After the brilliant No Ballet Shoes For Syria and Bird Boy, Catherine Bruton returns with a truly powerful and moving story- Tadpole Summer.

This is the story of Frog ( Frances) and her brother Tad; Tad suffers from an illness- SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy - slowly his muscles are wasting away and the body cannot function.

Set against the backdrop of a spring into summer, this is the tale as to how nature provided a point of focus during a challenging and heartbreaking summer for Frog and her family. Each Spring, Frog has gone tad poling with her brother but this year he is bed ridden- so she embarks on building a small osiers of calm with a wildlife garden and along with the help of her grandad s she is able to create her own refuge when at times she feels isolated form the events around her. She befriends her neighbour Ari who is homeschooled and views life in his own unique way bringing along an extra magic to the story.The journey /life of the tadpoles plays against the ensuing events and makes a beautiful analogy about change and life cycles.

With grandad's support she starts to camp out in the garden and in a short time this simple action becomes something that involves a community and school whilst all the time ensuring that Tad has a magical time.

This is a book about grief- preparing for death - but it is incredibly sensitive and moving. As Catherine Bruton explains , one in 20 children deal with the bereavement of a close relative so it is not alien to children.

This is a book that I will recommend to colleagues in upper key stage 2 and family and friends- this could also be read by adults. I did not know about SMA and this book has educated me as well as deeply moving me. A difficult theme is so sensitively explored that to by pass this story because of its content would be very sad.

I doubt I will read a primary school read as powerful as this in the foreseeable future. Yes, it truly moved me to tears.

Thank you Catherine Bruton for a masterclass in storytelling but a book that has an enduring power in educating and supporting children and adults during a life changing period. A top highlight children's book for 2026 - no doubt

Thank you to Nosy Crow books and Netgalley for the advance copy