Christmas Picture Books for Young Children

Posted on November 17, 2023 by alibrarylady

Sometimes Christmas preparations can feel a little overwhelming. This selection of picturebooks take a sometimes humorous and sometimes reflective look at problems and how to resolve them. A robot reindeer, a robin with criminal tendencies, friendship tested and preparations changed feature in the selection reviewed below but all, thankfully, have a happy festive ending.

Merry Whatmas? by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar

What is Christmas all about? Fox thinks it’s about presents, Badger is concentrating on the food and Magpie is thinking about singing while preparing, the Mice are keen on Christmas jumpers and Rabbit knows everything must be perfect! Poor Hedgehog and Tortoise are feeling that it is all just a bit too much. Tortoise even wants to get away from it all. But then wise Owl explains that Christmas is all about being with the ones you love and the two little friends realise that he is right. The delightful ending is both soothing and calming.

Merry Whatmas? is an utterly lovely book to share with children in the run up to Christmas and many little ones will recognise Hedgehog and Tortoise from the previous books in this popular series too. Text and illustrations work together creating a bedtime read with an important message. It would also be a delight to read in Early Years settings. Published by Faber.

Santa’s New Reindeer by Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwells

Santa has a problem. There is only one week until Christmas and it is frantically busy in his workshop but then disaster strikes when Rudolph crashes through the roof spraining his hoof on the way. Now there are only seven reindeer to pull Santa’s sleigh and he will never be able to deliver the presents in time! A search begins to find a suitable replacement for Rudolph and a cheetah, zebra, hare, moose and others are all discarded as not appropriate. Then Head Engineer Lizzie comes to the rescue with her Robot Reindeer. Is her invention up to the job?

This is great fun, with a bouncy rhyming text to read aloud and bright, merry illustrations with child appeal. It is the third in a series following Santa’s New Beard and Santa’s New Sleigh and will no doubt be a hit in both schools and homes. Published by Faber.

The Robin Who Stole Christmas by Rachel Morrisroe and Richard Merritt

Robins have a long and popular association with Christmas. This robin is rather different. Rotten Robin, the world’s most wanted criminal, hates Christmas and has hatched a plan to steal it aided by his gang of feathered friends. Everything must go, the decorations, the mince pies and even Santa. However Rotten Robin and his accomplices have not taken into account that the good robins are determined to foil his cunning plan. When he is forced to give back everything that he has stolen he realises that giving and sharing creates a rather different feeling than he was expecting.

In this humorous and entertaining story Rotten Robin is not quite changed from James Bond Villain to saint but he does learn an important lesson and this book does highlight the value of sharing and giving at Christmas time. The illustrations made me smile being full of clever little touches and the expressions on the characters are brilliant. A book with an appeal to children aged 3+ published by Puffin Books.

Christmas Cobwebs by Pippa Goodhart and Ema Maliauka

Old Bear is feeling nostalgic about Christmas and wants to recreate the magical day she remembers from when she was a cub for all her friends. She busies herself around the house preparing, cleaning and cooking. The large tree outside her house is perfect to decorate for the special celebration. Finally she is ready, the colourful paper chains are up, the tree looks glorious, and the biscuits are iced. The invitations are sent to all her friends and the spiders have been banished from the spotless house. But while Old Bear sleeps the spiders, sad that they are not invited, are busy spinning their wonderful webs. When Old Bear wakes she is horrified at the sight but her friends see only the beauty of the spiders’ work.

Christmas Cobwebs has a nostalgic charm that captures the traditional feel of a homely Christmas. The muted illustrations match the warmth of the book’s message and this magical tale of acceptance may prompt conversation about respecting others. It is a kind story. Published by Tiny Owl Books.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on November 4, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this latest round up of what has been happening in the world of children’s books over the last month, plus details of some book related events to look forward to. There has been such a wide range of articles, discussions and comment over the last few weeks that it would be impossible to include it all but I do hope that this selection of links and reviews will be helpful to you.

What I’m reading…

My October reading included spies and a wartime mystery, a storytelling mouse, nature activities and fun for every season and perfect picture books for encouraging creative play and overcoming shyness. I reviewed them here and I hope there is something among the titles that is suitable for the young readers in your life. This week I read Glassborn by Peter Bunzl and was immersed in the story from the first pages. This standalone sequel to Magicborn, is a treat of a read. A story in the best tradition of children’s literature, a magical, historical fantasy tale of riddles and curses, secrets, spells and excitement set in an icy world ruled by a wicked Fairy Queen and featuring four brave children. Glassborn is a captivating story with literary connections to Narnia and Bronte and containing so much hope in its pages.

News, articles and resources…

Book Trust: SF Said talk and Q&A – it’s not too late to register for this free online event for schools taking place next Friday 10th November at 2pm. Suitable for: Year groups 5, 6 and 7 and with subtitles available two days after the recording. SF Said will tell the story of how he went from being a young reader like the children to writing award-winning books such as Tyger, Phoenix and Varjak Paw, which was listed by BookTrust as one of the 100 best children’s books of the past 100 years. His talk will include material about his own childhood reading, insights into the writing process, a reading from Tyger, and a live Q&A at the end.

National Non-Fiction November – National Non-Fiction November is the Federation of Children’s Book Groups’ annual celebration of all things factual. Born out of National Non-Fiction Day, the brain child of Adam Lancaster during his years as Chair, the whole month now celebrates all those readers that have a passion for information and facts and attempts to bring non fiction celebration in line with those of fiction.The theme this year is ‘Wonderful Water’ and you can download a list of suggested titles here. There is a competition for children to enter too, lots of events around the country and a blog tour to follow. Chris Routh’s welcome above tells you all about it.

Remembrance 2023: teaching resources and activities – the National Literacy Trust are partnering with Royal British Legion again this year on a programme of events and resources to support Remembrance teaching and learning in schools. These include: A live assembly on Friday 10 November and new resources to support learning in the classroom. They also have book club resources based on age-appropriate stories to help children explore themes of Remembrance, and to develop core reading comprehension skills.

Remembrance Day Resources from Tom Palmer – This year’s Remembrance Sunday will be marked on 12th November, with Armistice Day on Saturday 11th November 2023. To help schools mark the occasion and link it to developing literacy in the classroom, award winning author Tom Palmer will be offering FREE resources for schools to use based around his books. These include a video assembly message, a signed certificate and a free story to download with linked resources.

Educating for Empathy:the reading factor – online conference – on 5th December EmpathyLabUK are running the first ever conference focused exclusively on using literature to build empathy. In partnership with the University of Sussex and St Matthews Research School it features a line up of the country’s leading psychology, empathy and literacy experts. The conference explores how to harness reading’s power to build empathy understanding and skills. You will take away a rich understanding of the evidence base for using reading to build empathy, practical tools and next steps to deepen empathy education work. Although the Early Bird offer has now finished you can still book tickets and found out more about this excellent CPD via the link above.

Empathy Action Month is here! – prior to the conference highlighted above EmpathyLabUK are inviting you to join them all through the month of November to put empathy into action, and be inspired by stories. Every Wednesday, catch exclusive videos featuring incredible authors, illustrators & schools! New content available now including book lists and author video read-alouds.

CLPE’s October’s New Books Round-Up – Each month CLPE’s Librarian, Phoebe Demeger, reveals some of her favourite books she has recently added to their Literacy Library. This month’s selection includes Zeki Hikes With Daddy (also highly recommended by my grandson!) and All Bodies are Wonderful, an inclusive, informative and empowering guide to bodies, plus Katya Balen’s latest.

Puffin Autumn Term Virtual Author Visits – Real-life authors and illustrators will be streamed live into classrooms across the country via Zoom, with the chance for pupils to put their questions directly to the creators (sent in advance of the event). It is still possible to book for sessions with Jamie Littler, author of Arkspire. Ages 7 – 11, Vashti Harrison, author of BIG. Ages 4 – 8 and Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart, creators of You Choose Christmas. Ages 3+

Festivals and Celebrations: Or, How To Really Pronounce Reading Festival – we will soon be heading into winter festival season. In his latest blog for Just Imagine, Roy Moss reflects on some considerations that we can bear in mind when introducing these topics into our classrooms. Some excellent book recommendations included too.

World Kindness Day National Literacy Trust Resources – the National Literacy Trust has partnered with Penguin Random House UK and Charlie Mackesy to create KS1/P2-3 and KS2/P4-P7 cross-curricular literacy and PSHE resources to help you celebrate World Kindness Day on Monday 13 November. The suite of resources explore Charlie Mackesy’s powerful, illustrated book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and help pupils to explore the importance of being kind to others as well as themselves. They can be downloaded via the link above.

The Diverse Book Awards Winners Announced – From 160 books to 4 the judges decided on their winners of The Diverse Book Awards including their first picture book winner, Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane. Many congratulations to all the winners. You can discover the winners in each category plus the long and shortlisted titles on the official website above.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award – A total of 245 candidates from 68 countries have been nominated for the 2024 award, including 66 candidates new from previous years. The list includes authors and illustrators, as well as storytellers and reading promoters. The laureate will be announced on 9 April 2024. The nominations for the UK included authors and illustrators such as David Almond, Malorie Blackman, Quentin Blake and Neil Gaiman plus organisations such as the Bookmark charity and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education.

Children’s and teens’ roundup: the best new picture books and novels – A celebration of family; a guide to animal languages; Stonehenge spells; classroom crises; and dreams of becoming an alchemist are among the books reviewed by Imogen Russell Williams in her latest round up for the Guardian.

Julia Eccleshare’s Picks of the Month – Each month Julia Eccleshare, a leading authority in children’s literature, chooses a small selection of her favourites from the month. They will be generally new releases but occasionally she may select a new edition of a firm favourite and we will list them here. All are highly recommended with Julia’s seal of approval.

The Reader Teacher Monthly Must Reads for October – Scott Evans has chosen his five favourite children’s books published over the last month in different categories so there is something here to tempt a wide range of interests.

BookTrust research highlights the importance of multiple ‘reading influencers’ – Findings from the BookTrust Family Survey show what a difference it makes when children are read to by lots of different people. The research finds that the more people in a child’s life who are involved in influencing their reading, the more likely the child is to become a keen independent reader.

A Treatise on the State of Middle Grade and Young Adult Publishing Today – an article by librarian Karen Jensen for the School Library Journal: Teen Librarian Toolbox which although US based in content will be of interest to anyone involved in what world of children’s books in any capacity.

Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2023 – Shortlist Announced- perfectly timed for National Non-Fiction November! The Young People’s Book Prize celebrates the best science books for under-14s, highlighting books that communicate science to young people in creative and accessible ways. You can find out more about the award, the shortlist and how children can get involved in the article on the Literacy Hive website linked above.

Establishing a Primary School Library – SLA Member Development Librarian and former manager of Worcestershire County Council SLS, Dawn Woods, shares her vast expertise on how to establish a successful primary school library in this new publication from the School Library Association. It costs £15 for non-members and £12.50 for members and would be particularly useful for education professionals based in a primary school planning to establish a school library, or those looking to enhance their existing one.

The Reader Teacher Books I’m Most Excited About November 2023 – Scott Evans’ selection of books being published in November include Peter Bunzl’s Glassborn, mentioned above, a lovely new information book for young children Little, Brown Nut (Start Small, Think Big) by Mary Auld and Dawn Cooper and the poignant picturebook, Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith.

Christmas History Special: WWII Arctic Star 80th Anniversary – A Christmas History Special this December as Mr Dilly’s WORLD OF HISTORY presents a perfect event for schools and all children KS2 plus. Join Mr Dilly and multi award-winning children’s author Tom Palmer commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the WWII Battle of North Cape, a Second World War battle that took place across Christmas1943, and immortalised in Tom’s thrilling naval adventure novel Arctic Star, described by School Run as ‘one of the best children’s books about WWII’. Fri, 1 Dec 2023 11:00 – 12:00. Tickets and more details available on the link above.

Waterstones Book of the Year 2023 – there are three children’s books on this year’s shortlist; How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? By Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen; A Whale of a Time: A Funny Poem for Every Day of the Year by Lou Peacock and Matt Hunt; and Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell and Tomislav Tomic.

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

Autumn Non-fiction Round Up – Kate Heap has read and reviewed a selection of books that are perfect for this month’s celebration of information books. From publishers who specialise in non-fiction such as Nosy Crow, Buster Books, Templar, Weldon Owen and Prestel, these eye-catching books will fly off classroom library shelves as children enjoy them together.

Kicked Out by A.M. Dassu – I have read several extremely positive reviews of this new book but am sharing this excellent one by teacher Ben Harris as it highlights the importance not only of this particular book but also of children’s fiction in general. And it really made me want to read the book!

That’s everything for this month and I hope you have found something of use or interest among the linked articles and events. I will be posting reviews over the next few weeks of some excellent new non-fiction for younger children and picturebooks on a Christmas theme so you may want to keep an eye out for those if you are on the hunt for present ideas. Reading Matters will be back next month.

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Glassborn by Peter Bunzl

Posted on November 3, 2023 by alibrarylady

Glassborn by Peter Bunzl, the standalone sequel to Magicborn, is a treat of a read. A story in the best tradition of children’s literature, a magical, historical fantasy tale of riddles and curses, secrets, spells and excitement set in an icy world ruled by a wicked Fairy Queen and featuring four brave children. Glassborn is a captivating story with literary connections to Narnia and Bronte and containing so much hope in its pages.

Cover illustration by Katarzyna Doszla

In 1826, as the Winter solstice approaches, the four Belle siblings arrive at their new home, Fairykeep Cottage. Their mother has died and their grief stricken father has travelled with his children to live with their Aunt. Here Acton, the youngest member of the family, discovers a hidden key that opens a door into Fairyland. But when he ventures through he’s kidnapped by the Fairy Queen’s servants. His siblings, Cora, Elle and Bram, set out on a quest to rescue their brother. But Fairyland is full of dangers and to overcome the Fairy Queen they will need all their courage and help from others. But who can they trust as they embark on their journey?

Inspired by the imaginary worlds created by the famous Brontë sisters, who loved to weave stories about places called Glass Town, Gondal and Angria, and wrote them down in fairy-sized newspapers and by Peter Bunzl’s childhood love of the Chronicles of Narnia this charming and enjoyable story also contains references to fairy tales and folklore such as The Green Man. Some of these elements will be recognisable to young readers and others may need guidance by an adult for them to appreciate fully. This, I think, is a wonderful way of broadening a child’s reading experience and understanding. As a child I felt a strong connection with the Narnia stories and as a teen greatly enjoyed reading Jane Eyre and I have a feeling that Glassborn will encourage that special reading experience for today’s readers.

The plot is engrossing with some tense cliffhangers and is told from the point of view of both Acton and his older sister Cora, both of whom are likeable protagonists. The story incorporates the deep emotions of loss and grief but also love and hope. There are some poignant moments but Peter Bunzl ensures that his readers end on a note of hopeful optimism. I’m glad I read this and am keen to read Magicborn now, which somehow I had missed.

Thank you to Eve Wersocki Morris and Usborne Books for providing my review copy. Glassborn is published on 9th November.

If you would like to read another book for children inspired by CS Lewis’s classic stories I would recommend The Lost Magician by Piers Torday. Barrington Stoke have published some excellent abridged versions of the classics including those written by the Brontë sisters. Tanya Landman’s retelling of Jane Eyre captures the heart of the story that made such an impact on me as a youngster and her version of Wuthering Heights converted me to a book I had always struggled with.

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Children’s Books – My October Reading Round Up

Posted on October 26, 2023 by alibrarylady

Spies and a wartime mystery, a storytelling mouse, nature activities and fun for every season and perfect picture books for encouraging creative play and overcoming shyness are among the children’s books I have read this month. I hope there is something here that is suitable for the young readers in your life.

The award winning Murder Most Unladylike series has been a huge hit with many children in recent years captivating would be super sleuths. In Robins Stevens’ follow up series we follow Hazel’s younger sister May who, along with her friends Nuala and Eric, is being trained as a spy by a secret agency called the Ministry of Unladylike Activity. The second book, The Body in the Blitz, (Puffin) set in 1941 sees the intrepid trio staying on a quiet street close to the Ministry, home to an unlikely collection of people thrown together by the war. In the basement of the bombed-out house at the end of that street that they discover something unexpected and mysterious; a body. Can the three friends identify this mystery person, solve a murder and pursue their work as spies?

This fabulous whodunnit is guaranteed to keep children riveted to the cleverly plotted story for its 400 plus pages. There is tension, twists and red herrings aplenty confirming Robin Stevens’ reputation as ‘Agatha Christie for children’. The three main protagonists are very different in personality but loyal to each other and dedicated to solving the case. The historical detail adds extra depth and the everyday life of people in London during World War 2 is incorporated into the plot creating a believable backdrop. The author is keen to make her books as inclusive as possible and adults may find the author’s note interesting. Children will simply be happy to find characters with whom they can identify. I grew rather fond of the sensible Eric and hope he develops further as the series continues. Published 12th October for readers of 9 or 10 and above.

Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper, which coincidentally celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is a book I and many others have enjoyed reading with young children at this time of year. The Taming of the Cat (Faber Books) Helen Cooper’s new book published this month shares that magical quality of gorgeous illustrations and a classic storytelling feel.

This enchanting story within a story tells the tale of a fearsome cat named Gorgonzola and a clever little mouse named Brie. When caught in Gorgonzola’s lethal paws Brie summons up his storytelling skills, rather in the manner of Scheherazade, to amuse and distract the cat and save himself from being eaten. Featuring a brave princess, an enchanted world and a dragon his stories have a fairytale quality and this book would be a delight to share aloud. As Brie tells his tales each night leaving his expectant listener with a cliff hanger his own situation and his place in the community of mice becomes clearer to him too. He learns a salutary lesson about friendship and loyalty as his relationship with Gorgonzola subtly alters.

The black and white illustrations throughout the book are beautiful and detailed, some are full page and others are vignettes or chapter headings but all convey elements of the story and add greatly to the reader’s enjoyment. This hardback book would make a really lovely present. Suitable for readers of about 8 upwards and published on 5th October.

I’m already earmarking books for my one year old grandson to enjoy when he’s a little older and one published this month is high on my list. My Nature Trail by Rachel and Paul Lawston (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. The range of activities includes signs to look out for in each season, things to do like plant bulbs in the autumn or make a bird feeder in the winter. Some will require adult help or supervision and others children will be able to do themselves such as catching falling leaves or cloud spotting. The book is wonderful for encouraging children to get outside and experience nature be that in the local park, the beach, or their back garden. Perfect for schools but equally valuable for families this is an attractively produced and extremely appealing book for children aged 7+ and their families. I love this one!

Alanna Max publish excellent picture books for pre-schoolers and Catch! written by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max is a perfect example of their work. In this delightful story we follow Kiona on a sunny afternoon as she embarks on an adventure with her mum to catch various objects. From a ball that’s too big to a tiny berry she can’t see, Kiona’s quest seems to have no joy. But her loving mother knows the perfect thing that Kiona can catch – a kiss! Trish Cooke’s text is super to read aloud being full of repetition and rich in its use of sounds and sensations for children to identify and enjoy and the bold illustrations by Ken Wilson-Max are eye-catching and full of life. This enjoyable story is also a way to gently encourage young children to think about relative sizes of objects and to become involved in play and outdoor activities. Inclusive, fun and thoughtful this is a lovely picture book for both Early Years settings and families and is suitable for little ones aged about 3 upwards. Out now.

Sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming when you are in a position where you have to say hello to people you don’t already know. The little girl in I’m Feeling a Little Bit Shy by Anna Milbourne illustrated by Asa Gilland (Usborne) is faced with situations with which many children will identify, going to a party, starting a new school or walking into a busy room. In each case she learns how to deal with her shyness through support and understanding. There is a charming, positive feel to this book and shy youngsters in a wide age range will find this reassuring and encouraging.

The little girl discovers that many people feel shy but learn to cope with and overcome it to enable them to make friends and enjoy new activities. She learns that it is a natural feeling that will pass and it helps to watch and listen before she joins in with others. Clinical psychologist Dr. Angharad Rudkin offered her expert advice to the creators of this book and the strategies offered within the story are helpful and practical. The jolly, busy illustrations and the inviting cut-out peep throughs add to the appeal of this valuable book. This would be a useful addition to primary school library and classroom shelves and is suitable for children aged 3+.

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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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