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Tadpole Summer

By Catherine Bruton
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Brief Description
From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, comes a story of sibling love and loss, healing and hope. "Catherine is a wonderful storyteller" - Phil Earle Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1899
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Releases 3rd November 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Tadpole Summer" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, comes a story of sibling love and loss, healing and hope as a grieving girl seeks solace by camping out in her garden one fateful summer, ultimately finding her own space and her voice.

From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, comes a story of sibling love and loss, healing and hope as a grieving girl seeks solace by camping out in her garden one fateful summer, ultimately finding her own space and her voice.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, comes a story of sibling love and loss, healing and hope.

"Catherine is a wonderful storyteller" - Phil Earle

Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short) but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, Frog happy to do whatever Tad needs.

But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sounds and smells of nature and a space of her own that she's never had before.

When Tad comes up, their bedroom has to change to accommodate all his hospital equipment and Frog isn't sure where she fits in their family anymore. She retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp out for charity. But as Tad's condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him.

Working to bring the small wonders of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this last summer together unforgettable?

More beautiful stories by Catherine Bruton:

No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020

Bird Boy, Nero Book Awards Shortlist for Children's Fiction 2024

Following Frankenstein

Another Twist in the Tale

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781839946523

Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Nosy Crow Ltd

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 350g

Pages: 272

Collections

Catherine Bruton Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Kids & YA Pre-orders Pre-order Books Pre-Order Children's Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Young Adult

About the Author

Catherine Bruton studied English at Oxford University and has been juggling life as a teacher, children's author and mum for the past fifteen years. As an English teacher she sees first hand the impact stories can have on young readers - opening their eyes, expanding their horizons, making them ask questions and see the world differently. Her books tackle some of the big issues faced by young people today - terrorism, immigration, the cult of celebrity, the refugee crisis - in ways that are heart-breaking, often hilarious, but invariably hopeful. As her alter-ego Cate Shearwater, she is also the author of the much-loved Somersaults and Dreams series.

Also by Catherine Bruton

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  • Another Twist in the Tale
    You have heard, no doubt, the tale of Master Oliver Twist - that rags-to-riches boy; the parish orphan who became heir to the Brownlow fortune. But what few know is that there was a second Twist - a girl, brought into this world moments ahead of her brother. This is the story of Twill Twist - and her journey through...
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  • Bird Boy
    "Vivid and deeply empathetic, Catherine is a wonderful storyteller." Phil Earle "A wonderfully moving story about the healing power of nature, perfect for fans of Phil Earle and Katya Balen" Anthony McGowan "Unputdownable. A gift to nature-loving young people" Hilary McKay "A heartfelt story about the healing power of nature. Moving and powerful, I loved it" Gill Lewis From the...
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  • Following Frankenstein
    Sometimes I was jealous of the monster of Frankenstein. I grew up believing my father cared more for him than he did for me. And was I wrong? Maggie Walton's father has dedicated his life to a single pursuit: hunting down the monster created by Victor Frankenstein. It has cost Maggie and her family everything – and now her father...
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  • No Ballet Shoes in Syria
    No Ballet Shoes in Syria tells the poignant story of Aya, an eleven-year-old girl who has just arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother, seeking asylum from the ravages of war in Syria. Upon discovering a local ballet class, Aya's exceptional talent is quickly recognised by a formidable dance teacher who believes she has the potential to secure...
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