Tiny the Secret Adventurer

Among the petals of the smallest sunflower in the grounds of Oakwood Primary School lives Tiny, a miniature girl with a big heart. She loves watching the school children play, but wishes she had a friend of her own, so sets off to explore the garden, in search of friendship and adventure. Tiny asks three young mice if she can join their game, but instead of welcoming her, the mice are hostile and push her over, making her feel sad and scared. When the other garden creatures try to intimidate her, Tiny is frightened and confused, but puts her fears aside to help Frog when he is in danger, demonstrating her courage and compassion.

This gentle, inclusive tale is the first adventure in a series of books about Tiny. The story explores the effects of bullying, as well as some potential causes, such as ignorance, fear and peer pressure, which will help young readers to develop empathy. Ultimately uplifting, the book shows the importance of tolerance, kindness and friendship. The short chapters provide natural breaks for children as they build up their reading stamina, while plenty of black-and-white illustrations throughout add visual interest.