We are bonkers about books here at Out of the Ark – picture books, non-fiction books, big books, small books, songbooks – the whole lot! Get to know a few of our team members and discover their favourite children’s books.
Alison
Music Editor
Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone
“This is a magical wintry story set in the snowy kingdom of Erkenwald. I love the adventure and excitement, the characters and the wonderful way the author uses language to paint beautiful pictures in your mind’s eye. I’ve read it several times and love it just as much, every single time!”
Pete
Education & Development Partnerships Lead
Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
“I’ve got a favourite children’s book series at the moment, and I only read them last year– as a proper (old!) grown-up. Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott tell the story of Tally, growing up and navigating the challenges and benefits that come with being autistic. They’re based on Libby's own diaries, and our whole family have found them really helpful in understanding how life is for my daughter.”
Sue
Finance Assistant
The Magic Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton
“I loved the imaginative characters and wanted them to be my friends (especially Moonface and The Saucepan Man). There was such inventiveness in the various adventures. I could still read it and enjoy it today.”
Georgia
Head of Marketing & Customer Engagement
That Rabbit Belongs To Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell
“I absolutely loved reading this book to my children. It’s a mix of funny and heart-warming with fab illustrations that just captivated them every single time. This is the one book that was asked for over and over again.”
Rebecca
Senior Editor
The Silver Sword by Ian Seraillier
“This book had such an impact on me when I read it at 8 years old. It’s a story of family, courage, resilience and ultimately survival during the Second World War and based on true stories. We even named our daughter after one of the main characters – Bronia!”
Nikki
Primary Education & Training Lead
Winnie The Pooh by A. A Milne
“I have far too many to choose from! One of my favourites as a child was Winnie The Pooh by A. A Milne because the person that read it to me did the best Eeyore voice ever! I still love children’s books and anything by the amazing Katherine Rundell gets a big ‘yes’ from me! Her Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You are So Old and Wise is definitely worth a read.”
Ant
Head of Development, Education & Partnerships
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
“This was one of the first books I remember reading on my own. It’s simple and full of energy – a fun, mad world of colourful dogs zooming around in cars, climbing trees,and having a fantastic dog party! I still have my original book and a small, yellow toy dog I named Go-Go!”
Alison
Music Editor
Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone
“This is a magical wintry story set in the snowy kingdom of Erkenwald. I love the adventure and excitement, the characters and the wonderful way the author uses language to paint beautiful pictures in your mind’s eye. I’ve read it several times and love it just as much, every single time!”
Pete
Education & Development Partnerships Lead
Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
“I’ve got a favourite children’s book series at the moment, and I only read them last year– as a proper (old!) grown-up. Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott tell the story of Tally, growing up and navigating the challenges and benefits that come with being autistic. They’re based on Libby's own diaries, and our whole family have found them really helpful in understanding how life is for my daughter.”
Sue
Finance Assistant
The Magic Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton
“I loved the imaginative characters and wanted them to be my friends (especially Moonface and The Saucepan Man). There was such inventiveness in the various adventures. I could still read it and enjoy it today.”
Georgia
Head of Marketing & Customer Engagement
That Rabbit Belongs To Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell
“I absolutely loved reading this book to my children. It’s a mix of funny and heart-warming with fab illustrations that just captivated them every single time. This is the one book that was asked for over and over again.”
Rebecca
Senior Editor
The Silver Sword by Ian Seraillier
“This book had such an impact on me when I read it at 8 years old. It’s a story of family, courage, resilience and ultimately survival during the Second World War and based on true stories. We even named our daughter after one of the main characters – Bronia!”
Nikki
Primary Education & Training Lead
Winnie The Pooh by A. A Milne
“I have far too many to choose from! One of my favourites as a child was Winnie The Pooh by A. A Milne because the person that read it to me did the best Eeyore voice ever! I still love children’s books and anything by the amazing Katherine Rundell gets a big ‘yes’ from me! Her Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You are So Old and Wise is definitely worth a read.”
Ant
Head of Development, Education & Partnerships
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
“This was one of the first books I remember reading on my own. It’s simple and full of energy – a fun, mad world of colourful dogs zooming around in cars, climbing trees,and having a fantastic dog party! I still have my original book and a small, yellow toy dog I named Go-Go!”
Has our blog got you feeling book-y? Check out our most popular World Book Day song, I Like Books!, taken from Songs for EVERY Growing School, and also available as part of a subscription or free trial of Sparkyard!
Our book-y songs:
