Gecko Press

Hurrah for a shortlisting for Omnibird by ✨ ✨ 🦆 🐦‍⬛ 🦜 🦅

BREEZY! The Fluffy Futon by Yuichi Kasano in Publishers Weekly:

Yawning circulates contagiously among characters who encounter a “fluffy futon” in this breezy picture book from Kasano that recalls The Napping House. After Grandma spreads a futon mattress on the front porch for airing, a feline promptly plops itself down with a “Yw-aahhn.” Grandma, who, like the other human character, reads as Japanese, soon follows suit with a big yawn of her own: “Ploff! Down she went too on the fluffy futon.” The pattern continues with onomatopoeic textual echoes as a variety of farm animals, as well as a boy and his dog, experience a similar pull. Eventually, the whole rangy crew are all tangled up on the cushy surface, their snores filling a spread. Employing thick black outlining and spongy coloring, uncluttered illustrations enliven the simple plot with the increasingly complicated co-sleeping arrangement’s Twister-like configurations. When Grandma stretches wide, ejecting her sleepmates, the snooze and story both conclude, bringing this lighthearted soporific to a realistically abrupt close.

A newsreader was talking about our little town, Yrred, and the monsters who’d been seen the other night at Crystal Lake. What no one knew was that I was one of the monsters. It was me and my friends they were talking about... I kept quiet. I had so many secrets I could hardly keep track of them...

Frank the Monster's story continues in The Monster and the Clown—out this month!

"Delightfully droll" Red Reading Hub reviews The Fluffy Futon by Yuichi Kasano

"Adults and young children will enjoy sharing the story, at bedtime or any other time. The latter will love joining in with the oft repeated ‘ploff’ and ‘Yw-aahhn’ sounds as the ever increasing cast of characters take advantage of the opportunity to snooze."

A prize for The Remarkables by .perrin! 🎉🎉

Winner of the Prix Albertine Jeunesse 2026 (6 to 8 years). This reader’s choice award is based on the votes of young readers.

⭐ A starred review from School Library Journal for The Monster and the Clown, book 2 in the Frank the Monster series by and

"This title offers attractive illustrations with a limited palette of black, white, purple, and yellow; short chapters; and themes of bullying, understanding yourself, finding your pack, and the overwhelming power of love and acceptance."

"VERDICT Readers will be caught up in this fantasy adventure that’s neither too scary nor too simplistic; a tale that will leave them wanting more of Frank and his monster pack’s adventures. Recommended purchase for early reader collections."

Recommended - UK Best Children's Books for Kids Who Love Birdwatching

"Giselle Clarkson helps readers to identify and understand all bird species in her wonderful guide, Omnibird : An Avian Investigator's Handbook. Packed full of detailed illustrations and anatomical diagrams this is useful reading and very entertaining." Love Reading 4 Kids

"Delightful" A top 4 choice from Edinburgh Bookshop in the May Booksellers Circle

Edith: The Girl Who Was 100 Years Old by Catharina Valckx 🍋 ❤️

"The story wears this solemn philosophical reality lightly as the three companions share the delights of sleeping in a tent, the naughty exuberance of an animated rowboat, and the joyful comfort of anticipating growing up in tandem with a real, human friend."

A lovely review from Horn Book Magazine for Edith: The Girl Who Was 100 Years Old by Catharina Valckx