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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
This week has seen three special celebrations, all of them involving the world of children’s books but each of them highlighting a different aspect. I was lucky to be able to attend one of these happy occasions and would like to share below details of that and the other two ceremonies too as I think they illustrate both the importance and the impact of children’s literature and those who create and promote it.
The 2023 winners of the Branford Boase Award were announced by Maisie Chan, last year’s winner, on Thursday 13 July at a ceremony at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education. The happy buzz of book chat greeted me at the door and I defy any children’s book lover to walk through their wonderful library without stopping for a look at the inviting shelves and displays. The perfect venue to celebrate new talent and to look forward with optimism. From an impressive and varied shortlist Christine Pillainayagam is the winner of this year’s award for the year’s outstanding debut novel for young people for her funny, song-filled, second-generation coming of age story Ellie Pillai is Brown. The Branford Boase Award is unique in honouring editor as well as author and Christine shares the win with her editor, Leah Thaxton, of Faber & Faber.
Christine Pillainayagam describes her book as “a classic coming of age story with the added layer of colour” and says the idea came from some of her own experiences growing up as a second-generation immigrant in a majority white community. In her moving acceptance speech Christine stressed the importance of all children seeing themselves in fiction and wanted her readers to know that “they belong where they believe they belong.”
Running alongside the Branford Boase Award, the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition encourages writing talent in under 18s. Prue Goodwin, competition judge, spoke eloquently about the need for children to find their own voice and this competition encourages just that and, we hope, nurtures authors of the future. You can read this year’s winning entries here.
Monday saw the winner of the CLiPPA, (CLPE Children’s Poetry Award), the UK’s only national award for published poetry for children announced at the National Theatre’s Lyttleton Theatre. Chair of the judges former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell announced that the CLiPPA 2023 was awarded to Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek for their collection of poems inspired by nature, Marshmallow Cloudsillustrated by Richard Jones. In a year of outstanding poetry publishing for children, Nicola Davies was Highly Commended for her moving sequence of poems about the refugee experience, Choose Love illustrated by Petr Horáček.
Charlotte Hacking, Learning Programme Director at CLPE and member of the CLiPPA judging panel says, “The strength of this year’s shortlist made this a really difficult decision. Every one of these books is exceptional.” Children in schools across the UK have explored all five collections on the shortlist through the CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme, which each year prompts poetry performances by thousands of children in hundreds of classrooms. The young creators of the best poem performances took part in the ceremony, performing poems from each of the shortlisted collections live onstage alongside the poets. It is heartening to witness children’s involvement in this award, in a similar way to the Branford Boase, and this focus on the readers themselves is an important element.
I was sad not to be able to attend the ceremony which sounds to have been full of enthusiasm and positivity. If you too would like to catch up with the event there is a video of the proceedings available to watch here.
Another celebration this week thanked those people who ensure that the books listed for and winning awards such as those mentioned above reach as many children and young people as possible. School Librarians! The School Library Association announced the winners of the Primary and Secondary School Librarian of the Year, Community Award and Enterprise of the Year at its annual award ceremony in Swindon on Tuesday 11th July. I was personally delighted to see Sally Hamerton win the Primary School Librarian of the Year Award as I know how dedicated, enthusiastic and committed Sally has always been. Tom Stack, deputy head of Two Mile Hill Primary said, “Two Mile Hill Primary is a better school because of Sally; she has enabled children to develop reading as a habit, a hobby, and a life-long passion.”
The 2023 Secondary School Librarian of the Year was awarded to Bridget Hamlet from Rushey MeadAcademy, Leicester. Bridget has not only had a huge impact on the library at Rushey Mead, transforming it into a welcoming, vibrant space, but has also set up libraries in other schools in the Academy Trust. Steve Reyes, from the award’s sponsor OverDrive said, “It is so important we give librarians like Bridget the recognition they deserve for making school libraries a safe space to learn, be creative and develop a love of reading.”
You can find out more about these super librarians and the winners of the Community Award and the Enterprise of the Year Award on the School Library Association website.
It has been an inspiring week witnessing these events and we have more to look forward to in the coming days with the announcement of the Little Rebels Children’s Book Award due later this month. There is much to celebrate in the world of children’s books and if you are like me I’m sure these events have added some new titles to your buy/borrow list!
Welcome to this week’s round up of children’s book news and the last one of this school year. There is a bit of a summer reading theme to some of the links and I hope that they are useful.
What I’m reading…
Cover illustration by Jane Matthews
For several days now I’ve been savouring a wonderful book, The Song That Sings Us. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it before but it’s definitely a book that lingers in the mind. As I read this compelling story I travelled with the three captivating children created by Nicola Davies down mountain slopes, through dense woodland, and dazzling forests. The exciting adventure shines with the author’s love of our natural world and sees good battle against the powers of evil. This dystopian world feels frighteningly real and the voices of the animal characters convey much that is important to us all. This a story told on a grand scale but with individual hope at its heart, highlighting the thread that connects us all. It will, I think, leave its readers with a wish to share in ‘the song’. Please do read the guest post by Nicola, Sea Fever, today’s article in the blog tour taking place to mark the paperback publication this week of The Sing That Sings Us.
News, articles and resources…
The Summer Reading Challenge – launched last month in Scotland and today in England and Wales, 2023 sees a sports and games themed Summer Reading Challenge: Ready, Set, Read. You can join the Challenge at your local library and take part in person or sign up online to join in the fun. The Ready, Set, Read collection of books includes a range of books for all taste and this is a brilliant way to encourage children to keep reading over the summer break. Please have a look at the website linked above to find out more.
Book Trust: New Children’s Books We Love for July – Every month, the Book Trust team review dozens of books for children and teenagers.This month’s selection ranges from an interactive board book for babies and toddlers to translated fiction for 12+. Something for everyone to read this summer!
The Reader Teacher: July 2023 Children’s Books I’m Most Excited About – more fabulous new books to choose from. Scott’s selection includes the The Boy Who Made Monsters by Jenny Pearson and Katie Kear, Sweet Skies by Robin Scott-Elliot which is next up on my reading shelf and a new picture book from Jon Klassen.
The Island of Brilliant Episode 3 – in this latest episode of this great podcast you can listen to Nadia Shireen and Frank Cottrell Boyce chat with Ed Vere and find out which books Emily Drabble of Book Trust is recommending to us.
Mr Dilly Meets – Kid’s Author Super Summer Special – the recording of this event which took place recently is now available to watch on YouTube, link above. Get ready to meet some of the biggest and best-selling childen’s authors, here with their summer reads 2023 for you. The authors include G M Linton, Jenny Pearson, Phil Earle, Jeffrey Boake and Caryl Lewis.
Re-wilding your family and your phone by Nicola Davie – a timely article for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups in which Nicola Davies talks to Lyn Bowles about the Song That Sings Us and how important it is for children and adults to do a bit of self re-wilding.
TOPPSTA Summer Reading – TOPPSTA have some fantastic recommendations this year, from silly picture books through to enchanting middle-grade stories. These books will keep even the most reluctant reader entertained and they are all available to win this summer through Toppsta! Just read and review one of the books listed on the website above by 31st August and the person who submits the favourite review will win a set of all the books for their school.
The Week Junior Summer of Reading – The Week Junior will be providing full details of their special Summer Reading Challenge, including the chance to win fantastic prizes, in their 21st July issue. Meanwhile you can download their 2023 booklist made up of 50 inclusive and inspiring children’s books that have been recommended by their readers here.
5 top tips for choosing baby books – Babies can’t see books as well as children and adults. Professor Anna Franklin, from the Sussex Baby Lab at the University of Sussex, explains what babies can see and what they like to look at, and shares some expert tips on how to select books for babies.
Book Recommendations: Starting School – yes, I know it’s coming up to the end of term but for organised types who are already thinking about planning for September Little Wandle Letters and Sounds have come up with some excellent suggestions of books to share with young children starting school or nursery.
2023 Teachers’ Reading Challenge – The Teachers’ Reading Challenge is an opportunity for school and library staff to expand their knowledge of contemporary children’s books and develop their understanding of reading for pleasure pedagogy. Run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the Open University, the challenge will enable you access resources and be inspired by recommendations from a community of educators and readers, as you discover brilliant children’s books this summer. Full details on the website above.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Art is Everywhere by Joe Haddow, illustrated by Ellie Hawes – in her excellent review Veronica Price recommends this new non-fiction title as a must buy for schools but it would no doubt be useful to parents over the summer holidays too. “The entire book feels like a direct conversation with an adult who genuinely wants to impart their own enjoyment of a particular hobby to a young audience, in the hope that they will derive the same joy.”
Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson – this is a really lovely review by Jacqui Sydney of a book that explores difficult topics such as poverty, homelessness and childhood illness in an empathetic manner, “this would make such a powerful read aloud in upper KS2 to open up discussions about kindness and respect, and how to provide emotional support to those who need it.”
That’s everything for this week and for this school year too. I hope these weekly updates have been helpful and hope that the final weeks of the school year go well for everyone. Wishing everyone a happy summer with your families and friends.
Nicola Davies needs no introduction to lovers of children’s books. Nicola trained as a zoologist before becoming a TV presenter and writer. With over eighty books for children of all ages to her credit she has won awards, collaborated with excellent illustrators and is a regular and highly regarded speaker at conferences. This week sees the the publication of the paperback edition of her Carnegie nominated story The Song That Sings Us with its stunning cover illustration by Jane Matthews and internal artwork by Jackie Morris.
Cover illustration by Jane Matthews
As I read this compelling story over the last few days I travelled with the three captivating children created by Nicola Davies down mountain slopes, through dense woodland, and dazzling forests. The exciting adventure shines with the author’s love of our natural world and sees good battle against the powers of evil. This dystopian world feels frighteningly real and the voices of the animal characters convey much that is important to us all. This a story told on a grand scale but with individual hope at its heart, highlighting the thread that connects us all. It will, I think, leave its readers with a wish to share in ‘the song’. The storyline features dramatic events which take place on a wide ocean and it is a delight to welcome Nicola Davies to the blog today to talk about her own relationship with the sea and the creatures who inhabit this world.
SEA FEVER by Nicola Davies
Tearing round the end of a platform in Cambridge station in the Winter of 1978, I had a life changing encounter. I ran headlong into the young man who was to become the foremost whale scientist of his generation. He is an Emeritus Professor now, with hundreds of scientific papers and a shelf of books to his name, but back then Hal Whitehead was a scruffy post doc, with ripped jeans and a shock of hair like gold fuse wire. It turned out he needed a research assistant for a study on the feeding behaviour of humpbacked whales. So, that summer I stood on the top of a 200m cliff in Newfoundland at the bottom of which were my first humpbacks. I’ll never forget those three, grey, streamlined bodies, the beautiful curl of their flukes and their long white flippers showing turquoise through the green waters.
Humpbacks from my cliff in Newfoundland
I spent two Summers on that cliff and on Hal’s little sailboat Firenze, studying behaviour and distribution of wild whales. The experience of sailing, exploring and adventuring changed me forever. I’d always adored the sea but never been around boats, as my father claimed he was the only person to get sea sick while watching the canoe sequence in the film “How The West Was Won’. The realisation that, once aboard a sailboat, you can literally go anywhere, was completely new and utterly beguiling. In spite of the cold and the never ending sea sickness (I am in spite of all my weeks aboard small boats a hopeless sailor) I adored being afloat and propelled by the whispering and singing of the wind in the sails.
The crew of Firenze, clockwise from me on the right, Hal, Cathy, Hannah and Michael
Since those magical summers I’ve been lucky enough to sail with Hal and his ever expanding group of research collaborators on other sailboats in other oceans. I’ve followed blue whales in the Indian ocean, and sperm whales in the Sea of Cortez and the Caribbean. The sailing – long passages in dodgy weather, starry skies at 2 am, coming into port at dawn – has been woven into many of my books over the years and of course was the seed from which the sea faring tiger, Skrimsli – one of the heroes of the Song that Sings Us, suddenly sprouted.
Me and Hal on Baleana
I don’t sail now but I do have extremely regular contact with the sea. I live within sight of it and I seldom go a day when I’m home when I’m not on it or in it. This morning my husband and I were out on his slowly chugging little fishing boat to haul our crab and lobster pots. What is wonderful about any kind of floating expedition – boat, kayak, SUP, or wild swim – is that it is an adventure because the sea, even in calm weather, is a wild thing, unpredictable and unruly. You have to have your wits about you, you have to pay attention to the wind, the light, the surface and while you are doing that, the small world of human ‘things and stuff’ falls away.
Heading out of harbour with my hubby on our little boat Kittiwake
I put a lot of adventure into the Song That Sings Us A and although Harlon, Xeno and Ash don’t choose the adventure they embark on at the start of the book, by the end, they are able to relish new experiences and new challenges – they have become more adventurous. One of the many things I want for my readers, is for them to have adventures in the world, to explore, to learn new skills, try new experiences. I want them to feel they can step out and go in search of wildness.
Thank you to Nicola Davies for this lovely article. Having read The Song That Sings Us I feel sure that it will inspire young readers in the manner she hopes.
Thank you to Graeme Williams and Firefly Press for their help in preparing this post. Please do follow the rest of this blog tour to find out more about this remarkable book.
Welcome to this week’s catch up with what has been happening in the world of children’s books. It been a busy few days and I may have missed some news but hope that this week’s selection provides a helpful taste of what’s going on. I’m delighted to share some exciting news (perfectly timed to link with the Lionesses friendly match today!) from Tom Palmer about his new series of football books out in September, see the news section below.
What I’m reading…
The highlight of my week was attending the launch of Jenny Pearson’s brilliant new book, The Boy Who Made Monsters on Tuesday evening. It was such a happy event to be part of as the children’s department of Waterstones Trafalgar Square was full of laughter and celebration. The children’s book world is made up of people from different backgrounds including publishing, education, libraries, book bloggers and reviewers plus of course the authors and illustrators themselves but there is a strong sense of community spirit and that was definitely apparent on Tuesday. Thank you very much to Jenny and Fritha Lindqvist from Usborne Books for making it possible.
Over the last week or so I’ve been reading my latest batch of books to review for Just Imagine all of which I would recommend. Firstly, two picturebooks, My Brother George an uplifting story about sharing to be different but finding our place as part of loving families and Grandpa and the Kingfisher is a gentle story depicting the close relationship between a grandparent and child linking it to the life cycle, the seasons and the natural world.
I enjoyed Jacko by Jeanne Willis very much, based on the true story of a jackdaw rescued by a young boy in the 1950s it combines animal story, friendship, an interesting look at post war life and an exploration of dealing with loss in different forms.
News, articles and resources…
Cover art by Gaby Epstein
New Series from Tom Palmer – With the Women’s World Cup beginning this month and set to take the summer by storm, Rebellion Publishing has announced the publication of THE SOCCER DIARIES, a brand new series of books for children aged 7-12 years old starring young female footballer Rocky Race. Starting in September 2023 with Rocky Takes L.A. the story will balance football action with social problems and trials that children and young adults will be familiar with. Tom Palmer says, “I’m beyond thrilled that Rocky now gets her own series. Of all the characters I write I love writing Rocky the most. She’s such a fun character to write. I often have a plan of how the story will go, but once I put her into a scene it’s almost like Rocky takes it in a whole new direction! It’s such a joy to write Rocky stories, especially after co-creating the character, and I’m thrilled to be bringing The Soccer Diaries to the world that stars such a wonderful, inspiring, and special female lead for young readers to look up to.” You can find out more and follow Rocky’s updates on Tom’s website and you can preorder a copy of the first book here.
Books for Topics: Summer Reading Bingo – this new-look summer reading bingo challenge is designed to keep children motivated to read over the summer holidays. It is an activity that keeps the focus on reading for pleasure experiences rather than specific texts, with activities like make a den and read inside, read in the dark using a torch and read to a pet or a soft toy. Children can choose what they read for the challenges, although some Summer 2023 recommended reads are included for those looking for new ideas. Full details and downloadable bingo cards can be found via the link above.
Summer reading: 50 brilliant books to discover – some suggestions well worth earmarking for your summer break, from family sagas to political memoirs, the best recent books to accompany your summer break, plus page-turning paperbacks and children’s and YA books.
Brilliant Children’s Books to Read this Summer – if you are planning your summer reading or looking for books to tempt the children in your life this helpful article on the LoveReading4Kids website is a good place to start planning.
Ways to help children become readers – Book Trust Writer-in-Residence, SF Said, has spoken to some inspirational librarians to find out what really works to help children discover reading for pleasure. This is a must read and definitely worth saving and referring to as it’s full of great advice.
New projects remember Bookstart founder Wendy Cooling MBE – Wendy Cooling was a pioneer and the founder of Bookstart,the BookTrust programme which gets books into the hands of millions of babies and toddlers each year in the UK and which inspired equivalent programmes around the world. The three new projects were officially announced at the Yoto Carnegies award ceremony and you can find out more about them above.
Winners of Poetry By Heart 2023 Announced – the Grand Finale of Poetry By Heart, the national poetry speaking competition for schools, took place at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on Monday 26 June. It is ten years since then Poet Laureate Andrew Motion set up Poetry By Heart with Dr Julie Blake and it has become hugely popular in schools. The competition invites young people to choose a poem, learn it by heart and perform it aloud. This year saw the biggest ever response: 2,000 video entries of poetry performances; 90,000 young people involved; a staggering 39,000 poems learned by heart. You can find out more about the competition via the link above. The 2024 Poetry By Heart competition will launch on this year’s National Poetry Day, 5 October 2023 with another poetry extravaganza at The Globe.
The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2023 Longlist Announced – Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf is running the Mo Siewcharran Prize for its fourth year to help discover unpublished fiction writers from Black, Asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic backgrounds. For 2023, the prize is hosted by Hachette Children’s Group who are looking for fiction writing in the picture book genre. The books on the longlist can be viewed on the website above. The shortlist announcement will take place on 11th September 2023, and the winner will be announced at the prize ceremony on 28th September 2023.
Jericho Prize 2022/23 awards ceremony – The full awards ceremony for the Jericho Prize 2022/23, held on Tuesday 27 June. Presented by Jericho Prize founder Fabia Turner, this event includes interviews with the five nominated writers plus readings from all the shortlisted scripts and a few extra surprises along the way. If like me you missed this event live on Tuesday it’s now available on YouTube linked above. The Jericho Prize supports unpublished and self-published Black-British children’s writers. Find out more about their work (and the winner if you don’t have time to watch the video!) at www.jerichoprize.com.
Author Michael Rosen wins 2023 PEN Pinter prize for ‘fearless’ body of work – Established in memory of English playwright Harold Pinter, the award honours a writer based in the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth who – in the words of Pinter’s 2005 Nobel prize acceptance speech – shows a “fierce intellectual determination” to “define the real truth of our lives and our societies.” Michael Rosen will receive the prize during a ceremony at the British Library in October.
The Reader Teacher June 2023 Monthly Must Reads – Scott Evans has selected five of his favourite books published during the month of June and has shared reviews and a poster which is free to download.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Shiver Point: It Came From The Woods by Gabriel Dylan – teacher and blogger Tom Griffiths says this is “perfect for Crater Lake, Sticky Pines, Dread Wood & Goosebumps fans” so it should definitely be in school librarians’ shopping lists! Read Tom’s review to find out more about this new book published in September.
Stolen History by Sathnam Sanghera – an excellent review by Sue Magee of the Bookbag of this new non-fiction title. “A superb introduction for the preteen to the British Empire and how we should approach its history in the 21st century. Highly recommended.”
That’s everything for this week and I hope you have found something here that’s helpful to you. Happy weekend and I hope you find time for some reading.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. More important award announcements took place, there are some helpful articles on the subject of reading for pleasure, plus review round ups. Lots here to tempt you!
What I’m reading…
Jenny Pearson is an author who has developed a justified reputation for balancing laugh out loud hilarity with a thoughtful look at life and her latest book, The Boy Who Made Monsters explores the subject of childhood bereavement with tenderness and understanding. I think it is an utterly lovely book in which smiles and tears combine to create a story of hopeful optimism. Stories for children, especially when they are exploring difficult themes, need to have if not a happy ending at least a hopeful one. In Jenny Pearson’s capable hands the heartache of grief is balanced with humour and a huge amount of hope.
Several new information books have been published in recent months and this week I reviewed just a small selection of some of my favourites for children from about four to early secondary age. Titles include a colourful guide to the human body described for young children, an excellent book by disability activist Ashley Harris Whaley enabling adults to explain what disability is and why it should be celebrated, everything curious children could possibly want to know about sharks, a look at how plants may help us with challenges such as climate change and producing enough food for everyone and a readable guide to friendship issues.
News, articles and resources…
Dads Make Stories Magic – Dads Make Stories Magic is a campaign to get the nation reading together this summer from children’s reading charity BookTrust and children’s book publishers Farshore and HarperCollins Children’s Books. The campaign has been launched as new research found that only 29% of children are read to every day or nearly every day by their dads, despite this being one of the most effective ways of encouraging children’s enjoyment of reading and proven to have a positive impact on their life chances. The website includes features of dads reading with their children, advice and tips plus links to research.
Developing a Culture of Reading for Pleasure 4: Reading Communities – “We cannot make a child read for pleasure. However, we can create an environment in which reading is presented as enticing and engaging.” Open University Reading for Pleasure lecturer Debbie Thomas explores the power of Reading Communities in the last of her series of four blogs on the Literacy Hive website.
Book Trust Virtual Event: Candy Gourlay talk and Q&A – Join Candy on Friday 7 July at 11am in a fun discussion of how to design characters, how a story can grow out of a character, and how the best characters always leave you yearning to spend more time with them. Suitable for year groups 5, 6 & 7. More information and how to register via the link above.
What to read after… The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Some books end up etched in the memories of not just families and classes but entire generations. Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea is one of those classics. Assistant headteacher Dean Boddington, creator of the No Shelf Control newsletter has come up with some great suggestions of what to read after this much loved classic.
Yoto Carnegie Winners 2023 Announced – For the first time in the awards almost 90-year history, the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing is awarded to a book in translation – The Blue Book of Nebo written and translated by Manon SteffanRos. Jeet Zdung has won the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration for Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear. This is the second consecutive year that a graphic novel has clinched the prize. Children and young people ‘shadowing’ the judging process, debate and choose their own winners and have voted for I Must Betray You by RutaSepetysfor the Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Medal for Writing, and The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton for the Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Medal for Illustration. Many congratulations to all the winners.
Interview with Yoto Carnegie 2023 winner for illustration Jeet Zdung – Tanja Jennings, one of the judges on this year’s Yoto Carnegies panel, interviewed Jeet for Books for Keeps. You can also read Tanya’s interesting interview with Manon Steffan Ros winner of the prize for writing here.
CLPE’s May 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. Suitable for Early Years right up to Lower Secondary age.
A Place Called “Home” – A Windrush Biography by G M Linton – this week marked the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury docks in the UK and celebrating the Windrush generation and their joyful and important legacy children’s author G M Linton writes about her parents in this lovely article. You can read my review of her excellent new novel My Name Is Sunshine Simpson here.
Indie Book Awards Winners – the winners in each four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s Fiction and Picture Book were announced yesterday. Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman win the children’s fiction category and The Boy with Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis was the winner of the picturebook section. Congratulations to all the winning authors.
UKLA Award Winners Announced – Katya Balen becomes first ever to achieve back-to-back wins with The Light in Everything winning the 7-11 category this year following her previous win with October, October. Costa-winning The Crossing scoops Manjeet Mann her second UKLA award in the 11- 14+ age group. The 3-6+ category has been won by a stunning debut. Flooded by Mariajo Ilustrajo. Musical Truth –A Musical History of Modern Black Britain in 28 Songs written by Jeffrey Boakye with illustrations by Ngadi Smart won the Information Books 3-14+ category.
How to Spark! a Love of Reading in Your School – this guest blog by Sian Hardy, Literacy Hive is the last in a series on the Spark Awards website. Both these and the previous ones are well worth reading. The website provides information about these awards, the involvement of local schools and the judging process.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Pea Pod Lullaby by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King – this picture book is particularly relevant this week as we marked Refugee Week. Veronica Price’s excellent review will tempt teachers and school librarians to make sure they have a copy. Veronica also shares a double page spread illustration that is extremely well done.
Peril on the Atlantic by A.M. Howell – I’m lucky enough to have received a proof copy of this book from Usborne and having read Ben Harris’s thoughtful review I’m going to shuffle it up my reading list. Anne Marie Howell writes the sort of story that I loved as a child and which, more importantly, Ben says children in his class love too. “What she does so well – and what all children love and appreciate – is to tell a magnificent story, and hers are ones that are full of mystery and twists and turns, the ones that keep you guessing and the ones that children year after year have told me they have enjoyed particularly.”
That’s all for this week. I hope you have a lovely weekend and some time to read too. Next Saturday I will be revealing the cover of Tom Palmer’s new book in the Rocky of the Rovers series due to be published in September so watch this space!
Library Lady 