Testimonials

A heartwarming testament to music’s healing power and the difference one caring individual can make.
Kirkus Reviews (on The Elephant and the Piano)

Whether the reader is young or old, for a lover of words, Colossal Words for Kids is pure gold!

Sandy for Novels Alive

If you know a child who loves learning big words, likes funny pictures and enjoys a rhyme then Colossal Words for Kids is a book for them

Just Imagine Reviews

Colossal Words for Kids, by Colette Hiller and Tor Freeman, will have clever young tongues wagging …

The Telegraph

Clever, engaging, educational.

The Wall Street Journal (on The B on your Thumb)

There should be a space reserved on every home and school bookshelf for this.

The Book Trust (on The B on your Thumb)

Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK

School Reading List

An inspiring story of music and connection…. The text is simple but lovely, descriptive, and age appropriate

School Library Journal

This inspiring account demonstrates how one person’s compassion and creativity can profoundly impact even the most angst-ridden soul

Kirkus Review, Feb 2026

Such books are to be treasured

Emily Bairn – The Telegraph

“What  Buoyant rhyming text  – This book made me Chortle uncontrollably.!”

David Litchfield

‘Will bear up under repeated childhood readings’

The Wall Street Journal

“The perfect gift for any seven-12-year-old who loves vocabulary.”

The Bookseller, ‘Editor’s Choice’ May Children’s Previews

…Colette Hiller’s poems are a pedagogical gift.
Joyful reading lessons– with a phonological lift.

Timothy Shanahan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois and government policy advisor on literacy education

I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to learn.

Dr Susan B Neuman, education policy maker and Professor of Literacy Education, NYU

The B on Your Thumb
is your number-one chum –
a magical spell for excelling.
The rhymes are a riot,
so come on and try it –
you’ll soon be a wizard at spelling.

Dennis Lee, author of the award-winning classic, Alligator Pie

The B on Your Thumb is clever, engaging, educational and fun. I wish I had thought of it. I can’t wait to read it to my daughter.

Craig Smith, author/song writer of The Wonky Donkey

Wonderful rhymes and hilarious illustrations… Parents, teachers, and children will find this book entertaining and useful.

Bonnie Macmillan, author of Teach A Child to Read in One Week

A lovely, loony look at language!

Michelle Robinson, author of the best-selling ‘Goodnight’ series

A charming, gentle way to get children thinking about and playing with spellings, language and words.

Joseph Coelho, award-winning poet and author

I remember the misery I had as a child trying to pronounce and spell words. I wish this book had been around back then, it would have saved me and the teachers a lot of grief. The illustrations are fun, every page is as colourful as a jar of sweets and every rhyme is accessible.

Brian Patten, award-winning poet and author

A riotous introduction to the quirky world of the English language.

Alan Durant, prize-winning author of Always and Forever