Welcome to this week’s round up of children’s book news and the last one of this school year. There is a bit of a summer reading theme to some of the links and I hope that they are useful.

What I’m reading…

For several days now I’ve been savouring a wonderful book, The Song That Sings Us. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it before but it’s definitely a book that lingers in the mind. As I read this compelling story I travelled with the three captivating children created by Nicola Davies down mountain slopes, through dense woodland, and dazzling forests. The exciting adventure shines with the author’s love of our natural world and sees good battle against the powers of evil. This dystopian world feels frighteningly real and the voices of the animal characters convey much that is important to us all. This a story told on a grand scale but with individual hope at its heart, highlighting the thread that connects us all. It will, I think, leave its readers with a wish to share in ‘the song’. Please do read the guest post by Nicola, Sea Fever, today’s article in the blog tour taking place to mark the paperback publication this week of The Sing That Sings Us.

News, articles and resources…

The Summer Reading Challenge – launched last month in Scotland and today in England and Wales, 2023 sees a sports and games themed Summer Reading Challenge: Ready, Set, Read. You can join the Challenge at your local library and take part in person or sign up online to join in the fun. The Ready, Set, Read collection of books includes a range of books for all taste and this is a brilliant way to encourage children to keep reading over the summer break. Please have a look at the website linked above to find out more.

Book Trust: New Children’s Books We Love for July – Every month, the Book Trust team review dozens of books for children and teenagers. This month’s selection ranges from an interactive board book for babies and toddlers to translated fiction for 12+. Something for everyone to read this summer!

The Reader Teacher: July 2023 Children’s Books I’m Most Excited About – more fabulous new books to choose from. Scott’s selection includes the The Boy Who Made Monsters by Jenny Pearson and Katie Kear, Sweet Skies by Robin Scott-Elliot which is next up on my reading shelf and a new picture book from Jon Klassen.

The Island of Brilliant Episode 3 – in this latest episode of this great podcast you can listen to Nadia Shireen and Frank Cottrell Boyce chat with Ed Vere and find out which books Emily Drabble of Book Trust is recommending to us.

Mr Dilly Meets – Kid’s Author Super Summer Special – the recording of this event which took place recently is now available to watch on YouTube, link above. Get ready to meet some of the biggest and best-selling childen’s authors, here with their summer reads 2023 for you. The authors include G M Linton, Jenny Pearson, Phil Earle, Jeffrey Boake and Caryl Lewis.

Re-wilding your family and your phone by Nicola Davie – a timely article for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups in which Nicola Davies talks to Lyn Bowles about the Song That Sings Us and how important it is for children and adults to do a bit of self re-wilding.

TOPPSTA Summer Reading – TOPPSTA have some fantastic recommendations this year, from silly picture books through to enchanting middle-grade stories. These books will keep even the most reluctant reader entertained and they are all available to win this summer through Toppsta! Just read and review one of the books listed on the website above by 31st August and the person who submits the favourite review will win a set of all the books for their school.

The Week Junior Summer of Reading – The Week Junior will be providing full details of their special Summer Reading Challenge, including the chance to win fantastic prizes, in their 21st July issue. Meanwhile you can download their 2023 booklist made up of 50 inclusive and inspiring children’s books that have been recommended by their readers here.

A Story of Hope: author Na’ima B. Robert and illustrator Nadine Kaadan – Sue McGonigle talks to Na’ima B. Robert and Nadine Kaadan about their new book A Child Like You in this thoughtful interview for Books for Keeps.

5 top tips for choosing baby books – Babies can’t see books as well as children and adults. Professor Anna Franklin, from the Sussex Baby Lab at the University of Sussex, explains what babies can see and what they like to look at, and shares some expert tips on how to select books for babies.

Book Recommendations: Starting School – yes, I know it’s coming up to the end of term but for organised types who are already thinking about planning for September Little Wandle Letters and Sounds have come up with some excellent suggestions of books to share with young children starting school or nursery.

2023 Teachers’ Reading Challenge – The Teachers’ Reading Challenge is an opportunity for school and library staff to expand their knowledge of contemporary children’s books and develop their understanding of reading for pleasure pedagogy. Run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the Open University, the challenge will enable you access resources and be inspired by recommendations from a community of educators and readers, as you discover brilliant children’s books this summer. Full details on the website above.

It’s Not Me, It’s You: An Argument for Shorter Middle Grade Books – This article by former teacher and literacy trainer Melissa Taylor raises important points about the importance of choice, range and availability if we want to encourage children to read.

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

Art is Everywhere by Joe Haddow, illustrated by Ellie Hawes – in her excellent review Veronica Price recommends this new non-fiction title as a must buy for schools but it would no doubt be useful to parents over the summer holidays too. “The entire book feels like a direct conversation with an adult who genuinely wants to impart their own enjoyment of a particular hobby to a young audience, in the hope that they will derive the same joy.”

Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson – this is a really lovely review by Jacqui Sydney of a book that explores difficult topics such as poverty, homelessness and childhood illness in an empathetic manner, “this would make such a powerful read aloud in upper KS2 to open up discussions about kindness and respect, and how to provide emotional support to those who need it.”

That’s everything for this week and for this school year too. I hope these weekly updates have been helpful and hope that the final weeks of the school year go well for everyone. Wishing everyone a happy summer with your families and friends.