beautiful full colour artwork throughout.

"Bijan and Manije" is published by Tiny Owl and is available now.

Also from Tiny Owl is Pippa Goodhart's "A Bottle of Happiness", with illustrations by Ehsan Abdollahi.

The story is a fabulous modern fable that goes full circle as it explores the value of possessions against values of friendship and fun.

There was once a big mountain. The people on one side were rich and worked only in order to get even richer. The people on the other side of the mountain were poor in possessions but had a wealth of stories and laughter.