Supporting children during their critical early years milestonesYour voice matters at Green Bean Studios! A vital part of our mission is the continual development of resources and content that support children during their critical early years milestones. We prioritise spending time with the dedicated educators and professionals who have been working within our communities for decades.  Are you a parent of a child with special educational needs? Meet Emma Pinnock (Nèe Noel) , a prominent leader and advocate in this field. She provides invaluable support and advocacy for both parents and professionals navigating this space. Grandparents play a crucial role in helping their grandchildren reach key early years milestones. Listen to our grandparent ambassadors discuss the immense value of learning through play.  At Green Bean Studios®, we draw on more than two decades of expertise in child development to promote a love for play, education, and vibrant outdoor discovery. Our mission is to empower every child by nurturing essential skills that pave the way for success in formal schooling and beyond. Built upon the pillars of Kids, Earth, and Community, we actively seek new partners and ambassadors to expand our global impact. To explore partnership opportunities, join our ambassador program, or schedule a private event, please reach out to [email protected]. By collaborating with schools, libraries, and local councils throughout Manchester and the wider UK, our ambassadors help children realize their maximum potential within their own communities.
Through engaging brand activities and author-led events, we are cultivating a dedicated network of educators, parents, and investors united by a commitment to reading for pleasure and adventurous play. Green Bean is a fantastic learning companion, always ready to join in on exciting adventures through educational play and reading. Green Bean is LOVED by all ages, featuring on TV & Radio—including parents, grandparents, and educators—and features across a range of products, including books, ECO toys, games, magazines, and outdoor play collectables. This cool Bean does a lot more than just look good!  Green Bean offers a wealth of developmental advantages for children: Enhanced Focus✅ By making learning an enjoyable experience, Green Bean significantly improves a child's concentration and focus. Through interactive storytelling and engaging activities, children remain captivated, allowing them to absorb new information more effectively while developing vital cognitive skills. Imaginative Play✅ Green Bean is the perfect play companion, stimulating imagination, encouraging longer playtime, and broadening the horizons of a child's play world. Whether navigating the Green Bean Collection or embarking on a personal quest, this character inspires children to create their own narratives and explore new possibilities. School Readiness✅
The brand's philosophy and content are rooted in the Early Years Curriculum, seamlessly integrating essential learning into every interaction. By focusing on social and emotional development alongside literacy and numeracy, Green Bean helps build a solid foundation for a successful transition into the school environment. Outdoor Exploration✅ While many children have an inherent love for nature, Green Bean acts as the necessary invitation, prompting fun outdoor adventures, from flying a kite in the park to exploring the family garden. This focus on "Nature Nurture" encourages children to appreciate the environment while engaging in physical activity. In 2026, we are observing significant trends in book publishing, particularly for children, spanning picture books to longer stories. We also explore the work of children's author and entrepreneur, Anita Frost, known for her Green Bean book series aimed at babies and preschoolers. Her work extends to adventure storytelling through children's magazines, some of which include free gifts like seeds and stickers, promoting an adventurous learning experience that connects reading with the outdoors.  Over the years, the children's book market has diversified with many genres. While established authors like Julia Donaldson, with classics like The Gruffalo and its extensions, offer wholesome, engaging stories, there's a growing concern about a surge of quickly produced books. These fast-spin books can be misleadingly perceived as quality literature but may actually hinder a child's development. The issue is that children are increasingly struggling with focus and concentration. This is largely attributed to the widespread use of apps, phones, and tablets, devices that mesmerise children in various settings—from the car to the supermarket, and even while parents are busy at home. When children put down this technology and attempt to pick up a book, they often find it challenging and overwhelming to concentrate on a full page of words, preferring their screens. Therefore, the availability of certain key books, found in major retailers like Waterstones and independent book and toy shops, is vital. These books are designed to help children return to the fundamental love of reading and, in doing so, support the improvement of their focusing skills.  Top Books for Enhancing Storytelling Focus
The popular Gruffalo series is set to release its third book, Gruffalo Granny, a new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Scheduled for release on September 10, 2026, the story introduces the new character, Granny, who visits the Gruffalo family. Familiar characters from the deep dark wood, including Fox, Snake, and Owl, are also featured.
The earliest years sector is facing a profound crisis, exacerbated by years of systemic pressure, even before the pandemic. We are seeing clear evidence that children's learning and development are being hindered. Technology is not always the advancement it promises to be in this context, because fundamental early development thrives on the simplicity of play, imagination, and exploring the world.  Today, schools and nurseries are struggling to cope with the complex demands of children who are falling behind in basic essentials. Recognising this urgent need, Anita Frost has spent the last seven years vigorously developing and innovating a solution. Her goal was to design resources that support, not hinder, children's needs. The cornerstone of this initiative is a collection of simple yet effective books. These books are crafted to make reading a joyful adventure, featuring familiar characters, carefully chosen sounds, and word counts designed to hook children and foster a lifelong love of reading, encouraging them to explore other literature. This work is founded on over 20 years of child development experience, where Anita brings her deep knowledge to a creative workforce, defining a much-needed difference in the current educational landscape. Alongside the books are accompanying toys, specifically developed to support the emotional well-being of children growing up in exceptionally challenging times. With increasing parental anxiety and the rising cost of living, parents are bombarded with endless advertisements and distractions. Yet, the team at Green Bean Studios has worked tirelessly to introduce something simple but transformative to the market: toys that nurture, spark curiosity, and offer comfort and ease. The brand is now forging partnerships with significant leading corporations and is focused on raising the necessary investment. This capital will be used to shape the next generation and provide critical support to children who are currently in school, struggling with anxiety and falling behind in their everyday word count. We are committed, as a team and as partners, to leading the change. Our mission is to ensure children can watch content that supports their development, read books that encourage, nurture, and teach, and play with toys that are wholesome, sustainable, and give them an advantage to become the future workforce leaders. Play remains the fundamental foundation of who our children will become. |
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Find out more about our children’s books, toys, games, outdoor activities and edutainment media. Editor
Melissa Brannlund is the features writer and editor, for Green Bean Studios. www.greenbeancollection.co.uk Want to keep updated on all things Green Bean?
Stay tuned for announcements on our website about exciting competitions, giveaways and the latest news from Green Bean Studios. You can find Melissa's monthly features on the News & Media page, discussing children's books, toys, and games,, reading, play, early years education, and enjoying a fun and greener lifestyle. For more information or any PR queries, please contact Melissa by emailing [email protected]. Categories
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Registered No:12919046 VAT: 445 4542 90