Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on October 7, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to the October issue of Reading Matters and a look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books over the last few weeks. It’s been busy! So much so that this round up can’t possibly include everything as it would be too huge for you to get through but I hope that this selection will be useful to you.

What I’m reading…

Sometimes I feel the need to read a book in the knowledge that I don’t ‘have’ to review it. This week, on the 1st October I pulled a book off my shelves which has been sitting there since I bought it nearly two years ago, repeatedly pushed back as I try to keep up with the books sent by publishers for me to read and review. October, October by Katya Balen, as many of you already know, is a perfect read for this time of year. Katya’s writing style is, I think, rather special, each word matters and adds meaning and understanding to the story. There is such depth of feeling in each sentence that as a reader sometimes I have to re-read a paragraph or phrase. The character of October is equally distinctive, her thoughts and emotions conveyed so well. Late to this I know but what a beautiful book. This stunning review by Gordon Askew explains the appeal of this story so much better than I can.

It’s a treat to share books with my thirteen month old grandson who I’m glad to say is already showing excellent taste. His current favourites at home are the Zeki series by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw and the Britannica Baby Encyclopaedia. I’ve now introduced him to one loved by his Daddy, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle which is, of course, a hit and a new interactive board book, Peekaboo Lion by Camilla Reid and Ingella Arrhenius, a brilliantly designed book from Nosy Crow that is guaranteed to produce smiles every time he sees it.

I’m already earmarking books for my grandson to enjoy when he’s a little older and one published this week is high on my list. My Nature Trail by Rachel and Paul Lawston published by Pikku Publishing is an excellent way of introducing young children to nature. It combines information and activity suggestions for each season and incorporates pages where children can write down notes on what they have seen and done. Perfect for schools but equally valuable for families this is a attractively produced and extremely appealing book.

A special treat this week was Nikki Gamble’s audience with Sydney Smith. An hour and a half flew by as conversation and discussion flowed and we gazed at Sydney’s fabulous illustrations. It was an enlightening insight and I learned much from this award winning picturebook creator’s comments and thoughts. As soon as it ended I ordered a copy of his new book, Do You Remember? as the preview made it irresistible.

Finally, in case you missed it last week I have also compiled a reading round up for September reviewing a selection of great books for different ages and tastes.

News, articles and resources…

Step inside your story with Patrice Lawrence, Robert Tregoning and Viviane Schwarz – apologies for the very late notice but I wanted to highlight this free online event hosted by the British Library on Tuesday 10th October at 11.00 -12.00. Join authors and illustrators Robert Tregoning, Patrice Lawrence and Viviane Schwarz in this playful livestreamed session to inspire your students to step inside their own stories and make zig-zag books. Produced in partnership with Seven Stories. Perfect for primary school children, aged 6-11.

Leading a Reading for Pleasure School – an excellent guest article on the Literacy Hive website by Sonia Thompson, Headteacher of St Matthew’s CofE Primary School in Birmingham, the first school to win the OU/UKLA Whole School Reading for Pleasure Award in 2018 (now the Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Awards). So much wise comment in this guest piece, the first of two.

Literacy Hive October Calendar – this month’s notable events are collated here by Sian Hardy in an easy to navigate website full of helpful resources for teachers and school librarians. This month’s links Black History Month, the 500 Words competition and Oracy October.

Charity launches award and database to encourage diversity in children’s books – article in the Guardian about the launch of the new charity, Inclusive Books for Children. “Inclusive Books for Children survey found that two thirds of minority ethnic parents struggle to find representative books to read their children.” Please do have a look at the excellent website too with loads of book recommendations, reviews & curated lists from the expert team to find out more. This will be a valuable resource for both schools and families.

Winner of the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize Announced – on Wednesday 13th September, it was announced that Mariajo Ilustrajo is the winner of the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize for the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. She won for her book Flooded (Frances Lincoln Books), a funny but powerful demonstration of the impact of climate change in which animals attempt to carry on with business as normal, even while their city is flooding. You can find out more about the winning book and its creator on the website above and explore the other excellent books that were shortlisted.

Join the new Blue Peter Book Club! – in September Blue Peter unveiled a new Book badge, designed by one of the UK’s best-known illustrators, Sir Quentin Blake. The Blue Peter Book badge will be awarded to children aged 5-15 who send in their thoughts on a book, draw a character or scene and share which other books and writers they love. Find out which books have been recommended for the Blue Peter Book club and how to get involved in the Reading Agency article above.

50 Books To Read in Year 7 – school librarian Lucas Maxwell has created a list of 50 books he recommends to Year 7 students starting secondary school this term. Divided into 5 categories: Real Life, Horror, Fantasy and Adventure, Comedy and Non-Fiction there’s something here for a range of tastes and interests.

Books For Keeps September Issue – always worth a read this excellent resource for those interested in children’s books includes lots of reviews plus articles and interviews. In the latest in their Beyond the Secret Garden series, Darren Chetty and Karen Sands-O’Connor consider representations of Jewish people in children’s literature there is also an interview with author Hannah Gold. The best way to keep up to date is to sign up for the Books for Keeps newsletter which can be done on the home page of their website.

Love My Books September Newsletter – this helpful newsletter includes this month’s book in focus, Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton, more wise advice from Sonia Thompson, Head teacher but this time on how to support your child at school and lots if new books and activity pages.

Children’s and teens roundup: the best new picture books and novels – A joyful picture-book account of family life; a magical fantasy series begins; an addictive epistolary friendship; fast-paced feminist YA; and more make up Imogen Russell Williams’ September selection for the Guardian. Also campaigner Rose Roberto discusses the decision to remove Kate Greenaway’s from CILIP’s annual award for illustration.

Book Trust Writer in Residence: Michelle Robinson – Every six months, BookTrust appoints a new Writer or Illustrator in Residence to write blogs, run competitions and give us their own unique perspective on the world of children’s books. Michelle Robinson’s core mission during her residency with BookTrust is to encourage children and grown-ups to “have fun reading together”. For the next six months, she will produce tips and activities for experiencing the pure joy of sharing picture books together.

The Diverse Book Awards 2023 Shortlists Announced – These awards were created by bestselling, award-winning author Abiola Bello and award-winning publicist Helen Lewis to highlight the best of the diverse voices published in the UK & Ireland both traditionally and self-published. The shortlisted titles are in several categories, Picture Books, Children’s, YA and Adult fiction.

Longlists For The 2024 UKLA Book Awards Announced– Sponsored by LoveReading4Kids and Reading Cloud, the UKLA Book Awards are the only children’s book awards judged by teachers. Sponsored by LoveReading4Kids and Reading Cloud, the UKLA Book Awards are the only children’s book awards judged by teachers. The books selected for the award will be titles that teachers can share with pupils as part of regular classroom experience. This year there are 84 judges covering the four categories and the fabulous books on the longlists are going to make this a difficult task. These lists are an excellent starting point if you are keen to discover new high quality children’s literature.

The Reader Teacher – Monthly Must Reads for September – each month Scott Evans selects his favourite recently published books including a picture book and a non-fiction title. There’s a free poster of the books to download and display too.

Poetry By Heart 2024 Competition – the 2024 Poetry By Heart competition was launched with a special live event at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe on National Poetry Day, Thursday 5 October. Special guests included the poets Jean Sprackland, also a judge for the competition, and Coral Rumble. Please do visit the Poetry by Hear website above to find out more about the competition and to explore their excellent resources.

The Reader Teacher: October 2023 Children’s Books I’m Most Excited About – in addition to Scott’s look back at last month, see above, he also produces a video highlighting some of the best books being published this month too.

The Week Junior Book Awards 2023 – The Week Junior Book Awards aim to inspire children to read for pleasure. From magical adventures to real-life stories, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the category shortlists. The winners were announced this week and I was delighted to see Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean win the older fiction category and Anisha, Accidental Detective: Holiday Adventure by Serena Patel, illustrated by Emma McCann the younger fiction. You can learn more about all the winners on the official website above.

Barrington Stoke: Free Accessible Reading Spaces Guide – Packed with advice, recommendations and expert insight, this resource is a great starting point for making your classroom, library or reading nook a valuable entrypoint for readers. It is free to download from the Barrington Stoke website above and having downloaded a copy myself I can recommend doing so, it includes links, tips and reference to research.

Illustrators team up to create calendar and raise thousands for BookTrust – For many years Peter Sheldon, ex marketing director of Peters Books, has been championing children’s reading. So much so, that for the past five years he has produced and sold a calendar in collaboration with many of his illustrator friends, Quentin Blake, Colin and Jacqui Hawkins, Michael Foreman, Colin McNaughton, Ruth Brown and Posy Simmonds (to name just a few) to raise money for BookTrust. Find out how you can purchase the 2024 calendar on the link above. This could be a perfect Christmas present! The last date for orders is 14th October and the price is £10.50 inc postage and packing.

That’s everything for this month and I hope you have found some of these links useful. Next month is National Non-Fiction November and you may like to visit the Federation of Children’s Book Groups website to find out more about this initiative and get involved. Happy reading!

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Children’s Books – a September reading round up

Posted on September 30, 2023 by alibrarylady

My good intentions regarding reading the enormous pile of books on my shelves this month were more than a little disrupted by going down with Covid in early September. Thankfully now much improved I’ve been catching up! Here are some of the children’s books that I’ve enjoyed reading in September.

Sharing books with my one year old grandson is a joy and especially so when they include the brilliant Zeki series by Anna McQuinn and Ruth Hearson. The latest, Zeki Hikes With Daddy published by Alanna Max Books is as perfectly pitched as its predecessors. It is full of joy depicting the loving bond between parent and child. The expert use of language is so lovely to read aloud encouraging little ones to copy the sounds they hear, keeping their attention and teaching them too. The wonderful, vibrant illustrations are full of detail for small children to recognise and parents to talk about. Zeki Hikes With Daddy is simply perfect for babies and their parents too.

Earlier this year I read My Name is Sunshine Simpson without any prior awareness of this lovely story and was struck by the engaging narrative voice. G M Linton’s sequel, Sunshine Simpson Cooks Up a Storm illustrated by Fuuji Takashi is every bit as good as the first book tackling big subjects such as family difficulties, grief, racial bigotry and coping with change in a positive and uplifting manner. Sunshine’s cheerful nature will, I think, engage and encourage young readers. In the aftermath of the death of her beloved grandfather Sunshine moves up to Year 6, her dad is asked to work away from home and her mum is struggling to cope with the reappearance of Sunshine’s glamorous Grandmother after many years absence. All these issues are ultimately resolved and the strength of a loving family and a caring community are celebrated. Key facts incorporated throughout the story make this book perfect for Black History Month but I would wholeheartedly recommend this for any time of the year. A wonderful, feel good read published by Usborne Books for age 9+

Cover illustration bu Gabriela Epstein

The Soccer Diaries is a brand new series by award winning author Tom Palmer starring Rocky Race, a British footballer looking to make it big in a US soccer school. Rocky Race is the fourteen year old sister of Roy of the Rovers and she’s determined, ambitious and an excellent football player. In the first book of the series, Rocky Takes LA, Rocky gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a prestigious soccer camp in California, USA. Whilst there Rocky finds herself out of her comfort zone. In addition to trying to make a good impression on the pitch Rocky has to deal with friendship issues, homesickness, her own anxieties and a brand new world with strange rules. Rocky is an inspirational main character being relatable and with a strong sense of right and wrong. Readers will learn from Rocky’s experiences and the manner in which she deals with problems both big and small. Although perfect for football enthusiasts this has a broad appeal and deals with many issues in a matter of fact and positive style. Rocky’s anxiety and grief, the difficulties of having friends with different opinions and attitudes, coping with both the practicalities and emotional aspects of periods and family relationships are all incorporated into the story in a manner that will reassure readers. This is so much more than “a football book”, it’s a story of a girl on the cusp of adulthood not only coping but thriving. Published by Rebellion this month and suitable for 10+.

Cover illustration by David Dean

I am a little late to I Spy, a Bletchley Park Mystery by Rhiannon Tracey published in March by Piccadilly but thoroughly enjoyed this wartime adventure. Twelve-year-old Robyn has grown up in Bletchley Park, where her father works as a driver and there is nothing she likes more than helping her dad in the garages. Then the war begins and everything at Bletchley changes. Robyn is assigned to help with the carrier pigeons that take messages to the Allies. Bletchley is buzzing with people recruited for the war effort and Robyn becomes convinced that there’s something sinister going on within Bletchley Park itself. Children will enjoy the interaction between Robyn and her friends Ned and Mary and trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters. The historical details and inclusion of real people such as Alan Turing and Sir Winston Churchill will fascinate young readers and encourage them to find out more making this a valuable book for school classrooms and libraries.

In case you missed my reviews at the start of the month I would also highly recommend The Secret of the Blood Red Key by David Farr illustrated by Kristina Kister and Skrimsli by Nicola Davies illustrated by Jackie Morris.

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Poetry By Heart 2024 Competition launches on National Poetry Day, 5 October, at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Posted on September 28, 2023 by alibrarylady

After receiving a record-breaking number of entries in 2023, the 2024 Poetry By Heart competition will launch with a special live event at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe on National Poetry Day, Thursday 5 October. Special guests will include the poets Jean Sprackland, also a judge for the competition, and Coral Rumble.

Poetry by Heart is a national poetry speaking competition for schools and colleges in England. It’s also a website for teaching and learning about poetry – by heart and out loud, and with plenty of choice for young people to explore poems and find the ones they love. Founded ten years ago by then Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and current co-director Dr Julie Blake, Poetry By Heart is open to all schools and colleges in England. It invites young people to choose poems they love, learn them by heart and perform them in a school or college performance event. School staff then select students to enter the national round of the competition, submitting videos of their poem performances.

Pupils in Year 3 to Year 13 can enter the national competition but there is nothing to stop schools involving younger pupils in school activities. Participation and registration are free and everyone who registers to take part will receive the Poetry By Heart 2024 competition kit which includes the Poetry By Heart poem-a-month calendar, brand new competition handbook, plus sets of printed posters and resources to use with their pupils.

Julia Blake co-director Poetry By Heart

New for 2024 is a partnership with oracy champion, Voice 21 which sees Poetry By Heart as headline sponsor of the Great Oracy Exhibition taking place on Tuesday 10th October 2023 at Kings House Conference Centre, Manchester. Dr Julie Blake says, ‘Poetry and oracy go hand in hand as Poetry By Heart demonstrates, both in the opportunities the competition creates for public speaking but also in those rich conversations and discussions that happen beforehand as young people choose and explore the poems that speak to them. We are excited to be working with Voice 21, an organisation we admire and whose aims, particularly around equality of opportunity, align with our own.’

The Poetry By Heart launch event at the Sam Wanamaker Theatre is at 11.00am on Thursday 5 October. The 2024 competition closes on Thursday 28th March 2024. For anyone looking for a poem to learn on National Poetry Day, Poetry By Heart recommends Lament of an Arawak Child by Pamela Mordecai.

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Blog Tour: Skrimsli by Nicola Davies illustrated by Jackie Morris.

Posted on September 18, 2023 by alibrarylady

The follow up to the double Carnegie nominated The Song That Sings Us was published in hardback by Firefly Press on 14th September and it is a great pleasure today to kick off the blog tour arranged to coincide with the publication of Skrimsli, a prequel tracing the early days of the sea captain tiger who shone so vividly in the first story.

Compelling, multi-layered and bearing Nicola Davies’ knowledge of and love for our natural world within every page this is an epic adventure weaving together lives and stories in an outstanding work of fiction. Skrimsli is the sort of book one hides away with in order to savour and enjoy both the wonderful characters and its thoughtful themes. It is quite simply unforgettable. The wonderful cover illustration by Jackie Morris, alongside her beautiful chapter headings and, best of all, a map are just perfect for the story.

We follow Skrimsli and his friends Owl and Kat as they endeavour to escape from the evil circus owner, Korbut Majak, stop a war between neighbouring peoples and save an ancient forest. They are helped in their mission by various other people and animals including a desert princess and a tiny dog with a huge heart. There is danger and excitement but also love, loyalty and bravery in abundance. Running through the adventure are the ideas of belonging and purpose, communication and understanding and these combine in an immensely thought provoking read. There is so much to admire and to love about this story as the narrative told from several different characters’ point of view engages the reader and adds to the depth of meaning. The world building and the relationships are both vital to the complex plot and this is an extraordinary tale.

Skrimsli leaps from the pages into readers’ minds and I was struck by the way in which Nicola Davies conveys his fascination with the ocean and with the tiger’s perception of the ship as a living thing. Now reading Nicola’s guest post for the blog tour this aspect of the book means even more!

THE CALL OF THE SEA – Guest Post by Nicola Davies

 

Skrimsli, the tiger sea captain who first made an appearance in The Song that Sings Us, now has almost a whole book to himself. It feels as if I didn’t invent him at all, but discovered him, fully formed when he leapt into the story in The Song That Sings Us.

 

Skrimsli is a particular kind of tiger. In our real world there are nine different subspecies of tiger and the biggest is the Siberian or Amur tiger. It’s this one that Skrimsli is based on. Amur tigers are not creatures of steamy tropical jungles, but of cool, boreal forests where snow falls thick in winter. In the far east, where Amur tigers share their forests with the biggest owls in the world Blakiston’s fish owl (more of them in another post) their forests bound the Sea of Japan and tigers there will walk along the sea shore. But although tigers are competent swimmers, they aren’t creatures of the sea.  So how did Skrimsli end up as the captain of a ship?

 

The answer to that question I’m afraid you’ll just have to read the book, which recounts Skrimsli’s early life until the moment when he becomes captain of the Ice Maiden. But I can answer a different question here, which is why; why have an animal character which ends up doing something which seems against its nature? Why have a creature who’s made for a forest, live on the sea?

 

One of the answers lies in my own life. My parents came from working class families in South Wales. They grew up between two wars and never knew anyone who even owned a dingy. My father always claimed he was the only person to have got sea sick in the canoe sequence of How The West Was Won. I had no experience on anything floating until the moment in my 20th year when I stepped aboard little sailboat called Firenze owned by a young biologist called Hal Whitehead. I was part of the whale studying team that Hal had put together and our job was to survey and study the humpbacked whales cruising the coast of Newfoundland in Eastern Canada. 

 

The weeks I spent aboard Firenze shaped my life ever after. Like Skrimsli, there was something about the sensation of floating on deep water that I found utterly beguiling, magical. Even though I was hideously sea sick almost all the time there are moments from that time that shine like jewels in my heart; the feel of a taut sail at your back stretching white in the sky above you; the moment when the chaos of flapping canvas and flailing ropes resolves into a new course and silent forward motion; the sea sculpted shapes of ice bergs, their feet showing bright turquoise though the water. We sailed though long nights of stormy seas, steering towards the tiny distant light of a harbour whose arms enveloped us in the dawn; we anchored in deep fiords where the rolling backs of porpoises were the only break in the mirror of the surface; we rode giant swells driven by Arctic storms and goose winged our way, hardly moving, over the silk of the ocean under a procession of constellations.  

 

Since then I’ve worked on Hal’s small sailing research boats in the Indian Ocean, the Sea of Cortez and in Dominica. Although I’ve worked on much bigger boats too, expedition cruise ships, there is nothing like being close to the skin of the sea dependent on the wind, under the dark sky at night, in a small sailboat.  

 

Nowadays, my husband and I have a small fishing boat and in summer we drop crab pots and catch mackerel and pootle around the coast within a few miles of our harbour. And even that feels like an adventure; yes, adventure, I think that’s why the sensation of floating on the sea is significant to me because the sea is wild; on it, you are riding on the back of wild beast and it might do anything, you have to keep your wits about you. Also, in theory, once you are on the ocean, the ocean connects everywhere and everything you could go anywhere (although I doubt our little tub Kittiwakewould make it as far as Dublin). So every floating outing is an adventure and I love it.

 

I don’t know where this love of being on a boat came from. No one in my family has it and just like Skrimsli it would seem to be against my nature. So there’s the other reason why I have a tiger seafarer in my books, because we don’t have to do what our background, or our family, or even our own bodies, would seem to dictate. I want my readers to know that we are the makers of our own stories and of our own selves, and we can choose to have adventures.

Thank you Nicola for your inspiring and interesting post and for writing Skrimsli a book that will linger long in my memory.

Please do follow the rest of the blog tour to read more from Nicola Davies and to learn a little about this beautiful creature’s story. I should like to thank the publishers, Firefly Press and Graeme Williams for providing my proof copy and for their assistance in preparing this post.

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The Secret of the Blood Red-Key by David Farr illustrated by Kristina Kister

Posted on September 14, 2023 by alibrarylady

The sequel to the wonderful The Book of Stolen Dreams is as good as we hoped it would be, highlighting once again the bravery of sister and brother, Rachel and Robert Klein and building further on the world of Krasnia and the Hinterland. The Secret of the Blood-Red Key is an exciting and unforgettable adventure exploring many themes in a cinematic and timeless manner. It makes you hope that there will be more to follow!

Cover illustration by Kristina Kister

Can it be two years since the first book in the Stolen Dreams series was published? The Book of Stolen Dreams was one of my favourite children’s books of 2021 and when a sequel was promised I was delighted that we would have the chance to meet Rachel and Robert Klein again. So long to wait I thought then but here we are back in the world of Krasnia and thanks to David Farr’s excellent storytelling within pages I was once again enthralled by this adventure and in particular by the bravery of young Rachel. Over three hundred pages sped by in this thrilling sequel.

The land of Krasnia is now free of the tyrant Charles Malstain thanks to Rachel and Robert, the people are free and children play happily once more in the Brava city streets. But for Rachel things are still a little difficult. Robert is caught up with his new friends and Rachel is left alone to comfort and support her grief stricken father who remains devastated at the loss of his wife. When Rachel tries to tell Robert about a strange boy she has met who has told her that he too knows the secrets of the hidden blood red key he dismisses her concerns and Rachel is left to pursue things alone. As the story progresses Rachel discovers that as a keeper of the key she must help a young girl who has been smuggled into the Hinterland. Once there in the land of the dead Rachel and her new friend are exposed to mounting danger and sinister plotting by evil villains.

There are some truly chilling moments in this epic story. David Farr has cleverly combined characters from The Book of Stolen Dreams with new ones in a plot that at times is both unpredictable and unsettling. There are big themes threaded through the action such as justice and retribution, how people should be judged on their past behaviours and also on the biggest questions about life and death. This is a book that manages to be both exciting and thoughtful. In order to avoid spoilers I’m reluctant to give too much detail about the Hinterland but the author incorporates nods to religion, myth and folklore in the building of this world.

David Farr’s writing enables the reader to see the world he has created and he has clearly drawn on his background as screenwriter and theatre director. Although the setting in this sequel is subtly different to the first book it still feels disturbingly real. As a reader I enjoyed being reunited with Rachel and Robert and by the end of the story cared greatly about new characters such as Elsa and Bobby. As for the villains, both old and new feature and you will have to read the book to find out more!

The fabulous cover and the inside illustrations in this hardback edition are once again by Kristina Kister. The Secret of the Blood-Red Key is published by Usborne Books on 14th September and I should like to thank Fritha Lindqvist very much for my advance copy.

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More Brilliant New Books for Children from Barrington Stoke

Posted on September 4, 2023 by alibrarylady

There are several books coming out this month by one of my favourite publishers, Barrington Stoke. I have read three of them which I think highlight the range they offer to readers of all ages and have shared my thoughts on each of them below.

The Weather Well by Vashti Hardy illustrated by Natalie Smillie

The finale of this popular steam punk inspired series is another thrilling adventure full of clever inventions and a meteorological mystery for our heroes to solve. It is a great way to end these stories set in the world of Griffin Gate and would also work as a stand alone for new readers too.

We meet Grace and Tom again in the height of a summer heatwave but when they answer a call for help from the Griffin map and teleport to Oakwell they land in the middle of a freezing snowstorm. With their trusty companion Watson the mechanical Raven to help them Grace and Tom embark on a mission to find the cause of the strange weather and restore the summer to the town of Oakwell. The adventure encourages children to try to solve the mystery alongside the characters and as the tension mounts young readers will explore themes of friendship and the importance of teamwork. Vashti Hardy gently encourages her readers to understand the importance of tackling problems in small steps and working together using their individual skills. In addition she includes a sensitive depiction of a one-parent family who strengthen their relationship by the end of the book. The appealing cover and the black and white illustrations throughout by Natalie Smillie bring the imaginary world to life for the reader.

Although, as already mentioned, you could read this book without having read the others I feel sure that children would be tempted to find out the back story if they are new to this series. For many young readers that sense of familiarity and reconnecting to old friends as they follow characters through their adventures adds to the enjoyment of reading. The STEM themes are great for encouraging budding inventors too. Suitable for readers aged 9+ and editing ensures that this story can be enjoyed by children with a reading age of 8.

What was it like to be an…Ancient Roman by David Long illustrated by Stefano Tambellini

David Long has a knack of imparting a great deal of information in a concise and readable style and this new title is an excellent book for school libraries and classrooms. Long explores who the Romans were, the origins of their city and their empire and also how they lived, both the rich and the poor, those in cities or countryside. Readers learn about their brilliant inventions and what made their army invincible for so long. The detail is both wide ranging and fascinating.

The information is divided into ten chapters and Tambellini’s illustrations and diagrams are featured throughout the book to good effect. The diagrams detailing the construction of roads and aqueducts are particularly helpful and the illustrations of forts and farms add to the readers’ understanding. Children will learn a great deal from how farmers grew crops to the influence of religion over the years and in the final chapters also discover what brought about the downfall of the Roman Empire and the their lasting legacy today.

This is an immensely readable book and one that would be extremely useful to teachers teaching the subject of Ancient Rome as both a resource for the children and a useful starting point for updating their own knowledge. Highly recommended and as with all books published by Barrington Stoke it is presented in an accessible format making it suitable for all readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Welcome to Camp Killer by Cynthia Murphy

One of the best things about books published by Barrington Stoke is that the top authors who write for them are able to to produce a big story in a relatively few pages. Cynthia Murphy is the author of the bestselling YA horror title Win Lose Kill Die and the award wining Last One to Die. Her first book for Barrington Stoke crams thrills, twists and tension into a fast paced, gripping story of only 120 pages or so.

Set in an American style residential camp taking place in the grounds of an English stately home this has an unsettling atmosphere from the first chapter on. The teenage instructors are all new to their role and the ghost story based on a tragedy that took place in the grounds quickly sets the tone for a series of events. At first these are merely unexplained sightings and strange accidents but as tension mounts, along with the death toll, the reader is sucked in to something very sinister indeed.

I read this in one sitting and thankfully on a sunny afternoon but this would be perfect for dark winter evenings or spooky Halloween events. As long as readers are braver than I am! The plot hurtles along and I was gripped and I’m not usually a horror fan. I have read this described as ‘Point Horror for today’s teens’ and am struggling to think of a better tag line. This is a clever blend of murder thriller and supernatural mystery which adds to the enjoyment. Cynthia Murphy has quite possibly converted me to the genre. Welcome to Camp Killer is suitable for readers of 13+ and is accessible to those with a reading age of 8.

I should like to thank Poppy McLean and Barrington Stoke for providing my review copies of these books all of which are published on 7th September.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news – back to school

Posted on September 2, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to the first Reading Matters of the new school year. I hope everyone has enjoyed a good summer however you spent the time and that those working in education enjoyed a well earned rest. Perhaps you are new to the joys of reading children’s books, if so I hope that Reading Matters will be helpful.

Regular readers of this blog will know that this news update has been published on a weekly basis during term time since I first started it three and a half years ago. Changes to my commitments mean that I don’t think I will be able to continue on this basis. The needs of my 92 year old Dad and my very nearly 1 year old grandson are top of my list and therefore I’m planning on trying to provide a monthly Reading Matters newsletter in future instead. This does all rather depend on the 92 year old and the 1 year old fitting in with my plans! I’ve enjoyed being part of the children’s book community so much that it’s hard to ‘let go’ so I hope to post occasional reviews too and maybe share what ‘Tiny Tommo’ is enjoying. He already has a big library! I hope that this will work for those who have used Reading Matters in the past and am extremely grateful for the lovely feedback, the kind comments and the rewarding book chat.

What I’m reading…

My good intentions to make a serious dent in my huge reading mountain weren’t quite as successful as I had originally hoped but nonetheless I have read some great books over the summer. My summer reading round up includes titles for everyone from tinies to teens and all of them were an enjoyable read for me.

One reason that I will never clear my ‘to review’ list is that I’m unable to resist temptation and find myself buying books too. In the case of Nightjar by Katya Balen I’m ever so glad that I did. It was one of my favourite summer reads. A beautiful story of mending a broken bird and mending a broken relationship between father and son too. The atmospheric illustrations by Richard Johnson are just right for the fabulous writing. Another gem from Barrington Stoke.

There are many fabulous books for children being published in September and one that I would recommend is Finding Wonder by Lauren St John. Featuring stunning cover artwork by Levi Pinfold and interior illustrations by Marie-Alice Harel, this is a perfectly plotted mystery with a love of horses and a compassionate exploration of families threaded through its pages. A wonderful adventure full of hope and positivity and simply perfect for horse lovers. It is published by Faber on 7th September.

Turning to new information books All Bodies are Wonderful by Beth Cox and illustrated by Samantha Meredith is a helpful exploration of all aspects of the human body full of positivity and presented in an engaging style. Brimful of facts, thoughtful comment and advice it shows that differences are completely natural because they are caused by science. Encouraging and inclusive this would be an excellent addition to primary school libraries being useful for both curriculum teaching and for prompting discussion. This was published by B Small Publishing on 1st September with design by Vicky Barker and expert consultation provided by Professor Deborah MacKay.

News, articles and resources…

The Literacy Year: Calendar of Events – this resource from the Literacy Hive is such a useful starting point for anyone interested in children’s books. Sian Hardy has collated an extensive range of events, awards, initiatives and more on a database that is searchable by resource type, age, area and cost. The website is also worth bookmarking for future reference with helpful information and advice on the regular blog.

Jon Biddle’s Reading for Pleasure Padlet – another fabulous resource from this reading for pleasure guru! The recently updated Diverse Picture Book Assemblies and ideas for staff meetings sections will be immensely useful to schools and the rest of the Padlet includes free to download reading surveys, classroom reading ideas, links to articles and many valuable suggestions.

Library Lesson Resource Pack – this is an absolutely brilliant resource from former school librarian of the year Lucas Maxwell. A year’s worth of library lessons for children aged 11/12 in one pack plus bonus resources aimed at helping librarians promote themselves and connect with staff. A huge thank you to Lucas for generously creating and sharing this.

Unpacking the DfE Reading Framework for School Librarians – there has been a great deal of online discussion regarding the new Reading Framework and its implications. It is disheartening that there has been little mention of school librarians and their role in this process. Collaboration between teachers and school librarians is important if we want children to become ‘readers’ and not only able to read. I am extremely impressed by this blogpost by fellow Surrey SLA committee member Cathi Woods and school library consultant Elizabeth Hutchinson. The downloadable guide is also brilliant. A vital read for school librarians and a post I hope teachers read too.

Be Inspired by … Sally Hamerton: Primary School Librarian of the Year 2023 – Do you need inspiration for making the most of your primary school library? Join Primary School Librarian of the Year 2023 Sally Hamerton as she shares her top tips for making an impact and what has worked well in her school. Hear what can be achieved with limited time and resources and Sally will answer your questions. There will also be an opportunity to hear how Authors Abroad (sponsors of the award) can support your school. 2:00 – 3:00pm Tuesday 12th September online.

Book Trust: Books We Love in September 2023 – each month the Book Trust team select some of their favourite books for a range of ages. The titles for September are excellent, including some such as Finding Wonder and I Am You Are, both of which I’d recommend too. I’ve read lots of good things about The Final Year which on my wish list.

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels – A very grumpy toddler; poems for the planet; ancient demons unleashed; and a moving YA trafficking tale are amongst Imogen Russell Williams’ latest selection of new books for children of all ages. Imogen’s regular reviews are well worth looking out for.

World Kid Lit Month – World Kid Lit guest editor Charlotte Graver shares some tips on how to travel the world with kidlit in September, the annual celebration and promotion of world literature for children. We have the chance to explore the world through books for children and teens. Where will you travel to by book? This helpful website includes book lists, links to books by country and information about translated texts. There is a special section highlighting resources for libraries.

Reading is Magic Festival – the Reading is Magic Festival is returning in October. Many writers, illustrators and poets including Cressida Cowell, Benjamin Dean, David Almond and Elle McNicoll are taking part in the five-day festival which will be beamed straight into schools and homes across the globe. The festival guide can be found on the link above and provides event information, resources and accessibility details.

Love My Books – this site contains a wealth of free resources linked to wonderful children’s books. It is for parents, carers, teachers, schools, and early years staff, created by literacy experts. Free and ad free with over 250 activity pages full of creative book-based ideas. Definitely worth a browse and signing up to receive the regular newsletter too.

CLPE’s Back To School Support 2023 – CLPE’s teaching team have created a FREE, 2 week long, whole school unit of work for Early Years through to Year 6. The notes will use the book In Our Hands by Lucy Farfort (Tate Publishing) to inspire children and teachers to understand what ‘In Our Hands’ means.

Klaus Flugge Prize Shortlist Videos – the winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize will be announced in Wednesday 13th September. You can find out more about the creation of the shortlisted books in some special videos created by the illustrators and shared on the Klaus Flugge Prize YouTube channel above.

Nikki Gamble has some fabulous free online events organised this month that are just right for anyone interested in children’s books. Details of each are given below and you can book any or all that take your fancy via the links.

An evening with Annelise Gray – Zephyr & Just Imagine invite you to an evening with Annelise Gray to celebrate the publication of Circus Maximus: Rider of the Storm. Annalise will be in conversation with Nikki Gamble 6th September 2023 7.00 – 8.00 pm. This event is for adults, but children may watch with you.

An evening with Nicola Davies & Petr Horacek – Otter-Barry Books & Just Imagine invite you to an evening with Nicola Davies & Petr Horacek to celebrate the publication of The Star Whale. This free online event in which Nicola and Petr will be in conversation with Nikki Gamble takes place on Thursday 7th September from 7-8pm and promises to be a treat.

An evening with Dave Shelton – David Fickling Books & Just Imagine invite you to an evening with Dave Shelton to celebrate the publication of Monster in the Woods. Dave will be in conversation with Nikki Gamble on 14th September 2023 7.00 – 8.00 pm in this free online event. This event is for adults, but children may watch with you.

An evening with Philip Reeve – David Fickling Books & Just Imagine invite you to an evening with Philip Reeve to celebrate the publication of his new book, Utterly Dark and the Tides of Time. This free event takes place on 21st September from 7 – 8pm.

An evening with AF Harrold & Dom Conlon – Otter-Barry Books & Just Imagine invite you to an evening with AF Harrold & Dom Conlon to celebrate the launch of Welcome to Wild Town. This event takes place on Thursday 28th September from 7-8pm.

Free virtual author events with the ReadingZone Bookclub – The ReadingZone Bookclub is aimed at classrooms and libraries that are keen to develop a love of reading and the events are aimed at students aged five to 12 years. These events are open to schools and classrooms, and are free to join. Each event includes a half hour author event, followed by an author Q&A via Chat. This term’s authors include Sophie McKenzie, Tracy Corderoy and Steven Lenton, AF Harold, Atinuke and Natasha Farrant

5 top tips from SF Said on making every child a reader – SF Said’s time as Book Trust’s Writer in Residence has flown by and has been marked by so much good advice. He will be a hard act to follow! These top tips are well worth saving and using as a guide to help you encourage the children in your care to enjoy reading.

The Reader Teacher August 2023 Must Reads – Scott Evans compiles a list of his favourite reads each month and provides a free to download poster too. I love the look of the picturebook, Doris.

Discover Irish Kids Books – this new initiative has progressed quickly over the last few weeks. The aim of Discover Irish Children’s Books is to highlight and celebrate Irish children’s books. Champion of Irish children’s books, Sarah Webb, has increasingly realised that the Irish children’s top ten bestseller list rarely features ANY Irish books. In creating the Discover Irish Children’s Books campaign, Sarah hopes to fix this situation by bringing Irish children’s books and their authors and illustrators to the attention of young readers and their grown ups. She has brought together a crack team of children’s book experts to help. The brand new website is extremely comprehensive and well worth exploring to learn more.

The Reader Teacher September 2023: The Reader Teacher Books I’m Most Excited About – another tempting selection from Scott Evans highlighting some of the best books being published this month.

The Island of Brilliant with Katherine Rundell – Frank Cottrell Boyce and Nadia Shireen chat with award winning author Katherine Rundell in the latest edition of this podcast. Emily Drabble of Book Trust recommends some new books to try too. I’ve earmarked this to listen to over the weekend.

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye recently…

Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third – when Ben Harris rates a book highly I always pay attention and this superb review has whetted my appetite to find out more about this one. Definitely one for graphic novel fans and will probably convert others to the format too.

Books and the People Who Make Them by Stéphanie Vernet and Camille de Cussac, translated by Paul Kelly – this sounds like the perfect book for bibliophiles of any age. Veronica Price’s positive review suggests this is a must buy and perfect for school libraries.

That’s everything for this week and for this month. I hope that this bumper back to school issue will be helpful to you. Good luck to everyone as the children return to school, I hope it goes well for the staff, the parents and the children. This weekend I’m hoping to finish reading The Secret of the Blood Red Key by David Farr which is brilliant so far. I’m also going to be sorting out the baby book shelf! See you next month for more Reading Matters but do look out for some reviews and updates before then.

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Finding Wonder by Lauren St John

Posted on August 31, 2023 by alibrarylady

Featuring stunning cover artwork by Levi Pinfold and interior illustrations by Marie-Alice Harel, Finding Wonder by Lauren St John is a perfectly plotted mystery with a love of horses and a compassionate exploration of families threaded through its pages. A wonderful adventure full of hope and positivity and simply perfect for horse lovers.

Cover image Levi Pinfold

Within just a few pages Lauren St James propels her readers into a dramatic turn of events for this story’s likeable protagonist, Roo. We swiftly find out that 11 year-old Roo’s mother has died a few years ago and then her dad dies whilst out buying a lottery ticket. Now orphaned Roo feels like the unluckiest girl in the world. Until she discovers a letter from her Dad, a letter which urges her to ‘Grab life by the wings and fly.’ With the help of her aunt, Joni, Roo sets out to buy her dream horse – a beautiful show jumper named Wonder Boy. Then Wonder vanishes without a trace. Determined to save him, Roo and Joni investigate his disappearance. But as the mystery deepens and more prize horses are stolen, the pair find themselves drawn into a thrilling, but dangerous, adventure.

The attention grabbing opening ensures the reader swiftly connects with Roo and cares about her but then, I felt, the story does not follow the path I initially expected. As the well paced plot transports aunt and niece around the country as they attempt to foil the horse thieves we also witness the effects of their past experiences and their losses on them both. Rather than exploring the life changing aspect of a lottery win Lauren St John guides readers through Roo and Joni’s gradual bonding and their joint discovery of what matters to them individually and as a family.

The mystery itself is well written with moments of high drama and excitement and clues scattered throughout with some intriguing characters and plot twists deployed along the way. The author’s knowledge and love of horses is apparent throughout and the horses are in many ways the stars of the story. All of this combines in an excellent satisfying read but it is the optimism, the wisdom and the kind tone encouraging understanding of others that gives this book its real heart. An exciting story and an uplifting one too.

Finding Wonder is published on 7th September and I should like to thank Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for my proof copy. You can find out more about Lauren and her books on her newly updated website.

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Children’s Books: A Summer Reading Round Up

Posted on August 29, 2023 by alibrarylady

In the absence of my weekly Reading Matters news letter I decided to take the opportunity to tackle my mountains of books that I had not had time to read. Did I succeed? Well, almost! There are still many wonderful books waiting to be read but I have read some special ones over the last few weeks so I thought I’d recommend just some that you may have missed.

Lulu’s Nana Visits by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw (Alanna Max) is a perfect book to encourage very young children to discover the joy of sharing books and stories. A carefully structured story highlighting the importance of traditions and cultural identity and bursting with joy and enthusiasm for family connections and loving relationships, this is an absolute delight. Text and illustrations work together beautifully in this latest book in the Lulu series and, as we have come to expect from this partnership, encourage chat and involvement between child and parent or teacher as they share the story.

There is plenty here that little people will recognise and engage with and the vibrant pictures reinforce the message of family bonding and loving inter-generational relationships even when members live far apart. The family spends the week doing different activities like shopping for presents for family back in Tanzania, having dance parties, and learning how to make Nana’s special mandazi doughnuts.

There are so many little thoughtful touches included and the range of activities that the family participate in explore traditions and cultural background enabling children to either recognise their own lives or learn about other children’s. The emphasis on sharing is simply lovely and this is such a comforting book for little people and for their adults too. Full of joy, love and family togetherness this is a must buy for early years settings and libraries for children aged 3+.

Anisha Accidental Detective: Beach Disaster (Usborne Books) is the latest book in this popular, award winning series by Serena Patel and Emma McCann. A winning combination of mystery, humour and friendship in a story exploring environmental themes this is a brilliant holiday read but definitely one that will be enjoyed any time of year. This time we join Anisha and her friends as they embark on their long awaited Year 6 residential trip to the coast where they are going to learn about animal habitats. They are looking forward to three days away from grownups and hoping to win the local environmental competition. Cue the decision by Anisha’s Granny Jas to come along as a chaperone and then attempt to sabotage the children’s entries to the competition. Anisha is soon involved in an attempt to solve the mystery and ensure success for their project.

This jolly adventure is fast paced and full of fun with a likeable protagonist in Anisha who is immensely relatable for young readers. There are clues, plot twists and intrigue to engage, themes of family, friendship and overcoming problems to reassure and a thoughtful exploration of environmental themes too. The book is illustrated throughout by Emma McCann and her entertaining and amusing touch adds to the overall enjoyment. A brilliant book to tempt readers of about 7 and over and a great series to encourage young readers.

Welcome to Dead Town Raven McKay (Everything With Words) is an astonishing debut by Eibhlís Carcione illustrated in gothic style throughout by Ewa Beniak-Haremska and a magical tale for readers who enjoy ghost stories with a mythical touch. When her parents disappear, 12 -year-old Raven McKay is put into foster care with Kitty Stromsoe in the town of Grave’s Pass. It’s not an ordinary town. It’s a town where the living and the dead live side by side and old mistrusts and jealousies lurk beneath the surface. All her parents have left Raven is a battered beige suitcase with a faded black butterfly sticker and a note saying not to open the suitcase until the right time. Raven struggles to resist temptation and to know who she can trust in this strange town.

There is an hypnotic feel to this unusual story with its sinister characters and its deliciously spooky setting with Beniak-Haremska’s stunning illustrations conveying the evil in some style. Even the most mundane of activities such as clothes shopping is imbued with danger and uncertainty in the world of Grave’s Pass. As the plot develops the thrills mount and the grotesque characters increase as the reader wills Raven on in her quest to find out what has happened to her parents. This is a highly original book combining a ghostly thriller with a exploration of loss for readers of about 11 upwards.

Rhubarb Lemonade by Oskar Kroon translated by A. A. Prime ( Hot Key Books) a YA novel originally published in Swedish won the Swedish Arts’ Council August Prize in 2019 and also the 2021 Dutch Vlag en Wimpel award for children aged 12 – 15. Kroon tells the story of Vinga, a girl who feels different to her classmates and dreams of one day becoming a sailor exploring different faraway lands and seas. Distressed by the break up of her parents’ marriage Vinga spends the long hot summer with her Grandpa on the island where he lives and finds comfort in his easy pace of life and the beauty of her surroundings. When a new girl arrives on the island Vinga is wary but gradually a friendship forms with Ruth, a girl so different from herself, and slowly their friendship develops into something more.

This compelling novel highlights the difficulties and insecurities faced by young people on the cusp of adolescence, the awkwardness and also the urge to discover and experience more. The relationship between Vinga and her Grandpa is beautifully drawn conveying their special bond so well. The slightly unusual writing style is both tender and unsettling in turn covering themes of divorce, bereavement, first love and LGBT relationships making this a book for a teen audience of about 14+. A little different to my usual reading choices but Rhubarb Lemonade is a poignant story that will linger in my mind.

The Mind-Blowing World of Extraordinary Competitions by Anna Goldfield and Hannah Riordan (Neon Squid) details the range of challenges that people have competed in through the ages and across the world from the brave to the humorous from the creative to the downright strange. This is the sort of information book that will appeal to lovers of books such as Guinness Book of World Records, a large compendium to be shared and talked about.

Starting with events that date back thousands of years such as Chinese dragon boat racing and ‘wine slinging’ in Ancient Greece readers will learn about the origins and traditions of many sporting events including the Highland Games and African wrestling. Each competition is given a double page spread and the accompanying illustrations are clear with additional detail being provided in text boxes. The presentation encourages browsing but the contents page and index enables reader to look up specific items too. There are competitions involving animals including sheep counting, camel beauty contests and the fattest bear (yes, really!). The section on challenges in mythology is interesting and there are challenges that youngsters may be tempted to try such as air guitar or growing giant vegetables. Lots here to entertain but readers will learn at the same time. I can see this being popular in school libraries for Upper Juniors onwards.

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New Children’s Books for Summer Holiday Reading

Posted on August 2, 2023 by alibrarylady

The Attack of the Robot Librarians by Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson illustrated by Robin Boyden and Katie Kear

If the young readers in your life enjoy funny, madcap adventures then The Attack of the Robot Librarians is sure to be a hit with them. Pitched at readers of about 8+ this has all the ingredients that appeal to many; children challenging and (spoiler alert!) defeating the baddies, heaps of humour, a fast paced plot and an unlikely but strong friendship at its heart. The jolly illustrations throughout are an added bonus adding to the fun and breaking up the text for those who may find pages of dense text a little daunting.

The second in the Tuchus and Topps Investigate series sees our heroes, Agatha and Lenny, return to try to get to the bottom of the mysterious goings on at Little Strangehaven Primary. Sinister robot owl librarians with laser eyes, Mr Whip the new fearsome PE teacher and new pedal powered desks are just some of the challenges our intrepid young detectives face as they try to stop Ms Pamela Stranglebum and her sinister plans, with the help of their Scottish gargoyle pal Gregor.

The dual narrative works well highlighting the very different personalities of the organised and competitive Agatha and the enthusiastic but accident prone Lenny. Their differing viewpoints and misunderstandings add to the fun and despite the chaos and jokes ultimately there is loyalty and kindness in their partnership and a thoughtful message about the importance of teamwork. (Published by Puffin on 6th June.) Thank you to Lindsay Sethia for my review copy.

Mysteries at Sea: Peril on the Atlantic by A. M. Howell

Cover artwork by Marco Guadalupi

Peril on the Atlantic is the first in a new series by award winning author A.M. Howell and will have young readers eagerly awaiting the next two stories, due to be published next year. This reminded me in the best possible way of my own childhood favourites, the well paced plot is reminiscent of the Famous Five adventures with a dash of Tintin for added international flavour.

Set in 1936 we accompany Alice as she joins her father aboard the Queen Mary as it sets sail across the Atlantic to New York. As her staff captain father concentrates on beating a sailing record Alice slips away to explore the ship without his knowledge and witnesses a shocking attack. Together with her new friend Sonny, Alice attempts to identify the perpetrator by solving a series of clues and as the two children gradually unravel the mystery they also unearth secrets in their own lives. Setting a crime within a closed circle such as a ship is a familiar plot device and it works well here as this cleverly constructed and well paced story is not predictable adding greatly to the enjoyment.

The inclusion of historical detail is incorporated in such a way that it supports the exciting adventure rather than dominates the action. It does however give the book an extra depth. Alice’s conversations with Pearl, a stewardess who survived the Titanic disaster bring home the fear that many passengers may have felt aboard a large ship at that time. Fellow passengers aboard the Queen Mary also include a Jewish family escaping from the growing turmoil and danger in Germany and this aspect is thoughtfully handled. There are light moments too, such as the inclusion of Fred Astaire dancing his way along the railings as a nod to the celebrities who regularly travelled on this famous ship in the 1930s.

Peril on the Atlantic is just the type of book that the ten year old me would have devoured and I’ve a feeling that this could turn today’s ten year olds into bookworms too. Last but not least the setting up for the second book in the series is masterly in its execution! The first in the Mysteries at Sea series is published by Usborne Books on 3rd August and highly recommended. Thank you very much to Fritha Lindqvist for my review copy.

The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle illustrated by Kim Geyer

Cover illustration by Kim Geyer

It’s refreshing to read children’s fiction set in a time period that doesn’t often feature in stories for young readers and Judith Eagle’s latest mystery adventure is set in 1950’s London. With plenty of twists and turns and different threads brought together in a satisfying conclusion The Stolen Songbird has enough excitement to keep youngsters turning the pages over the holidays.

When Caro’s mother disappears whilst overseas on a theatre tour Caro is dispatched to the care of her Great Aunt Mary, a grumpy old lady who she has never met. Worse still Caro is not allowed to take her beloved pet rabbit, His Nibs with her. Once at her Aunt’s Caro discovers a mysterious painting of a thrush in her suitcase with no clue to where it came from. Caro now finds herself hiding her rabbit from her Great Aunt and trying to find the owners of the painting of the songbird before criminals steal it.

Judith Eagle combines a traditional mystery with clues, red herrings and truly dreadful baddies with a family mystery that Caro gradually solves with the help of her friends. There are some references that neatly place the story in its time period such as Caro’s friend Horace’s admiration of the young Yves St Laurent and the teddy boys who lurk near the pub run by Caro’s mum and these are balanced with modern sensibilities.

Kim Geyer has provided the chapter heading illustrations and these add to the period feel and she has, I think, captured Caro’s determined and sparky character. (Published by Faber on 3rd August.) I should like to thank Bethany Carter for my review copy.

Sweet Skies by Robin Scott- Elliot

Cover by Holly Ovenden

Sweet Skies combines cracking storytelling, interesting historical detail and fascinating characters in a tale of bravery, survival and growing up in post war Berlin. Robin Scott-Elliot’s fourth historical novel was inspired by a conversation with his mother who lived in Berlin in the 1950s as a child and, prompted by her vivid memories and news reels of the time, this tense and exciting story has an authentic feel which adds to the reader’s enjoyment.

In Berlin in 1948 fourteen year old Otto wants to be pilot more than anything else in the world. The city is blockaded by the Soviets with the Americans flying food and supplies in to the citizens and Otto and his friends, Ilse and Klaus, are captivated by these heroic, charming figures and the chocolate and treats they drop for the hungry children. The three teenagers are surviving in the ruined city each of them scarred physically, emotionally or both by the effects of the recent war. Against this backdrop Otto makes choices that endanger him and his friends but also enable him to eventually understand himself and his family better.

The plot of Sweet Skies is thrilling and full of excitement, danger and betrayal but balanced by well rounded and interesting characters. The interactions, conversations and friendship between the young people convey the emotions, trauma, fear and frustration they have experienced without melodrama which, I think, increases the impact. It is also interesting to have a viewpoint from the German side of World War 2 and in the immediate aftermath too. An utterly gripping story suitable for readers from about 11 years upwards this is equally suitable for home bookshelves and school libraries. (Published on 6th July by Everything With Words.)

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