'Away' by Dani Seatter

“I think it’s adorable and I wanted it to carry on and to find out how they used the plastic bag and can…but I suppose that is the next book.”

“It was most kind of you to send me a copy of your book. I hope it is a great success.”

“Their Royal Highnesses are most grateful to you for taking the time to send them a copy of your book ‘Away’. It really was most thoughtful of you and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked me to send you their warmed thanks and best wishes.”

“The book is absolutely gorgeous – the illustrations are magic. And I love the use of words in the book – fabulous imagery. And a moral that doesn’t hit you over the head but does nonetheless get the message firmly across.”

“The importance of living sustainably is the most important message we can teach our children but it’s hard to know how and where to start when they are really little. ‘Away’ is the perfect solution. It’s gentle and beautifully written and accompanied by incredible drawings that showcase the impact poor choices have on our planet. I’ll be buying as gifts for all my friends with young children.”

“I liked the words and how they all made special sounds. And the animals in the book. The bunny was my favourite. It helped me learn to reuse things.”

“A wonderful book that explores the perils of plastic usage. Vocabulary choices that will encourage discussion and development. A superb children’s story that will delight and inspire the next generation of thoughtful eco-warriors.”

“My children listened to this enthralled, it has a really great pace. Afterwards we had a good conversation about where ‘away’ was, and what the animals thought of it all. The illustrations are utterly gorgeous and the concept of plastics and rubbish and the impact on nature is really well brought to life. Thoroughly recommend it.”

“This was a really lovely, gentle read. very thought provoking and the source of a good conversation with the kids. Such beautiful illustrations too.”

“A wonderfully told story, and an ever more important one. Beautifully illustrated, a real feast for young eyes.”

“A gently written tale which explores the impact of litter and waste on our precious woodland. The story offers a valuable resource to assist young readers in becoming aware of their own environmental impact.”

“It’s a beautiful book and I enjoyed the story a lot. I am sad that there is no ‘away’ and I’m worried that the animals will hurt themselves if they try to reuse the can.”

“I loved the pictures and the story, but sad to see that the rubbish never ends. I promise to pick up more rubbish on my walks.”

”It made me realise and think more about what I ‘throw away’ and the length of time our waste stays in our world.”

“This is such a beautiful book, wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated. It was a pleasure to read to my three-year-old son, George. George was enthralled by the beautiful illustrations and it’s got such a lovely message. A real gem, it helps to inspire useful conversations with our children about how we can work to make our world a better place.”

“We enjoyed reading and talking about the simple but important story in this beautiful book, and my daughter was quiet and thoughtful listening to it. “The animals look sad, I hope they don’t get poorly.” The illustrations are beautiful.”

“Dani’s playful words cleverly capture the individual characters of the woodland creatures. As a creative teacher I can see lots of possibilities for further activities with my classes. As a mother I think this is a wonder of the book. It invites my children to adopt a careful and considerate approach to the planet that we share with each other and all living things.”

“I really like the deer because (she) is so gentle and beautiful and we really have to look after (her). If we have a plastic bag we have to use it and use it and use it.”

“I read it with my son aged 6, “I’m with badger” he said. It was wonderful to read a book which talks to his age and puts into context the importance of these problems we face. The story offers children opportunity to question why this happens and look for their own solutions, while reinforcing positive living and a forward facing mindset. Brilliant.”

“This unique children’s book is beautifully illustrated and contains a compelling message at its heart. On the cover we see a delicately illustrated deer who leads us down a woodland path to a clearing. here we meet a group of woodland animals including a fox, a mouse, an owl and a badger, who are puzzled by a strange item – a plastic bag – that they’ve discovered in their natural habitat. “The perplexed viewpoint of the animals brings home to the reader the book’s core message; when people have ‘thrown something away’ there is no ‘away’ – it will end up polluting our woods, oceans and other habitats, and affecting the lives of the blameless creatures that live there.””

“With a simple plot and striking monochrome colour palette, we aren’t distracted from this important message, yet children and parents alike will be charmed by the animals’ personalities that shine through the thoughtfully chosen words by Dani Seatter and the utterly charming illustrations by Anna Stead. A great way to introduce your children to an essential understanding of our impact on the planet and our joint responsibility to protect it.”

“The pictures are so pretty and I love the way the words tumble along when it says how the animals move along.”

“The book is wonderful. Really made the kids stop and think. It’s poignant and beautifully done. The illustrations are stunning and the simplicity of the black and white really speaks volumes.”

“I loved the pictures and the words are nice. It made me sad that animals could get hurt if we aren’t putting out rubbish in the bin.”

"The illustrations are breathtaking, I could stare at them all day, being black and white they're quite unique for a picture book. However I adore them and think they work perfectly and would quite happily have them adorning every wall of my house! The presentation of the text is also delightfully artistic and a real joy to read. Featuring an extensive array of past tense verbs - gawped, flapped, fluttered, peered - this would be a fantastic book to facilitate a little bit of language learning too."

"Away is a beautifully written, eco-conscious book that every child needs to read. It will educate and inspire and has the potential to change future generations for the better. It explores the impact of waste on wildlife, in a way that children will find accessible and engaging. The author vividly depicts each animal's actions, movements, and emotions with a wide selection of descriptive words that will undoubtedly expand young readers' vocabularies. Raising aware children is one of the most important things we can do for our planet, and this book will help do it! I highly recommend it to all, regardless of age."

"Outstanding. This book is so beautiful. I love how this company are looking after the planet at the same time creating stunning books. The illustrations are simple and classy. These books are a beautiful keepsake and gift. The attention to detail is exquisite, from the way the words are placed on the page to the cute little bookmark that can be used to plant seeds. What an amazing brand and fabulous books."

“Eco-Able has made a significant impact with their educational book range and high quality baby essentials. Their dedication to sustainability and thoughtful product design has makes them deserving winners of this year’s awards.”

“Eco-Able’s books have become a bedtime favourite in our house. The stories are beautifully written and illustrated, making it easy for my child to understand the importance of recycling and protecting our oceans. It’s a great way to teach eco friendly values early on.”

"Having the images in black/white/grey made the animals feel more real." 'It's sad the animals don't have a place to put the rubbish, they could get injured or hurt. They should have listened to badger and owl as they sounded sensible. The animals were curious and that was well portrayed by the words Dani used to describe the way the animals approached the bag."

"This remarkable children's book, "Away at Christmas" is a must-have for every child's collection. It is perfectly suited for the chilly festive season, offering warmth and joy through its pages. In this adaptation of her earlier work, "Away," Seatter transports readers to a picturesque winter woodland, where the beauty of snow-covered landscapes comes alive. The woodland creatures return to guide children through various environmental themes, all while fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity about nature. The narrative takes a poignant turn as the animals express their frustration over litter in their habitat, effectively highlighting the emotional weight of environmental issues. This powerful message not only evokes feelings of empathy but also encourages young readers to reflect on their own impact on the world around them. Moreover, the story addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution while maintaining an uplifting tone. The animals creatively repurpose a plastic bag, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, there is room for innovation and hope."

"Overall, this book serves as an invaluable resource for parents and educators alike, emphasising the importance of environmental stewardship and inspiring the younger generation to take an active role in caring for the planet. "Away at Christmas" is not just a festive read; it is a call to action that encourages children to explore ways to protect and cherish their natural surroundings."

“This book is amazing. There’s not a lot of text, but the author put over the message anyway. I thought it was very clever.”

“I thought the ending with the tin can was the most powerful part.”

“It was fun trying to work out what the object was – but it was very sad too. I loved all the animals, and the speech was funny. I think this book looked good too, the way the author played with the letters on a few of the important words.”

“This book shows how you don’t need a lot of words to put over a strong message. Very impressive, and a wonderful way of introducing ‘the environment’ to young children.”

“If only all picture books were so superbly written, so superbly designed and so superbly illustrated.”

"A superbly illustrated picture book with an anti-pollution message that’s as powerful as it is simple. A FINALIST and highly recommended!"

"I can’t recommend Eco-Able’s eco children’s books highly enough! Thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated The quality of the books is excellent, and it's clear that a huge amount of care and creativity has gone into every detail. I love that they’re printed on recycled paper and packaged with the environment in mind These books make a wonderful gift. Eco-Able is doing something really special."

"Such beautiful products for the home and for the children. Love that the business is independent! Dani is always so kind when we come in with the kids ❤️ The kids have adored all her books, such wonderful tales."

"Absolutely love Ecoable! Every product reflects such care and commitment to sustainability, which gives me real peace of mind as a parent. The quality is fantastic, and it’s great knowing I’m choosing eco-friendly options for my little ones. My toddler loves the book Oceans Away—beautifully written with lovely illustrations. The organic cotton muslins are soft, breathable, and so cute—perfect for everyday use with style and purpose. I’ve just placed another order, including the mindful cards. Can’t wait to explore more! Highly recommend Ecoable for anyone looking for thoughtful, planet-friendly products for kids."

"Our judges were drawn in by this beautifully designed, sustainably produced book that is made from 100% recycled, carbon-balanced paper, eco-friendly inks and is plastic laminate free. The JDA panel loved the delicate, magical illustrations and the core message about remembering to take care of our planet and its wildlife at Christmas time and all the time. A lovely book to read around the festive months and beyond that deals with environmental issues in a light yet inspiring way."

"A beautifully illustrated book that shifts the focus from endless gifts and packaging to our wildlife friends. Lovely."

"Sometimes Christmas feels like endless consumerism and piles of waste – this book feels like a lovely reset that will get kids thinking positively about doing their bit for the planet."

The books are beautifully enticing. In a world of fast pace and richly coloured, these stand out as they make you pause and focus on the subjects. As a childminder of a busy setting - children ranging from 9 months to 10 years old- we have an extensive book collection. We also love 'Mine' , 'Oceans Away' and 'Away' that are now in a core selection in the setting. The children love to get them to be read to them."