Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. The highlight has undoubtedly been Empathy Day which took place on Thursday 8th June, trending on Twitter and with many sharing books and ideas and of course participating in the live online events. The resources and author films are still freely available and the EmpathyLabUK team want everyone to go on using them – because of course every day should be an empathy day!

What I’m reading…

The online book community has been sharing a huge number of books for children that have been published this week. Among them was Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers illustrated by Tim Budgen, a joyful book perfectly pitched for its target audience of about 6 to 9 years old. With jolly illustrations, doggy puns and an adventure during which Michael learns the importance of perseverance this is a delight.

Another great book published this week is Call of the Titanic by Lindsay Galvin and this is a Titanic story with a difference. In this version we witness the disaster from the viewpoints of two young people, Sid who works below deck on Titanic, based on a real boy who escaped the disaster, and Clara, a fictional stowaway on the ship that rescued the survivors called RMS Carpathia. The adventure also features a giant Newfoundland dog Clara befriends named Rigel and a mythical sea serpent. This blending of historical fact and imagined adventure works extremely well creating tension, excitement and poignancy. Lindsay Galvin incorporates real telegraph messages that were sent between ships which I found particularly sobering. Her notes at the end of the story provide useful background information and this would be a great book for use in the classroom. However, most importantly it is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I’m glad I pushed to the top of the pile. Thank you to Chicken House for my copy.

Just in case you missed the paperback publication of The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey in April I would like to highlight this refreshing take on evolution and environmental awareness that is presented in a slightly different style. Narrated by friendly insects and full of lively illustrations incorporating numerous facts this is perfect for curious children and would be a good purchase or library borrow for the summer holidays. It manages to be both fun and educational and is lovely to browse and return to also. Published by Puffin Books and highly recommended.

Finally, if you are looking for books for the youngest book lovers in your life I have reviewed a selection of new books for babies and toddlers which are perfect for setting them off on the reading route.

News, articles and resources…

The Childrens Book Award Award Ceremony Live Today – the Federation of Children’s Book Groups are announcing the winner of their Children’s Book Award today from 1.30pm. You can join the ceremony live on their YouTube channel via the link above.

The Winner of the English Language Tir Na N-Og Award 2023 – Established in 1976, the annual Tir na n-Og Awards celebrate the best books for children and young people in Wales. The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones (published by Hodder & Stoughton) is the 2023 winner of the Tir na n-Og English-language Award for children and young people’s literature. The website contains information about the award, the judges and the shortlisted books.

Getting Your Library Ready by Roy Moss for Just Imagine – regular readers will know that I am a fan of Roy’s blogs for Just Imagine but this one in particular is close to my heart. Roy offers tips, wisdom and practical advice on how to ensure that your school library serves your school community well. The links within the article to presentations and a video in which Nikki Gamble talks to Alison Tarrant and Mary Rose Grieve, joint chairs of The Great School Libraries Campaign, about building a case for school libraries are also valuable to anyone involved with school libraries. A must read.

The Literacy Hive: The Literacy Year Calendar of Events – this excellent online calendar has been recently updated and provides details of events and related resources available to support your literacy curriculum. June is a particularly busy month and The Literacy Hive is a great starting point for planning activities and linked events.

Jon Biddle’s Reading for Pleasure Padlet – another recently updated resource and one well worth saving as it contains numerous useful links created by and generously shared by Jon. These include presentations, articles, ideas for use in the classroom, book suggestions and much more.

Libraries should be ‘ringfenced and protected’, Malorie Blackman says – a Guardian article reporting on the award wining author’s recent comments at the Hay Festival when Malorie Blackman said that her local library was essential to her career as a writer.

500 Words 2023: Everything you need to know – this is worth highlighting in order to be prepared in September. 500 Words, the UK’s most successful children’s writing competition, opens on Tuesday 26 September and will run till Friday 10 November. This year, the two age categories will be 5-7 year-olds and 8-11 year-olds. More information is available on the official website above. New research published earlier this month by The National Literacy Trust New revealed only 1 in 3 children enjoy writing in their free time so this competition may spark that enjoyment in many. Those of you on Twitter may be interested in this excellent thread by Charlotte Hacking, programme director at CLPE, on the subject and the research findings.

SLA Announces Shortlist for 2023 Information Book Award – The School Library Association this week announced the 2023 shortlist for theirInformation Book Award (IBA). The IBA aims to celebrate the importance of information books, highlight the wealth of impressive resources available and support school libraries to get the most out of them. The award is divided into three age categories, judged by a panel of educators. The judges have whittled down almost 200 different titles to a longlist of 31, and now compiled a spectacular shortlist of some of the best information books published in the last year.

Lucas Maxwell’s The Portable Magic Dispenser – the latest issue includes a 10 day reading challenge for staff, musical book tasting and Dungeons and Dragons and well being. Thank you to school librarian Lucas for compiling this regular newsletter.

Reading Is Magic Festival 2nd – 6th October – The FREE five-day festival returns in the autumn and will be beamed straight into schools and homes across the globe. You can watch the teaser trailer to see which authors, illustrators and poets are taking part on the website above. A date to put in your diaries now.

The Yoto Carnegies Award Ceremony Livestream 21st June 12pm – Schools are able to join in celebrating the UK’s longest-running and best-loved book awards for children and young people. Discover which of the outstanding titles on this year’s Medal shortlists the judges have selected as 2023’s Yoto Carnegie Medal Winners. Plus find out who will be voted as the Shadowers’ favourite to win the Shadowers’ Choice Awards, voted for by the thousands of young people who take part in the Awards Shadowing Scheme. Hosted by author and illustrator and former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child CBE more details, plus a full streaming guide available to download, are on the official website.

Learn About Richard Scarry, the Children’s Book Author Who Illustrated Animals Like People – Richard Scarry’s books were so loved in our house when my sons were small that even the mention of his name makes me smile. This article is perfect for all the Richard Scarry fans out there.

The Importance of Seeing Yourself in Stories – a guest blogpost by author Laura Noakes about the representation of disabled people within literature. In her new book, Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star, most of the heroes are disabled, neurodivergent, chronically ill and/or mentally ill. Laura hopes that this will enable disabled youngsters to feel seen and inspires young writers to include disabled characters within their stories.

Refugee Week 19 – 25th June Resources – The LiteracyTrust and author Tom Palmer have produced a selection of short stories on the theme BOAT PEOPLE and these are now live for KS3 teachers to use the week beginning 19 June. They are based on 5 true events where people have been forced to flee by boat. These can be found on the Literacy Trust website alongside a range of resources/activities suitable for upper K2 upwards.

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

Where Have You Been Little Cat by Richard Jones – I have a soft spot for both Perdu and Little Bear by Richard Jones but have not yet bought his latest picturebook. Mat Tobin’s lovely review for Books for Keeps has reminded me to put that right. “Jones’ exquisite illustrations, coupled with his tender storytelling, create a magical reading experience.”

Non-fiction review: I Have the Right by Reza Dalvand – in this newly published picture book Iranian illustrator Reza Dalvand introduces children to the universal rights they are entitled to under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In her thoughtful review Veronica Price says this “is a profoundly thought-provoking book which I whole-heartedly recommend to every school and classroom library”

Fablehouse by E. L. Norry – another book published this week this is the beginning of a new middle-grade adventure series and is a magical adventure steeped in Arthurian legend. In his excellent review for Just Imagine Stephen Dilley says, “This is a compelling and well-plotted story, and the mythic elements will appeal to fantasy fans whilst being engaging for all. The historical background …is genuinely fascinating”

That’s everything for this week and I hope you have found it helpful. This weekend I’m hoping to recover from a fairly stressful week with some kind children’s books. I Am Lenny Brown is a story told with understanding by Dan Freedman and a third of the way through it I’m already growing fond of young Lenny. Next up is Jenny Pearson’s new book, The Boy Who Made Monsters and as I think Jenny writes the ultimate “feel good stories” I’m really looking forward to that one. Happy reading and I hope you have a lovely weekend.