Derek

Derek is a fish with very big questions and very unhelpful neighbours (the shell said nothing; the rock said less). This is the book for the child who already suspects the universe is enormous and mysterious, and for the grown-up at bedtime who needed reminding that sometimes you just have to jump.

We love it because:

• It tackles the genuinely big stuff (curiosity, searching, the courage to venture into the unknown) without ever being heavy-handed or preachy about it.
• Derek is completely, endearingly relatable. We've all tried to get answers from sources that turned out to be unhelpful (ahem).
• The storytelling is gentle and funny and a tiny bit philosophical, in the best possible way.
• It will spark real conversations, the kind where your child asks something so profound at 7pm that you quietly have to sit down.
• The colour illustrations are gorgeous and full of personality.

What's in the box:

• One hardback copy of Derek by Anne Donaldson, published by Hardie Grant

Great for:

• Ages 3 and up (though honestly, the adults get a lot out of it too)
• Children who ask "but WHY?" approximately forty times a day; this is their book
• Bedtime reading, rainy afternoons, and quiet moments on the sofa
• Gifts for new babies, birthdays, or any child who is starting to figure out that the universe is very large and very interesting

Important to know:

• Hardback, 32 pages
• Dimensions: 24.4 x 14.4 cm
• Full colour illustrations throughout
• Suitable from age 3 upwards
• Published 4 September 2025, ISBN 9781761215537