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. It is an utterly lovely book in which smiles and tears combine to create a story of hopeful optimism.
Benji and his elder brother Stanley are moving to live with their Uncle Hamish in their Dad’s childhood home in Scotland at Loch Lochy Holiday Park. Benji is an eternal optimist and believes they will be happy there and that their parents who have been missing for months after a sailing accident will come home safe and sound. As the summer progresses and Benji and Stanley become involved in helping to save their Uncle’s business Benji’s powers of positive thinking are stretched to their limits. As he sets out to prove that the Loch Lochy monster does actually exist, in the hope of encouraging visitors to stay at his Uncle’s holiday homes, he gradually learns that monsters can appear in different guises.
One of Jenny Pearson’s skills as a writer is to create believable child characters and within a couple of chapters the reader cares very much about these two young brothers. Loveable ten year old Benji is upbeat and entertaining whereas thirteen year old Stanley is quiet, withdrawn and outwardly a little grumpy. However they are dealing with very similar emotions but displaying them in markedly different ways. It is perhaps useful for young readers to see these differing responses as it may help them empathise with others more easily. The conversations between the children ring true and show an understanding of behaviour and attitudes which adds to the depiction of the children’s relationships with each other and with the adults in the story.
Benji, his new friend the wonderful, wise cracking Murdy McCurdy and their loyal companion, Mr Dog, team up to help Uncle Hamish and their schemes are so outlandish but full of childhood innocence that even an adult reader is willing them on to success. There are many moments of hilarity including poor Mr Dog bearing the indignity of a green leotard with stoicism and the trio of roller skating girls made me smile too. Ultimately the sensible Stanley is drawn into their plans and also into revealing some of his inner feelings to young Benji. The story gradually alters from madcap adventure into a wise and kind look at how families, especially children, can learn to cope with grief and loss.
As adults it can be tempting to protect children from the more distressing aspects of life, we do not wish to expose them to unnecessary unhappiness. However books have an important role in providing children with the tools to help them deal with the emotional experiences they may experience in life in a safe way. 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.
The Boy Who Made Monsters is published on 6th July and is highly recommended. The finished version, unlike my proof copy, will have illustrations by Katie Kear and I am looking forward to seeing them too. Many thanks to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne Books for my review copy.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books.
What I’m reading…
Last week I reviewed a selection of new books for babies and toddlers and this week another lovely one arrived on my doorstepcourtesy of Alanna Max Publishers. Lenny Has Lunch by Ken Wilson-Max is a delightful celebration of early experiences and those everyday routines that become precious when you look back on them later. Another book for babies from this publisher that’s just right. The inclusion of the familiar, the nursery rhyme, the bond between father and child and clever use of vocabulary and repetition ensure Lenny Has Lunch will be shared again and again. Fabia Turner has written an excellent review on the Jericho Prize website that tells you more.
I Am Lenny Brown by Dan Freedman illustrated by Kajsa Hallström was published on 8th June by Puffin Books which you may remember was Empathy Day. It would not surprise me in the least to see this thoughtful, kind story feature in future Read For Empathy collections. Lenny is 8 years and doesn’t talk to anyone other than his Mum and his pet dog, Rocky. When Lenny has to move to a new school it feels like the end of the world to him and he knows he will struggle and find it hard to make new friends. Lenny is an endearing character and his courage as he tries to fit in and find his voice will inspire other children. It is also heartening to see the importance of a supportive teacher included within this book and there is emphasis on making an effort to understand others who may be a little different. However this never feels like an ‘issues book’ and the presentation style and illustrations add to its appeal as does the sport element. A children’s book that adults will rate and children will enjoy.
News, articles and resources…
Diverse Libraries webinar 3 – Patrick Ness: Handling difficult conversations around representation in children’s literature – in the last of the National Literacy Trust’s 2023 Diverse Libraries free webinar series multi award-winning author Patrick Ness will explore why it’s important that children can continue to access books which confront complex matters. Librarian Barbara Band will open the webinar with an exploration of how best to address the representation of neurodiversity in conversations about children’s literature. The event takes place on Tuesday 20th June 4.00-5.15pm and registration details can be found via the link above.
Refugee Week 2023 Resources – last minute reminder of these excellent resources from the Literacy Trust and author Tom Palmer freely available for schools to mark Refugee Week which starts on Monday 19th June.
The Winners of the Children’s Book Award 2023 – The winners of the Children’s Book Award were announced last weekend in a special event held at the CLPE Library in London. There is a full write up giving details of the winning books, the award itself and the shortlisted books on the Federation of Children’s Book Groups website above and you can watch a recording of the ceremony here.
Book Blast with Nikki Gamble June 2023 – if you missed this event live last weekend it is now available to watch via Nikki’s Book Channel on YouTube, well worth subscribing to if you haven’t already. This is the first of two for June, as there are so many books being published at the moment, and focuses on non-fiction. We have another edition to look forward to later in the month concentrating on fiction and picturebooks.
Marcus Rashford Book Club – another great initiative from the National Literacy Trust, this Book Club aims to encourage and nurture a love of reading in children and get free books to the children who need them the most. The summer 2023 Book Club choice is The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Ghoul in the School and the Trust have partnered with the publisher Macmillan Children’s Books to create exclusive materials accompanying the book suitable for use with pupils aged 8 to 11 – KS2: Years 4, 5 and 6, or P5 and P6 (Scotland), and are free for teachers to download and use. Children don’t have to have a copy of the book to join in as many of the activities relate to the first chapter which is included in the pack.
How To Read a Picture Book – guest blog on the Just Imagine website from Shelley Jackson, Associate Professor and Course Leader for the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in which she looks at three recent Klaus Flugge award winners, Pierre’s New Hair by Joseph Namara Hollis (2022), Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago (2021), and When Sadness Comes to Call by Eva Eland (2020) and discusses some of the techniques used by illustrators.
A secret world, footballing fun and tasty adventures by various authors – children’s book reviews – Pam Norfolk regularly reviews children’s books for the Lancashire Post and this great selection features something suitable for a wide age range and differing tastes. Peggy Little-Legs by Pip Jones and Paula Bowles, a Little Gem from Barrington Stoke, is on its way to my 6 year old assistant reviewer and I can confirm that it’s a ‘doggie delight’ for age 5+.
Win all 16 books from the Storytime Prize longlist – To celebrate the success of the BookTrust Storytime Prize highlighting the best books to share with those aged 0-5, this year, Book Trust are giving you a chance to win a copy of all 16 longlisted books of your very own. There are a great variety of titles on this year’s longlist, from family tales like Zeki Rise and Shine todinosaur adventures with Don’t Let Diplodocus Draw. This longlist has been chosen by staff, parents, carers and children through voting at libraries and schools and represents some of the best children’s books of recent years.
UKLA Literacy School Of The Year 2023 – UKLA has announced that the winner of the 2023 UKLA Literacy School of the Year is Elmhurst Primary School in Newham, London. The write up of all that this school has done to warrant this award is extremely impressive. “Everyone in the school – children and staff – speaks knowledgably about and delights in books.” Many congratulations to everyone involved.
The big idea: do we need to dismantle the literary canon? – Jeffrey Boakye’s article in the Guardian raises many important points and will no doubt prompt discussion among educators. “There are immediate and urgent conversations to be had about the overlapping issues of social justice, identity politics, geopolitics and sustainability, and the curriculum can be a starting point for them.”
Books in Translation – an excellent article by Denise Reed, founder of Librarians in Independent Prep Schools in South East England (LIPSSEE), on the importance and value of children’s books in translation. She has included a range of helpful links and sources of information that will be useful to anyone interested in this subject.
The YA Book Prize Shortlist – congratulations to all the authors and publishers on the YABookPrize 2023 shortlist which was announced this week. Four first-time writers appear on this year’s shortlist for the YA Book Prize, with the winner once again to be revealed at a ceremony at August’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Finalists for the 2023 Primary and Secondary School Librarian of the Year – In schools all over the UK, dedicated staff are working hard to bring reading and learning alive for pupils. The SLA School Librarian of the Year Award recognises the best of the excellent work that is carried out in school libraries every day. Huge congratulations to all the wonderful finalists. Special congratulations to Sally Hammerton for whom I’m personally delighted!
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
The Lovely Dark by Matthew Fox – several people whose opinions I trust have recently recommended this book to me. This thoughtful review by Nicki Cleveland is the one that convinced me I need to read it. Published by Hachette next month.
Bite Risk – S.J. Wills – this first in a new series for teens has been receiving a great deal of attention this week. Rich Simpson hosts the author in a Q&A on his blog that will interest fans of horror. Rich describes the book as “perfect for fans of Stranger Things, Jennifer Killick, Point Horror etc.” so will probably be popular!
That’s everything for this week and I hope you have have a lovely weekend however you are spending it.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. The highlight has undoubtedly been Empathy Day which took place on Thursday 8th June, trending on Twitter and with many sharing books and ideas and of course participating in the live online events. The resources and author films are still freely available and the EmpathyLabUK team want everyone to go on using them – because of course every day should be an empathy day!
What I’m reading…
The online book community has been sharing a huge number of books for children that have been published this week. Among them was Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers illustrated by Tim Budgen, a joyful book perfectly pitched for its target audience of about 6 to 9 years old. With jolly illustrations, doggy puns and an adventure during which Michael learns the importance of perseverance this is a delight.
Another great book published this week is Call of the Titanic by Lindsay Galvin and this is a Titanic story with a difference. In this version we witness the disaster from the viewpoints of two young people, Sid who works below deck on Titanic, based on a real boy who escaped the disaster, and Clara, a fictional stowaway on the ship that rescued the survivors called RMS Carpathia. The adventure also features a giant Newfoundland dog Clara befriends named Rigel and a mythical sea serpent. This blending of historical fact and imagined adventure works extremely well creating tension, excitement and poignancy. Lindsay Galvin incorporates real telegraph messages that were sent between ships which I found particularly sobering. Her notes at the end of the story provide useful background information and this would be a great book for use in the classroom. However, most importantly it is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I’m glad I pushed to the top of the pile. Thank you to Chicken House for my copy.
Just in case you missed the paperback publication of The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey in April I would like to highlight this refreshing take on evolution and environmental awareness that is presented in a slightly different style. Narrated by friendly insects and full of lively illustrations incorporating numerous facts this is perfect for curious children and would be a good purchase or library borrow for the summer holidays. It manages to be both fun and educational and is lovely to browse and return to also. Published by Puffin Books and highly recommended.
Finally, if you are looking for books for the youngest book lovers in your life I have reviewed a selection of new books for babies and toddlers which are perfect for setting them off on the reading route.
News, articles and resources…
The Childrens Book Award Award Ceremony Live Today – the Federation of Children’s Book Groups are announcing the winner of their Children’s Book Award today from 1.30pm. You can join the ceremony live on their YouTube channel via the link above.
The Winner of the English Language Tir Na N-Og Award 2023 – Established in 1976, the annual Tir na n-Og Awards celebrate the best books for children and young people in Wales. The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones (published by Hodder & Stoughton) is the 2023 winner of the Tir na n-Og English-language Award for children and young people’s literature. The website contains information about the award, the judges and the shortlisted books.
Getting Your Library Ready by Roy Moss for Just Imagine – regular readers will know that I am a fan of Roy’s blogs for Just Imagine but this one in particular is close to my heart. Roy offers tips, wisdom and practical advice on how to ensure that your school library serves your school community well. The links within the article to presentations and a video in which Nikki Gamble talks to Alison Tarrant and Mary Rose Grieve, joint chairs of The Great School Libraries Campaign, about building a case for school libraries are also valuable to anyone involved with school libraries. A must read.
The Literacy Hive: The Literacy Year Calendar of Events – this excellent online calendar has been recently updated and provides details of events and related resources available to support your literacy curriculum. June is a particularly busy month and The Literacy Hive is a great starting point for planning activities and linked events.
Jon Biddle’s Reading for Pleasure Padlet – another recently updated resource and one well worth saving as it contains numerous useful links created by and generously shared by Jon. These include presentations, articles, ideas for use in the classroom, book suggestions and much more.
500 Words 2023: Everything you need to know – this is worth highlighting in order to be prepared in September. 500 Words, the UK’s most successful children’s writing competition, opens on Tuesday 26 September and will run till Friday 10 November. This year, the two age categories will be 5-7 year-olds and 8-11 year-olds. More information is available on the official website above. New research published earlier this month by The National Literacy Trust New revealed only 1 in 3 children enjoy writing in their free time so this competition may spark that enjoyment in many. Those of you on Twitter may be interested in this excellent thread by Charlotte Hacking, programme director at CLPE, on the subject and the research findings.
SLA Announces Shortlist for 2023 Information Book Award – The School Library Association this week announced the 2023 shortlist for theirInformation Book Award (IBA). The IBA aims to celebrate the importance of information books, highlight the wealth of impressive resources available and support school libraries to get the most out of them. The award is divided into three age categories, judged by a panel of educators. The judges have whittled down almost 200 different titles to a longlist of 31, and now compiled a spectacular shortlist of some of the best information books published in the last year.
Lucas Maxwell’s The Portable Magic Dispenser – the latest issue includes a 10 day reading challenge for staff, musical book tasting and Dungeons and Dragons and well being. Thank you to school librarian Lucas for compiling this regular newsletter.
Reading Is Magic Festival 2nd – 6th October – The FREE five-day festival returns in the autumn and will be beamed straight into schools and homes across the globe. You can watch the teaser trailer to see which authors, illustrators and poets are taking part on the website above. A date to put in your diaries now.
The Yoto Carnegies Award Ceremony Livestream 21st June 12pm – Schools are able to join in celebrating the UK’s longest-running and best-loved book awards for children and young people. Discover which of the outstanding titles on this year’s Medal shortlists the judges have selected as 2023’s Yoto Carnegie Medal Winners. Plus find out who will be voted as the Shadowers’ favourite to win the Shadowers’ Choice Awards, voted for by the thousands of young people who take part in the Awards Shadowing Scheme. Hosted by author and illustrator and former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child CBE more details, plus a full streaming guide available to download, are on the official website.
The Importance of Seeing Yourself in Stories – a guest blogpost by author Laura Noakes about the representation of disabled people within literature. In her new book, Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star, most of the heroes are disabled, neurodivergent, chronically ill and/or mentally ill. Laura hopes that this will enable disabled youngsters to feel seen and inspires young writers to include disabled characters within their stories.
Refugee Week 19 – 25th June Resources – The LiteracyTrust and author Tom Palmer have produced a selection of short stories on the theme BOAT PEOPLE and these are now live for KS3 teachers to use the week beginning 19 June. They are based on 5 true events where people have been forced to flee by boat. These can be found on the Literacy Trust website alongside a range of resources/activities suitable for upper K2 upwards.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Where Have You Been Little Cat by Richard Jones – I have a soft spot for both Perdu and Little Bear by Richard Jones but have not yet bought his latest picturebook. Mat Tobin’s lovely review for Books for Keeps has reminded me to put that right. “Jones’ exquisite illustrations, coupled with his tender storytelling, create a magical reading experience.”
Non-fiction review: I Have the Right by Reza Dalvand – in this newly published picture book Iranian illustrator Reza Dalvand introduces children to the universal rights they are entitled to under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In her thoughtful review Veronica Price says this “is a profoundly thought-provoking book which I whole-heartedly recommend to every school and classroom library”
Fablehouse by E. L. Norry – another book published this week this is the beginning of a new middle-grade adventure series and is a magical adventure steeped in Arthurian legend. In his excellent review for Just Imagine Stephen Dilley says, “This is a compelling and well-plotted story, and the mythic elements will appeal to fantasy fans whilst being engaging for all. The historical background …is genuinely fascinating”
That’s everything for this week and I hope you have found it helpful. This weekend I’m hoping to recover from a fairly stressful week with some kind children’s books. I Am Lenny Brown is a story told with understanding by Dan Freedman and a third of the way through it I’m already growing fond of young Lenny. Next up is Jenny Pearson’s new book,The Boy Who Made Monsters and as I think Jenny writes the ultimate “feel good stories” I’m really looking forward to that one. Happy reading and I hope you have a lovely weekend.
There are a bewildering array of books available for little ones with new ones constantly appearing on bookshop shelves. I have recently received three new titles that I would like to share which I hope will help those struggling to choose.
The Spot books by Eric Hill have now been enjoyed by families since 1980 and over forty years on a new board book version of an old favourite has been published by Puffin. Who’s There Spot? accompanies Spot on a busy day as he finds lots of new friends to play with. He searches all around the house, in the garden and also at school meeting playmates on the way.
This tried and tested format with chunky board pages, rounded corners and flaps to lift is perfect for small hands discovering and learning as they explore. The bright colours and round cheery animals appeal to the very young and Spot has worked his magic for generations of children now. There are opportunities to name and recognise familiar objects and to identify the different animals too making this book one to return to. The story is written in the form of questions encouraging participation and with animal noises and different sounds incorporated all of which makes this fun to read aloud and share. Over 65 million Spot books have now been sold worldwide and it is easy to see why. Great fun for aged 0 – 5 and published on 11th May.
The Zeki series for babies and toddlers published by Alanna Max are my current favourites, each delightful book is created with care, thought and the benefit of expert experience. The latest in the series Zeki Goes To The Park words by Anna McQuinn and pictures by Ruth Hearson exploring family time and summer is perfect to share at the moment.
Zeki and Mummy are on their way to the park to meet Zeki’s friend Yu, and her mummy. Once there the two children dig together in the sandpit, enjoy the swings and rides, eat a picnic and play in the splash pad. It is lovely to see summer celebrated in a local park rather than in a back garden enabling more families and little ones to identify with this portrayal of everyday life. As with the previous books the vocabulary used is wonderful to read aloud conveying the sounds and emotions of the toddlers at play. Zeki Goes To The Park emphasises the sensory experience of the small children; the feel of the cool breeze as they swing, sand on their toes as they play and the yummy taste of their picnic. These experiences are such an important part of a young child’s development and sharing this book at home or in a nursery setting will expand on those experiences.
The wonderful illustrations are bright and bold featuring the hot colours of summer, bright oranges, reds and yellows. The expressions on the faces and the positioning of the children and their mums together emphasise the joy and warmth of the relationships. This is such a lovely, happy book and perfect for young families to share. My copy is now on its way to my favourite little person to share with his mummy and daddy. It will no doubt be as well loved as its predecessors.
For young children of about 3+ or maybe a little younger The Bear Who Had Nothing to Wear by Jeanne Willis and Brian Fitzgerald published by Scallywag Press is a treat. This is an amusing story of a bear’s search for the perfect outfit and his own identity. Albie the bear arrives wearing nothing but fur and being an independent sort of bear wants to decide for himself what he should wear. Various outfits are tried and discarded from baby bonnets to royal crowns, from glittery wings to cowboy boots, from pirate hats to city suits nothing seems quite right to Albie. Eventually he decides how he feels just right and happiness is found.
Told in Jeanne Willis’s trademark verse this is wonderful to read aloud and provides much to talk about too. Children may want to try different dressing up outfits like Albie and the story also contains prompts for learning the days of the week. The subtle reference to passing on unwanted clothes rather than throwing them away is thoughtful and this and Albie’s growing confidence add to the satisfaction of sharing this happy picture book. Brian Fitzgerald’s bright and cheery illustrations bring Albie to life perfectly and his changing expressions capture and convey his mood well. A joyful picture book with a thoughtful message. You may enjoy this lovely video from Scallywag Press in which Jeanne Willis introduces her book…
I should like to thank Puffin Books, Lily Orgil, Alanna Max, Anna McQuinn, Scallywag Press and Laura Smythe for my review copies. All three books are now available to purchase at your local bookshop.
I am delighted to kick off the blog tour celebrating the publication of Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers illustrated by Tim Budgen. Illustrated fiction for young readers of about 7 plus is important because it is at this stage that children begin that transition to independent reading for pleasure. Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog has all the ingredients to encourage children that reading is for them! Humour, appealing characters (mostly of the canine variety), amusing illustrations and a subtle nod to the importance of trying hard and not giving up are all meshed together in this happy story.
Michael the Sausage Dog is desperate to be a star and is convinced that his talent of mind-reading might be his ticket to Hollywoof, as soon as he can convince the talent show judges that he and his assistant Stanley Big Dog have what it takes. However when they reach Hollywoof, it’s not as simple a life as Michael had dreamed. A rival show has started stealing their ticket sales and it’s up to him and his new friends to create a brilliant show, win back fans, and save the theatre.
How did this unlikely but enjoyable story come about? I am delighted to welcome author Terrie Chilvers to the blog today to tell us about the inspiration for Michael’s adventures.
The Inspiration for Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers
Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog is my debut book for kids 7+ or thereabouts! I’m a huge dog fan and always wanted to write a book that featured dogs – small ones, big ones, hairy ones and everything in between. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Crufts and reading dog magazines. And I’ve always had a particular soft spot for sausage dogs. They’re small in stature, but huge in character!
I live in a flat with no garden that makes it hard to have my own dog, but I often look after two sausage dogs in the local area via a site called BorrowMyDoggy.com that matches dog owners with people who want to have a dog in their life via regular dog walking or weekend visits. I look after a chocolate dapple miniature sausage dog called Bucky, and a long-haired red miniature called Sedwig. They have completely different personalities, but both of them think they’re the boss no matter what they’re doing!
The idea for a mind-reading sausage dog came one day during a writing exercise when I was thinking about what a sausage dog’s ambition might be. I felt like it would definitely be something big and flamboyant… and so the story of a mind-reading sausage dog’s quest for fame and fortune was born!
Having such a small dog at the heart of the story, I wanted to show kids that you can achieve big things even when you’re small and sometimes it might feel hard. Michael has a rollercoaster ride of successes and failures but with his self-belief and the help of his best friend, Stanley Big Dog he’s able to stay strong and follow his dream.
Michael’s ambitions and doggedness to achieve his dream definitely resonates with me and my own journey of becoming an author. As with a lot of things in life, you have to deal with a lot of knockbacks, but you just have to keep going and pick yourself back up. I think a lot of us can afford to be a bit more Michael when it comes to believing in ourselves!
Thank you Terrie and I do think that children will be encouraged to be positive and to keep trying by Michael’s escapades. Perhaps we should all be a bit more Michael!
Thank you to Firefly Press for providing my review copy and to Graeme Williams for his help in preparing this blogpost. Please do follow the rest of the tour this week to find out more about Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. It’s been half term holiday for many so maybe you have missed some of the announcements, awards and research so I hope the items I’ve collected together here help a little.
What I’m reading…
Quiet Storm, (Usborne Books) Kimberly Whittam’s debut novel speaks to those children, of whom there are many, who are shy and quiet, those who struggle to speak up, to ask questions and to join in even when they desperately want to. Kimberly Whittam works in a secondary school as an assistant Special Educational Needs Coordinator and her background and experience are evident in the realistic depiction of the characters, both children and adults, and in the details of the school setting. Quiet Storm is perfectly timed to be a transition read dealing with some of the fears children may have about moving on to secondary school in a reassuring and practical manner.
Big written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison is a beautiful picture book, beautiful and compassionate, empowering and kind with an important message about the power of words to hurt and to help. A story told in spare text about a little girl with a big smile and big dreams who grows bigger and bigger. However as she grows the words used when people talk to her and to describe her make her feel small and out of place. Through powerful illustrations with clever use of subtle colour change and page space Vashti Harrison explores the child’s feelings and her gradual realisation that she is just right as she is. An excellent book for encouraging body positivity and self esteem this would be a valuable addition to primary school libraries.
News, articles and resources…
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels – a concrete garden; a funny, uncompromising portrait of disability; an epic of ancient Greece; and the pick of new YA fiction are among the latest books chosen by Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian. Imogen’s recommendations are always worth following up.
Double Acts and Children’s Graphic Novels – this latest blog by Roy Moss for Just Imagine provides an interesting insight in to the appeal of comedy, graphic novels and funny partnerships. The links between comedy on TV and in children’s books is fascinating. The videos included in the article are excellent. In just one of them Just Imagine reviewers Ben Harris, Roy Moss and Richard Charlesworth share some of their favourite graphic novels for the classroom. They found it very hard to pick from the wealth of exciting new books currently published.
Browns Books Timeline of Events plus Book Suggestions – huge thanks to school librarian Eileen Armstrong for sharing this valuable resource. Celebrations, sporting events, cultural events, national & international commemorative days, awareness weeks/months, literary birthdays and historical anniversaries are included in this handy month-by-month calendar. Whether they be educational or just for fun, each event is linked to handy, age-appropriate book selections or blogs chosen by the Browns Selection Team.
Patricia Forde announced as Ireland’s seventh Laureate na nÓg – An award-winning children’s author from Galway, Patricia Forde will hold the title from now until 2026, taking up the position from the outgoing Laureate, Áine Ní Ghlinn. By honouring an artist of exceptional talent and commitment, Laureate na nÓg champions and celebrates literature for children and young people, inspiring generations of writers, illustrators and readers.
Refugee Week Online CPD Session: Empowerment through compassion – on 21st June online: 4.00 – 5.30pm join Helen McCord – UCL Centre for Holocaust Education, Tom Palmer – author of ‘After the War, From Auschwitz to Ambleside’ and Trevor Avery – Director of Lake District Holocaust Project for this free event. More information and booking is available via the link above.
The Reader Teacher Monthly Must Reads for May – another great selection from Scott Evans including one of my recent favourites, My Name is Sunshine Simpson by G M Linton. There are links to reviews of the books and a free poster to download.
Book Trust: New Children’s Books June – each month the Book Trust team compile a list of their favourite new books for children from babies through to teens. It’s great to see Jon Agee’s new picture book with Scallywag Press included plus Stolen History by Sathnam Sanghera Illustrated by Jen Khatun an accessible look at the British Empire and how it still affects our lives today. Lots more to choose from and well worth a browse.
Podcast: The Island of Brilliant Episode 2 with Maisie Chan – Nadia Shireen and Frank Cottrell Boyce welcome the fabulous writer Maisie Chan to the island to talk about some of her brilliant books – including ‘Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths’ and ‘Keep Dancing Lizzie Chu’. They also chat about the books they’ve been reading to pass their days in the sunshine and listen to Emily Drabble from BookTrust reviewing some of the best from the recent crop of new children’s books.
Shortlist for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2023 announced – Five books have been shortlisted for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2023, which champions both authors and illustrators of highly illustrated children’s fiction. Now celebrating its fifth year, the children’s book prize created by The Alligator’s Mouth children’s bookshop and The Bright Agency, celebrates the best books for 6-8-year-olds. You can find out more about the shortlisted books on the website above.
Middle-grade books with LGBTQ+ characters – June is Pride Month and all children deserve to see themselves and their type of family set-up depicted in books – but for many middle-grade readers, finding stories with LGBTQ+ characters can sadly be difficult. The Book Trust team have picked out their favourites.
Author visits in schools, and children and young people’s reading and writing engagement in 2023 – new research about the impact of author visits in school was released by the National Literacy Trust this week. Among the findings were: Children who attend author visits are more likely to enjoy reading and writing in their free time, but in 2023 just 1 in 5 children said an author visited their school; Schools with a high intake of pupils on free school meals are least likely to receive an author visit despite these children benefiting the most from these experiences, more children who attended an author visit read daily in their free time and make use of their school library. This valuable research report can be downloaded via the link above.
Alex Wharton named Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-25 – Literature Wales announced yesterday that poet and performer Alex Wharton has been selected as the next Children’s Laureate Wales for 2023-25. Founded in 2019 the Children’s Laureate Wales is a national ambassadorial role which aims to inspire and empower children and young people across Wales through literature. Alex Wharton’s list of aims for the coming months is impressive and like many I will be watching with interest.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle – I love Phil Earle’s books and his latest published this week has been eagerly anticipated by many. Kate Heap’s review provides an idea of what to expect. “Phil Earle has an invaluable talent for helping children understand the reality of war and the loss experienced by so many – not only loss of life, but loss of their homes, belongings, family, loss of their history.”
The First Shadowdragon by Lee Newbery illustrated by Laura Catalan – this excellent review by Barbara Valentini for Just Imagine provides an overview of this new adventure incorporating magic and folklore. Barbara also provides suggestions of how this book could be used in the classroom both as a read aloud and to prompt discussion.
That’s everything for this week and I hope this week’s round up has been useful. A quick reminder not to forget Empathy Day on 8th June next week. On Monday I’m taking part in the blog tour to celebrate the publication of Michael The Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog a funny book that has all the ingredients to encourage children that reading is for them, details below.
Quiet Storm, (Usborne Books) Kimberly Whittam’s debut novel speaks to those children, of whom there are many, who are shy and quiet, those who struggle to speak up, to ask questions and to join in even when they desperately want to.
Storm is now in her second term in Year 7 at Daisy Mill Academy, Zarrah, her best friend from primary school is not in her form and Storm is finding it hard to make new friends. Her family are boisterous and outgoing, her Dad plays in a band, her Mum has founded a roller skating club and her big brother Isaiah is on the Student Council, in the school band, organising events for charity and popular with staff and pupils. Besides them Storm feels even more quiet and anxious. When her PE teacher spots her talent for running and suggests she tries out for the forthcoming inter schools athletics competition Storm is thrust into the limelight and coupled with friendship issues and having to temporarily move out of the family home she is finding life increasingly stressful. However slowly and with the support of an unlikely ally Storm starts to find her voice.
Kimberly Whittam works in a secondary school in the Special Educational Needs department and her background and experience are evident in the realistic depiction of the characters, both children and adults, and in the details of the school setting. This authenticity adds greatly to the impact of the book. This kind story has a realistic feel that will undoubtedly encourage readers to engage with Storm and her situation. It is wonderful to see a quieter character take a central role in a school story and Storm’s gradual increase in confidence will reassure children who are similar to her in temperament. There is no magic wand involved in her development simply an awareness of her own ability and the value of true, supportive friendship. The author also quietly encourages her readers to see the value of asking for help when necessary.
Published this month, Quiet Storm is perfectly timed to be a transition read dealing with some of the fears children may have about moving on to secondary school in a reassuring and practical manner. The happy ending will soothe worried young readers. A thoughtful, inclusive and positive debut and highly recommended. Thank you to Usborne Books for my review copy.
If you are looking for books featuring children who may be viewed as ‘quiet’ but have something to say and just need a little encouragement or understanding Jo Cummins has recently reviewed a selection, including Quiet Storm, on her Library Girl and Book Boy blog which you may find helpful.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books recently.
What I’m reading…
This week I would like to highlight books from The Emma Press, an independent publisher, specialising in poetry, short fiction and children’s books, who state that their mission is to “make literature and publishing as welcoming and accessible as possible.” It was founded by Emma Dai’an Wright in Winnersh, Berkshire, in 2012 and their books have been shortlisted for and won the CLiPPA and other awards. Over the last week or so I have been savouring some of their publications for children.
Cloud Soup, a poetry collection by Kate Wakeling illustrated by Elīna Brasliņa is included in this year’s Read for Empathy collection and is the sequel to Moon Juice, the CLiPPA award winner in 2017. The poems in this book vary greatly in theme, containing humour and thoughtful observation, moving from the everyday to the mystical. Some poems would prompt conversation, some will make you smile and others will make you sit and think quietly, but all feel natural. The charming illustrations work well with the text making this a delightful package that I would recommend for primary schools.
Na Willa and the House in the Alley written by Reda Gaudiamo illustrated by Cecillia Hidayat and translated by Ikhada Ayuning Maharishi Degoul and Kate Wakeling is the second in the series of stories featuring a small girl growing up in Indonesia with an East Indonesian mother and a Chinese-Indonesian father. Based on the author’s own childhood in the 1960s this delightful book celebrates the small moments in a child’s life that matter to them. Na Willa plays outside with her friends, listens to the radio with her mother, loves to sing and read and is always asking questions. I particularly liked the voice of Na Willa, she is an engaging and charming narrator and this is a testament to the skill of the author and translator who ensure that this does feel like the musings of a young child. Told in relatively short chapters this could be read independently by readers of about 8 plus and read aloud to younger children too.
Last but not least the Bicki-Books collection is well worth a look. These are a series of little postcard sized picture books each containing a poem, translated from Latvian, illustrated by a contemporary illustrator. Calm Beasts by Herberts Dorbe illustrated by Gita Treice is a gorgeous little celebration of the imaginary world created in children’s literature and there are several others available either as a bundle of books or part of a subscription package.
News, articles and resources…
Don’t Forget Empathy Day 8th June! – Empathy Day is a brilliant way to inspire young people to develop their empathy superpower, and change the world for the better. TAKE ACTION NOW! There are some wonderful, free Mission Empathy resources and activities which you can use from now onwards. Do register for your resources which will help you organise a powerful day with a lasting impact. Choose toolkits for your setting – Early Years, primary or secondary school or public library via the link above where you can register for the live online event on the day too. A free downloadable family activities pack is also available at empathylab.uk/family-activities-pack-2023 .
Books For Keeps May 2023 Issue – the latest issue of this excellent online magazine for those interested in children’s books includes a guest editorial by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Authorgraph interview Jackie Morris; Rob Ramsden Windows into Illustration; ten of the best Irish children’s books; new Beyond the Secret Garden looking at belonging and nature in British Children’s books; plus reviews. A must read!
Discover the UK’s Largest Collection of Translated Children Literature From Around the World – A new video has been produced by Outside in World (OIW) to showcase the organisation’s work in exploring, celebrating and promoting children’s books in translation and presents its unique collection of 1,600 titles translated from many world languages into English. It highlights OIW as a valuable resource for publishers, educationalists, librarians, academics, researchers and students. This collection is the largest of its kind in the UK and is now part of Near and Far World Books at the University of Portsmouth Library. You can watch the video via the link above
Choosing Books To Read Aloud: Blog by Roy James – the latest in Roy’s series of blogs for Just Imagine includes input from several experienced class teachers and contains much helpful advice, plenty of excellent book suggestions and valuable video links to more advice.
Announcing the Shortlists for the School Library Association Community Award and Enterprise of the Year 2023 – Following the awards’ inaugural year in 2022, these two awards are continuing to celebrate the amazing projects that are getting the UK’s school pupils excited about reading. The Enterprise of the Year celebrates one-off or progressive projects which contribute towards reading and literacy in schools. The Community Award recognises the organisations and initiatives which partner with schools to promote and develop a reading culture.
Wales Book of the Year Award 2023 The English-language Shortlist – The Wales Book of the Year Award is an annual prize celebrating outstanding literary talent from Wales across many genres and in both English and Welsh. The shortlists were announced this week and the English language titles are: The Mab, Various Authors (Unbound), When The War Came Home, Lesley Parr (Bloomsbury Children’s Books) and The Last Firefox, Lee Newbery (Penguin Random House Children’s).
The Nero Book Awards – Caffè Nero announced this week that it is launching these new awards which will highlight winners in various categories. These categories: children’s books, debut fiction, fiction and nonfiction. The Nero awards will be open to books by writers based in the UK and Ireland, and will be administered by trade organisation the Booksellers Association. The awards are also in partnership with Brunel University London and Right to Dream.
The 100 greatest children’s books of all time – BBC Culture polled 177 books experts from 56 countries in order to find the greatest children’s books ever. This makes interesting reading and I’m sure we could all come up with a list and each would be different reflecting our experience, age and awareness of children’s literature. For that reason I find the individual choices of the expertsparticularly interesting. Whatever your view of the selection it is encouraging to witness this conversation about children’s books in main stream media.
Meet author Cath Howe to celebrate Empathy Day – with Empathy Day in 8th June rapidly approaching this free online event hosted by the National Literacy Trust on the day from 1.30pm – 2.15pm will be useful for schools. Cath Howe will discuss her books, her inspirations as an author, and tshare insights into her latest title, My Life on Fire published by Nosy Crow. This event is open to all school children and is suitable for pupils ages 8 to 12, and the session will include a live Q&A where pupils can ask questions and join in with thoughts and comments.
Diverse Libraries webinar 20th June – Patrick Ness: Handling difficult conversations around representation in children’s literature – another free online event from the National Literacy Trust, this time for library staff or teachers based in primary or secondary schools, public or community libraries across the UK. Award-winning author Patrick Ness will explore why it’s important that children can continue to access books which confront complex matters. Librarian Barbara Band will open the webinar with an exploration of how best to address the representation of neurodiversity in conversations about children’s literature. Booking via the link above.
Unveiling the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Award winners 2023 – The winners of this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards were announced this at a ceremony held as part of International Literature Festival Dublin. Selected by an independent panel of expert judges, including a Young Judge, and a network of Junior Jurors nationwide, the winning titles include an illustrated retelling of Cinderella as Gaeilge; an anthology of unsung stories about Ireland’s mythical goddesses; a mischievous mystery for younger readers; a colourful adventure tale of bravery and friendship; and a supernatural page-turner for ages nine and up.
Jhalak Prize Winners Announced – First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize and its new sister award Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize founded in 2020, seek to celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers. The winners of this year’s awards were announced this week, Congratulations to Travis Alabanzo, winner of Jhalak Prize for None of the Above and Danielle Jawando, winner of Jhalak C&YA Prize for When Our Worlds Collided.
The Week Junior Book Awards: Shortlists Announced – These new awards were launched this year by the Week Junior and The Bookseller. Showcasing top children’s books across nine categories, 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 including fiction, non-fiction, illustrated (including graphic novels), best STEM book, debut book, audiobook and book cover. This week the shortlists were announced and readers have been asked to choose the winner of the award for the best Children’s Book Cover of the Year 2023.
Get creative and win amazing prizes from Book Trust Writer in Residence SF Said – With a Bank Holiday weekend and half term stretching ahead of us, why not get creative? Writer in Residence SF Said is looking for children’s writing and art inspired by animals – and he has some great prizes on offer. There are resources, ideas and full details available on the website and the closing date is 5pm on Friday, 28 July 2023.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
The Big Book of Nature Art by Yuval Zommer – the latest in this series of books by Yuval Zommer us full of creative inspiration for young children. Roy Moss’s review for Just Imagine explores the activities, the facts included and the nature vocabulary incorporated within its pages. A must have for schools and useful for families who like to ‘make and do’.
Midwinter Burning by Tanya Landman – this historical time-slip adventure for middle grade readers, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author is published next month and Kate Heap’s review has whetted my appetite. “…powerful historical story. a hero who has much to learn about life, adults who recognise and support a child in need, devoted friendship, and a wonderfully magical time-slip adventure. Tanya Landman is a master at weaving an engaging and heart-warming story that holds readers fast.”
Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson – The seventh in the Emmie & Friends graphic novel series, Surprisingly Sarah could also be read as a stand alone according to this excellent review by Veronica Price. “An interesting, honest, humorous portrayal of young teens with all their conflicting emotions as they navigate friendships, school and the onset of adolescence…”
That’s everything for this week. I hope you have a happy bank holiday weekend and that the sun is shining where you are.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. Once more there has been mention of children’s books on Radio4, or more specifically mention of the lack of attention children’s books receive in the media. We can only hope that this repeated refrain will soon lead to widespread, informed discussion about children’s literature in all its formats. Meanwhile I hope this weekly look at what is going on and spreading the word about new books, awards etc. helps a little.
What I’m reading…
Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of both the Lulu and Zeki series of books for little ones published by Alanna Max. I’m happy to report that this appreciation is now carrying on down the generations. My son tells me that his baby boy, now aged 8 months, loves sharing the Zeki books at bedtime which delights me. According to his mum and dad ‘the text is just right’ for reading aloud to him and he loves looking at the bright, cheerful illustrations which depict things he may now recognise and be familiar with. With impeccable timing there is another Zeki book out later this month, Zeki Goes to the Park with words by Anna McQuinn and pictures by Ruth Hearson. I will write a review in the coming days but I feel sure that this carefully created book celebrating family time and first experiences will be just as much loved by my grandson as its predecessors.
This week’s personal highlight was attending the announcement of the shortlist for the Klaus Flugge Prize at Waterstones Piccadilly on Wednesday evening. Before the announcement we had the pleasure of listening to award-winning illustrator of favourites including What the Ladybird Heard, Lydia Monks in discussion with Julia Eccleshare. I found this both entertaining and enlightening as Lydia shared her route into becoming a successful illustrator which involved much determination and resilience in addition to talent.
Huge congratulations to the five illustrators shortlisted illustrators (details below) and it is wonderful to see the talent and enthusiasm of new picturebook creators appreciated, nurtured and celebrated in this way. I don’t envy the judges their difficult task of selecting an eventual winner as all five books are special in different ways.
Over the last few weeks I have read a number of novels for children aged about 9 – 12 and I’ve reviewed a selection here that you may be interested in.
News, articles and resources…
Open University Reading for Pleasure: Top Texts for May – Dr Julia Blake has selected a wonderful collection of poems for reading aloud and each of her three choices are perfect for primary school libraries and classrooms.
The British Book Awards Book of the Year Winners 2023 – a ceremony took place on Monday evening at which the winners of these awards was announced and following it online I, like many others I expect, gave a little cheer when SF Said won the children’s fiction category for Tyger. A stunning story beautifully illustrated by Dave McKean. You can see which books won all the different categories in the link above but a special mention for Harry Woodgate’s Grandad’s Camper which won the Children’s Illustrated category and A Better Day by Dr Alex George which won the Children’s Non-Fiction award.
InspiREAD 2023 Shortlist Out Now – InspiREAD began during the first Covid-19 lockdown as a virtual primary book award. It now runs annually during the summer term. It is a great way to help you develop your reading community, encouraging children to read for pleasure, and to include parents, grandparents, carers, teachers, and anyone who enjoys a good read to get involved. You can find out more about the award, the shortlisted titles in the three age groups plus videos and resources on the website above.
Garden Wildlife Week – another really lovely and interesting read in this series of blogs for Just Imagine by Roy Moss. In this one Roy explores the decline in the number of birds over the years and suggests some excellent books to help children learn about and encourage different species of birds into their gardens, on to their balconies or in to school grounds. As Roy says, a perfect way to turn Garden Wildlife Week into Garden Wildlife Season!
Reading ability of children in England scores well in global survey – the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls) results were announced recently and England’s nine and 10-year-olds have taken fourth place. This Guardian article explores the findings and includes comment by Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).
Booking Page British Library presents: Create a handmade library with Axel Scheffler and friends – Join Axel Scheffler and Jasbinder Bilan on 12th June at 11 am in this online event to discover how to create a handmade library for your classroom. Help celebrate the British Library’s 50th birthday by inspiring your students to make their own small books using non-fiction, storytelling and the power of crafting.
Dads and Art: some emotional landscape painting – this blogpost by Nick Swarbrick discusses fathers in picturebooks, notably two by Anthony Browne, Zoo and The Shape Game and a new book, Rory’s Room of Rectangles by Ian Eagleton and Jessica Knight reviewed below. This gave me a great deal to think about regarding the portrayal of families and fathers in particular in picturebooks for children.
Klaus Flugge Prize Shortlist Announced – the shortlist for this award celebrating the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s illustration was announced at an event held at Waterstones, Piccadilly on Wednesday evening. The impressive longlist has now been whittled down to five books and it will be a hard task for the judging panel to decide on the eventual winner who will be announced in September. There is a lovely video and more information about the illustrators and their brilliant books on the official website above. Don’t forget the brilliant Klaus Flugge Prize Presentation created by Mat Tobin, mentioned last week, which explores all the books on the original longlist.
Lessons in Life, Andria Zafirakou: Author Chat with Nikki Gamble – if like me you couldn’t make this event live during the week you can now watch it on Nikki’s Book Channel. Andria Zafirakou joined Nikki to talk about inspirational teachers from around the world and her new book Lessons in life.
What to Read After…Dog Man – assistant headteacher Dean Boddington, creator of the monthly reading Newsletter – ‘No Shelf Control’, has written this article for Book Trust with loads of suggestions of books that will keep fans of Dog Man by Dav Pilkey laughing and loving reading.
Libraries Connected: Ready to Learn Campaign – the Ready to Learn campaign highlights the crucial role libraries play in helping young children prepare for school. Libraries Connected are calling on national and local government to put libraries at the heart of efforts to support children’s transition to formal education. This article includes reference to a recent poll of primary school teachers on the subject of public libraries and readiness for school.
Free Author Events for Summer Term 2023 – this is a valuable resource created and shared by The Literacy Hive. Take advantage of the many free online events this summer term to bring a little author magic into your classroom. There is something for everybody in this term’s selection and Literacy Hive will keep updating as new events are released.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Rory’s Room of Rectangles by Ian Eagleton & Jessica Knight – teacher and book reviewer Paul Watson’s review of this new picture book highlights the way in which this could prompt thought or conversation about blended families or in fact what a family is.
Oh Maya Gods! by Maz Evans – Meet the brand-new Gods Squad led by Vesper, the bossy, football-mad adopted daughter of Elliot Hooper in this review by Tom Griffiths. Tom ranks this up there with the return of Neighbours has a highlight of 2023 so those who follow Tom on Twitter will appreciate that this is praise of the highest order!
Jericho Prize: Summer Reads – two new novels for children are reviewed on the Jericho Prize website, Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye, illustrated by Beth Suzanna and Fablehouse by EL Norry, illustrated by Thy Bui. Thank you to Fabia Turner for her tempting and helpful reviews.
That’s everything for this week and I hope that you have found this collection of links and reviews helpful. Happy reading.
So many books are being published at the moment that it can be hard to keep up with them all. I have selected just a handful of recent titles which I think prove that fiction for children can be both entertaining and enable children to see themselves and others in stories. These books celebrate difference and similarities, friendship and families using humour, understanding and experience to engage their readers.
Cover illustration by Fuji Takashi
My Name is Sunshine Simpson (Usborne Books) is a charming debut by G M Linton inspired by her own family background and told with tenderness, humour and kindness. Ten year old Sunshine is part of a loving extended family, with good friends and an enthusiastic approach to life. However when friction develops in a new friendship, the challenge of a stressful school event approaches and worst of all her beloved Grandad’s health starts to deteriorate Sunshine’s smile begins to slip.
The narrative voice of Sunshine captures effectively the hopes, dreams and worries of a child of her age and helps to create this delightful story’s appeal. The bond between Sunshine and her cherished grandad is both joyful and poignant and is at the heart of the novel. Her family is made up of distinctive and likeable characters and their pride in their heritage is integral to their way of life. There is laughter and tears, joy and heartbreak in this poignant story celebrating the Windrush generation and their achievements and a lovely message of hope, trust and the importance of self belief and positivity. The good news is this is the first in a new series.
Cover illustration Keith Robinson
Hilary McKay’s latest novel for Barrington Stoke, Jodie is an atmospheric, ghostly tale set in a desolate backdrop captured beautifully in Keith Robinson’s haunting illustrations. Hilary McKay has a knack of grabbing her reader with her opening lines and the first page or so of Jodie’s story was enough to make this a ‘read in one sitting’ book. The skill of providing a back story which provides an understanding of Jodie’s issues in a few lines is masterly and effective. In short sentences, family drama, loss and change is conveyed without delaying the story we are now starting.
Jodie is a reluctant participant in a residential school trip to a nature field centre and finds herself sharing a dormitory with girls from her class who don’t understand her. Although not unpleasant or cruel they make Jodie feel different and excluded so she escapes to the salt marshes where she can hear a small dog barking in the distance. Alone and in danger Jodie is trapped in the mud as the tide approaches. When rescue arrives it is both unexpected and welcome.
The details of the school trip made me smile in recognition and as ever Hilary McKay’s dialogue has a natural and believable ring to it. The voices of the girls, their happy chats and their inevitable disagreements are just right. Although I did not predict the final rescue scene it will reassure readers in its hopeful and kind message to those who may feel isolated or different. Jodie is a ghost story, deliciously spooky in places, but also a wise tale of friendship and loyalty.
Cover illustration by Yao Xiao
In The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula illustrated by Yao Xiao (Inkyard Press) the author has done an excellent job of balancing a story of friendship and fitting in with an exploration of what it means to be of dual heritage. Holly- Mei is initially excited about moving across the world to Hong Kong for her mother’s new job, ready for a new start and new friendships. However she soon realises that the rules may be slightly different in her new environment and without the guidance of her loving grandma Holly-Mei starts to struggle and worries about letting her mother down.
Drawing on her own personal experiences Christina Matula has ensured that this book has an authentic and distinctive voice which enlightens the reader whilst also entertaining them. Heritage and cultural background are part of this story however the everyday issues adolescents face are typical for all but are happening to Asian youngsters in this particular book. Any child experiencing a move of home or school, or both like Holly, will find this positive story reassuring.
Portraits and Poison is the second book in The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by J. T. Williams (published by Farshore) and despite not have read its predecessor I thoroughly enjoyed this historical adventure. The back story is helpfully supplied in the prologue and within pages I was immersed in this Georgian world of intrigue, corruption, friendship and courage. Lizzie Sancho works in her family’s tea shop in Westminster and Dido Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle in a grand house but although from different backgrounds they both love solving mysteries. When the portrait of their two families together is stolen during its unveiling the girls resolve to find it but soon find themselves in a far more dangerous world of intrigue and kidnapping than they could have ever anticipated.
The author has successfully combined a thrilling page-turner and an exploration of Black British history for her young audience. The two female leads are different enough in character to provide a balance in attitude and approach that adds to the drama. Although a work of fiction some of the characters are based on real historical figures and inspiring stories of Black resistance to the appalling treatment by some is incorporated in the plot increasing awareness and understanding. The first book in the series has appeared on several award lists and having read the second I think that it would be a valuable addition to school libraries.
I should like to thank the publishers for my review copies. All these books are now available to purchase at your local independent bookshop.
Library Lady 