Poppy has a slight problem; she doesn’t have a single friend. She seems to frighten them off with her (physically) prickly nature, despite her really not meaning to abs trying so hard to make friends, poor Poppy is so very lonely.
That it is until this little porcupine scares away a tiger cub by the name of Rory. On a mission to find him and apologise, Poppy bears witness to little Rory being taken by poachers. But it’s Poppy’s quick thinking and small act of bravery that sees her rescue Rory and make forms friends for life.
The Problem with Poppy is a beautiful tale of making friends despite appearances and being brave when the problem seems bigger than you are. Truly an inspirational story for children of all ages! My four year old daughter abs class of Yr 4 children adored this picture book and really got their interest- I had so many questions about poachers and deforestation that it really became a bit of a project to find out more!
Part of the sale of this book is donated to such a good cause to preserve the forests and these animals homes and keep them safe from poachers. So it’s a book that works to make a difference in the world!
Author Biography
Emma Sandford is a children’s author and businesswoman based in Cheshire. For many years, she has wanted to write a children’s book that draws on her own experiences and helps young children overcome personal issues. One day, inspiration hit her: she realised that a porcupine has a very obvious defence mechanism where it shows its quills, stamps its feet and chatters with its teeth when feeling threatened.
Unfortunately, due to traumatic events in her life, Emma has also been defensive in situations where she didn’t need to be, and was frightened to let people get close to her. The Problem With Poppy is a fun way of teaching kids that while everybody has a natural defence mechanism, there is a time and a place to use it. By the end of the story, Poppy has learnt this valuable lesson and she makes a lifelong friend in the process.
Emma is planning on writing more books in the future that have similar important messages for youngsters. Watch this space!
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