Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on March 18, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. A personal highlight for me was attending the launch of Where the River Takes us by Lesley Parr on Monday. It was a treat to see some old friends and familiar faces after far too long and to meet new people too. Thank you to Lesley and Bloomsbury for a really happy evening.

Last week I shared details of the latest report and news from the Great School Libraries campaign and omitted one very important item. The petition! Here is a link if you would like to add your voice to this appeal to make a school library statutory in every school. It could make a difference so do please sign if you can. Thank you.

There is some important award news this week with both the Yoto Carnegies and the British Book Awards shortlists announced plus the Jhalak Prize long lists. I was also delighted to listen to discussion about the awards and current children’s books on BBC Radio this week.

What I’m reading…

Last weekend I enjoyed reading Where the River Takes Us by Lesley Parr. This story set in the 1970s has all the elements of the best children’s books over the years. It is full of excitement, drama, friendship, pitch perfect dialogue, families and humour but most of all warmth, kindness and hope. All the main characters felt believable to me and feature relatable traits with which children will identify. Jason himself is an appealing protagonist and the manner in which his friends support him as he deals with grief, which at times becomes overwhelming for him, is touching. Set against the backdrop of the three day week, miners strikes and power cuts the themes have a relevance today too. An exciting read but one with a great deal of understanding at its heart and a real sense of the importance of community. Where the River Takes Us was published this week by Bloomsbury and, I think, is definitely one to watch.

This week saw the publication of research carried out by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and Macmillan Children’s Books learning about the place of poetry in primary schools. (See news item below) Among the findings was the observation that 88% of the teachers questioned say that children enjoy engaging with poetry however 79% of classroom book corners have fewer than ten poetry books in their book selection. A Passing On Of Shells by Simon Lamb would be a welcome addition to any classroom book corner.

Fifty poems of fifty words each on subjects ranging from family to nature, offering hope and humour, wisdom and insight are gathered together in this clever debut collection. A Passing On Of Shells would be wonderful for use in schools and with its embossed hardback cover and stunning illustrations by former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell it would also be a special gift to treasure. 

News, articles and resources…

An Evening with Shini Somara – What on Earth Books & Just Imagine invite you to an evening with Shini Somara in discussion with host Nikki Gamble to launch Engineers Making a Difference. This free event takes place on Tuesday 21st March 7-8pm and is for adults but children may watch with you.

Launch of The Big Amazing Poetry Project to address findings from new research – if you read articles in the main stream media this week about this recent research report you may have found them disheartening reading. However this article provides a more constructive view. CLPE have announced The Big Amazing Poetry Project, which has been set up together with Macmillan Children’s Books to address new findings from this recent research into Poetry teaching and learning in primary schools. The Project looks to embed poetry fully both into classrooms and also in children’s choices when reading for pleasure. You can also read the key findings of the research and download the full report if you wish to.

James launches children’s fiction podcast – Anna James is launching a new podcast exploring how children’s fiction has affected writers and creatives. Available across all major podcast platforms, the first season features eight episodes which will be released weekly on Wednesdays from 12th April. Each episode features Anna in conversation with an author about their favourite children’s or YA book. For series one, the guests will include Katherine Rundell discussing Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones; Gabrielle Zevin on A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Laura Dockrill on The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson.

Book Clubs in Schools Summer Book Club – Summer Book Club is an engaging set of questions and activities based around everyone reading the same book. It is for new Year 7s to do over the summer as part of their preparation for secondary school. This year’s book is The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery and Walker Books is supporting this initiative by providing the e-book for 99p (from 12/7/23 to 17/8/23) and giving schools the opportunity to buy sets of books at a discounted price of £4. Book Clubs in Schools provided a range of free resources linked to the book for you to share. Registration and full details are available on the website above.

Open University Reading for Pleasure: OU Newsletter Live! February 2023 – if you missed this event (it clashed with Shrove Tuesday) you can now watch the recording. Hosted by Professor Teresa Cremin, this virtual event covered a range of useful topics to help participants enrich their practice and nurture pupils’ love of reading.

The Jhalak Prize Children’s and YA Longlist 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. There are some great books on other list and the shortlist will be announced on 18 April with the winner being revealed on 25 May.

BBC Sounds Front Row 14 March – if you missed Bex Lindsay, presenter on Fun Kids Radio on Tuesday evening you can catch up now. She gives a round-up of some of the most interesting and engaging new releases for young independent readers and her section starts about 17minutes into the programme. It’s wonderful to hear children’s fiction being championed on an national arts programme. Well done, Bex!

The Radio 2 Book Club with Zoe Ball – This is another radio programme highlighting the importance of both children’s books and our public libraries. Zoe Ball talks to librarian Janet Noble about her 28 year career, and the books she is loving at the moment. They discuss Jacqueline Wilson and Sabine Adeyinka, whose book ‘Jummy At The River School’ is a new favourite. This year, Janet is also the Head Judge of the Yoto Carnegie Awards – which celebrate children’s authors and illustrators.

How does reading benefit children? – A new interactive resource published this week by BookTrust sets out the extensive and wide-ranging benefits that reading can bring children, in a simple and accessible way. The benefits of reading are broken down into four core themes setting out how children who read are more likely to: Overcome disadvantage caused by inequalities, Be healthier and happier children with better mental wellbeing and self-esteem, Do better at school and make more progress across the curriculum, Develop creativity and empathy. An excellent resource with links to extensive research.

The Power of Funny Fiction by Jenny Pearson and Ross Montgomery – Barrington Stoke value and publish all kinds of books. In this guest blog post, which I missed in January, bestselling authors Jenny Pearson and Ross Montgomery talk about the power of funny books and what humour means to them.

The Yoto Carnegies Shortlists Announced – The Yoto Carnegies celebrate outstanding achievement in children’s writing and illustration and are judged by children’s and youth librarians, with the respective Shadowers’ Choice Medals voted for by children and young people. 13 books have been shortlisted in total; seven for the Carnegie Medal for Writing and six for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration. Both lists and more information about both the books and the awards can be found on the official website above. You can promote these books in schools via the shadowing scheme and there are a fantastic range of resources available here.

The British Book Awards: Book of the Year Shortlists – With 72 titles across 12 categories, this year’s shortlists for this award, known as The Nibbies, are worth browsing. Congratulations to David Fickling Books who have Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean on the shortlist for Children’s Fiction and Bunny Vs Monkey: Rise of the Maniacal Badger by Jamie Smart on the Children’s Illustrated shortlist.

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

Monsters in Trucks by Laura Baker & Nina Dzyvulska – it was the vibrant cover that drew my attention to this new picture book for very young children. Having now read Catherine Friess’ review on her Story Snug blog I think this would be a great picture book for use in Early Years settings and at home too with lots to look at and discuss.

Art and Joy – Best Friends For Ever by Danielle Krysa – this new picture book designed to inspire and encourage young artists would be a valuable addition to primary school libraries and classrooms. Jo Cummins reviews the book and also hosts a piece by the book’s creator Danielle Krysa on ‘Silencing Your Inner Critic’. This aspect of the book adds to its value I think and I will be looking out for this.

Engineers Making a Difference by Dr Shini Somara – following on from the online event with Dr Somara mentioned above Kate Heap reviews her new book and says it, “is perfect for every Key Stage Two class and school library. It is a must-have for secondary schools – in the library, with the careers lead and accessible for students to explore.”

Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels by Tolá Okogwu – this sequel to Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is available now and judging by Tom Griffiths’ positive review will be just as popular at its predecessor. With another book in the series due to be published next year fans of superhero fiction are in for a treat.

That’s everything for this week. Happy reading.

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A Passing On Of Shells by Simon Lamb illustrated by Chris Riddell

Posted on March 16, 2023 by alibrarylady

Fifty poems of fifty words each on subjects ranging from family to nature, offering hope and humour, wisdom and insight are gathered together in this clever debut collection. A Passing On Of Shells would be wonderful for use in schools and with its embossed hardback cover and stunning illustrations by former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell it would also be a special gift to treasure.

This week saw the publication of research carried out by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and Macmillan Children’s Books learning about the place of poetry in primary schools. Among the findings was the observation that 88% of the teachers questioned say that children enjoy engaging with poetry however 79% of classroom book corners have fewer than ten poetry books in their book selection. A Passing On Of Shells would be a welcome addition to any classroom book corner.

The book opens aptly with a poem titled How to Start an Adventure and Simon Lamb then guides his readers through a series of poems about the writing process itself, a wry look at families and relationships, quiet observations about nature, funny poems and thoughtful poems about everyday life and growing up. There is a lovely balance of styles which gives this book an added appeal and invites children to have a go at writing their own. You Make Me So ACROSTIC made me smile as it will many teachers reading it I imagine. I particularly liked Still Earth which reminded me of quiet country walks, “ Just air and light and calm and earth. And in the absence of the words; birds.”

Chris Riddell’s interpretations of each poem are wonderful, as one would expect, and add an extra dimension to the reading experience. The Three Legged Race, a thought provoking exploration of team work, is accompanied by Riddell’s illustrations of a tortoise and a hare. I loved this reworking of the familiar and it is one that may well prompt children to think about this much loved fable in a different way too. Links such as these can be found throughout Simon Lamb’s ingenious collection and ensures that this book will be revisited often by both children and adults.

A Passing on of Shells was published in February by Scallywag Press to mark the launch of their new poetry list, Scallywag Poetry and with further collections by other poets and illustrators planned we have much to look forward to. I should like to thank Scallywag Press and Laura Smythe for providing my review copy.

If you would like to find out more about the poet Simon Lamb you may like to watch this video below created by Scallywag Press.

If you are looking for other books to add to your poetry collection I can also recommend When Poems Fall From the Sky by Zaro Weil illustrated by Junli Song and for slightly older readers For Every One by Jason Reynolds.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on March 11, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books.

One important event this week was the launch of part 2 of the Great School Libraries campaign. The latest research highlights the inequality of school library provision around the country and the reduction in the number of school libraries in the last few years. This week’s launch at the House of Commons drew attention to these worrying figures and set out the campaign’s vision to government and school leaders. There is a link to the full report in the news section below. We need a school library in every school for every child. Please do support this vital campaign! You can find out how to help here and follow on Twitter.

What I’m reading…

It took me a few days to collect my thoughts after I finished reading What The World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon and to write a review that I felt did justice to this special book. It is, I think, a profoundly moving novel written with love and understanding by an author who has given a voice to those who have been under represented in books for children and teens up to now. In this story Mel Darbon offers an insight into life for those with a learning disability and for those who love and care for someone who has one. An utterly absorbing read and one that will make a difference.

Moonflight by Gill Lewis illustrated by Pippa Curnick is an epic adventure, appealing characters, secrets and betrayal, legends and curses, stories and lies all bind together in this exciting adventure full of danger and bravery. Gill Lewis has created a fantasy world that asks questions of our own and encourages children to seek out the truth and recognise what really matters in their lives. Although I have a life long fear of rats Gill has also converted me thanks to the wonderful siblings, Tilbury and Nimble Quick Twitch-Whiskers!

News, articles and resources…

Caroline Sanderson talks to Katherine Rundell – an interesting article in Mslexia in which Caroline Sanderson interviews the award winning novelist, literature academic and playwright about why she champions children’s fiction and her passion for John Donne’s poetry. One comment in particular stood out for me, “it’s to children’s fiction that you must turn if you want to feel awe and hunger and longing for justice.’ Thank you to Veronica Price for flagging up this article.

Seven beautiful books that show the power of a ‘quiet story’ – Author Anna McQuinn, author of the Zeki series and Lulu series, talks about the need for gentle books that reflect what’s important to the youngest of readers. Anna’s books reflect these thoughts beautifully and if you have not already discovered them I can highly recommend both the Zeki and Lulu books for the youngest readers in your life.

The Guardian view on children’s reading: a gift that should be for all – an editorial piece in the Guardian highlighting the increased need for school libraries during the current cost of living crisis. This follows on from items I shared last week about the proposed closure of school libraries in Scotland and the recent research report published by the National Literacy Trust. And, of course, leads on to the next item…

Equal futures or an imbalance of opportunities? – the phase 2 report of the Great School Libraries campaign was launched at the House of Commons this week. The key findings are a vital read for anyone interested in the literacy of our children and their equal access to books for reading for pleasure and learning. Led by the CEO of CILIP, Nick Poole and Alison Tarrant, CEO of the SLA “The Great School Libraries campaign will continue to work to embed the role of school library staff in the educational landscape and ensure that all children in the UK can access the benefits of a great school library.” You can download the full report here.

Diverse Libraries webinar 2 – Every reader counts: developing inclusive reading provision and practice – the second in the Literacy Trust’s 2023 Diverse Libraries free webinar series focusing on inclusive reading provision and practice takes place online on 29th March 4 -5.15pm. This session will explore the importance of making provision for books and reading spaces that offer accessible and welcoming reading experiences for those who find reading especially challenging and those children who, for various reasons, have come to be reluctant to read.

Children’s Book Award Resources – the Federation of Children’s Book Groups last week shared the Top Ten shortlist for this award. They have now created some downloadable posters and also activity notes for each book that are designed to help you to engage your child or children with the books in a variety of ways, to encourage them to write reviews and to get them responding creatively. These would be helpful either in schools or libraries or at home.

Penguin Random House Children’s 2023 highlights – Penguin Random House Children’s 2023 Highlights Presentation took place on the 21st February, a virtual event showcasing the many books that this publisher is publishing over the coming year. You can download an event programme which includes information about the Highlights Presentation and the authors and illustrators featured within the video. The publishers have also created a showcase pack where you can find all of their top picks for 2023 listed by publication month. Both resources are available on their website linked above.

I Spy, Bletchley Park A Guest Blog for Just Imagine by Rhian Tracey – Rhian Tracey explains how as a child she interviewed her grandafthers about their wartime roles, but it was only as an adult that she realised that she did not know anything about the role played by her Nan. This led her to uncover family secrets and discover the codebreaking work undertaken by her Great Aunt Audrey. Now Rhian has written a novel inspired by Bletchley Park, Britain’s codebreaking centre, where her great aunt worked. This book is next up on my reading pile and I’m looking forward to reading it even more after Rhian’s insights.

In a world with over eight billion people, how different can we really be? Find out by reading the winner of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2022 – The winner of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2022, which was announced at an online award ceremony this week, is ‘If the world were 100 people’, by Jackie McCann and Aaron Cushley. Find out more about the winning book and the shortlist on the official website above.

Lucas Maxwell’s The Portable Magic Dispenser – this latest newsletter from school librarian Lucas includes information about a free Dungeons and Dragons game session online for absolute beginners. What the World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon gets an enthusiastic mention too.

The Summer Reading Challenge theme is… Ready, Set, Read! with Youth Sport Trust – this week The Reading Agency announced that they have teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust for a Summer Reading Challenge focused on reading, sport and play. The Summer Reading Challenge shines a light on the power of public libraries as a hub for local communities and will bring together the benefits of sport, play and creativity. The Youth Sport Trust has developed family activity cards, which alongside the official 2023 Summer Reading Challenge book collection, will aim to keep imaginations moving over the school holiday.

Book Trust Book Buzz Registration Open – Bookbuzz is a reading programme from BookTrust that aims to help schools inspire a love of reading in 11 to 13-year-olds. Participating schools give their students the opportunity to choose their own book to take home and keep from a list of 16 titles. They are all carefully selected by a panel of experts to ensure quality, suitability and to encourage reading for pleasure.

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books – a wonderful selection chosen by Kitty Empire for the Guardian. The Rescue of Ravenwood is one of my highlights of the year so far and I have indulged myself with a copy of Lesley Parr’s new book, Where the River Takes Us which sounds right up my street.

World Book Day World of Stories Audiobooks– a reminder that there are a range of free audiobooks for different ages and reading abilities available on the World Book Day website until 26th March.

Nikki Gamble’s Book Blast for March – this is an excellent way to keep up to date with the best new books every month and there’s also a chance to win a bumper box of books for your school. March’s Book Blast will be released on Thursday 16th March at 8pm and this months box of books competition ends on 31st March. The best way to make sure you don’t miss it is by signing up to the YouTube page via the link above.

An evening with Helen Rutter – Scholastic & Just Imagine invite you to an evening Helen Rutter to celebrate the publication of The Funniest Boy in the World. This free online event takes place on Wednesday 15th March from 7-8pm and tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.

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

Namaste is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat – a review by Lucy Timmons for Just Imagine that finishes with “This book is peaceful and vibrant, still and energised, busy and slow all at the same time. A bit like life. Such a beautiful resource for any classroom where mindfulness and well-being are a fundamental part of the culture of the classroom.” Doesn’t this picture book sound wonderful!

Wild Song By Candy Gourlay – Joy Court has a wealth of experience in reviewing books for children and young people and her description of this companion novel to Bone Talk is hard to resist! “This is a potent and powerful novel that is as unforgettable as it is beautifully and accessibly written. It deserves a place on every award list and to be put into the hands of as many readers of any age as you can!”

That’s everything for this week and I hope that you have found something helpful included in the links or a new book to tempt you. My weekend reading is going to be Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr. Happy reading.

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Moonflight by Gill Lewis illustrated by Pippa Curnick

Posted on March 10, 2023 by alibrarylady

An epic adventure, appealing characters, secrets and betrayal, legends and curses, stories and lies all bind together in this exciting adventure full of danger and bravery. Gill Lewis has created a fantasy world that asks questions of our own and encourages children to seek out the truth and recognise what really matters in their lives.

Cover illustration by Pippa Furnick

Award winning author Gill Lewis has displayed a skill in surprising her readers over the years. There is an unpredictability in her range of titles that does, I think, add to her appeal. However, a common thread does tend to be animals although a story featuring rats would be a test of her ability to engage this particular reader as I have a longstanding fear of them. As a child I loved Reepicheep, C S Lewis’s fearless little mouse in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and now alongside him I will place the hugely appealing Tilbury Twitch-Whiskers. Gill Lewis has converted me!

Tilbury Twitch-Whiskers is the seventh-born rat of the seventh-born litter and, according to tradition, this means he is a rat in want of adventure. He just doesn’t know it yet because his mother is so anxious that her beloved son should come to no harm that she is overprotective of her little ratling. Tilbury, with his ‘weak bones’ is confined to home and is consequently a timid little chap

Tilbury and his family live with the other Dockland Rats in London and the curse of a legendary diamond hangs heavy over them all. At an annual ceremony it becomes clear only Tilbury can break the curse and save ratkind from looming disaster. To carry out his destiny, this timid young rat must leave the comfort of home for the very first time. Tilbury’s quest takes him to new lands, where huge cats and unfamiliar rats rule the streets and skies. Tilbury must risk everything to return the cursed jewel to its rightful owner.

In many ways this story contains all the recognisable elements of a traditional quest adventure but it does have a slightly different feel. There are stories told within the story and the emphasis on recognising the truth and also of understanding that others’ version of a story may be different to your own has parallels in our current world situation. There are also episodes which include an exploration of the abuse of power, the effect of greed on a community and a look at the class system through the treatment of the Sand Rats. Tilbury’s sister Nimble Quick is a feminist through and through and her determination not to be sidelined made me smile. Tilbury’s developing bravery and wisdom is admirable and his enquiring mind and mechanical aptitude balance his fearful nature. I think young readers will warm to him. I grew fond of Marfaire the Keeper, the wise guide to the young rats on their journey too.

There is a fair amount of what can be be described as ‘mild peril’ and violence plus deaths that sensitive readers may need to be prepared for so perhaps this is a book to be shared with an adult for the lower age of the middle grade audience. For readers aged 10 upwards this would be an exciting read and also one that would work read aloud in the classroom with lots of interesting topics for discussion.

Both the cover and the internal illustrations by Pippa Furnick add to the world building by Gill Lewis bringing the setting and characters to life effectively. Moonflight was published on 3rd March by David Fickling Books and I should like to thank the publishers for my proof copy. You can purchase a copy online at uk.bookshop.org

“Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.”

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What The World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon

Posted on March 8, 2023 by alibrarylady

“I don’t ever remember seeing someone like Jake in a book or on TV – it’s as though people with learning disabilities don’t exist in public. The sadness of that overwhelms me. Jake’s been blanked out of life.”

Page 165 of What The World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon

What The World Doesn’t See is a profoundly moving novel written with love and understanding by an author who has given a voice to those who have been under represented in books for children and teens up to now. In this story Mel Darbon offers an insight into life for those with a learning disability and for those who love and care for someone who has one. An utterly absorbing read and one that will make a difference.

Cover artwork by Adams Carvalho

Maudie and Jake’s dad has died and their once solid family unit is broken by grief. Their mum has fallen into depression and is struggling to cope, overwhelmed by the loss of her husband, the need to financially support the three of them and cater for Jake’s additional needs, one night she simply disappears. Her sister Emma initially steps in to help but she finds the situation impossible and arranges for Jake, who has a learning disability, to be put into foster care. Maudie is in despair. Her mum is not answering her texts, she is grief stricken from the death of her adored dad and now her beloved brother has been taken away from her. She takes matters into her own hands and kidnaps Jake and together brother and sister go on the run to Cornwall.

Told in a dual narrative between Jake and Maudie the voices of both characters are genuinely engaging bringing the story to life for the reader. Within pages one cares about both of these young people but it is Jake’s distinctive personality that stands out throughout the book. With her own personal family experience to draw on Mel Darbon ensures that Jake is a fully rounded character with a sense humour and a strong bond with his older sister. The two voices enable us to see both Maudie’s reaction to other people’s attitudes but more importantly we see how Jake feels when people are cruel or careless in their treatment of him. The story is a learning experience for both characters and readers. The warmth and love between the main characters is touching and there are many who offer the hand of friendship and support to them both and others who, through lack of experience, do not initially understand but make great efforts to do so.

Maudie and Jake and their strong and loving bond is at the centre of this compelling story however there are other characters who play an important role. The strong friendship between Maudie and her friend Liv, the kindly caravan site owner Brae, Gerren the local boy with whom Maudie tentatively begins a relationship and others who make fleeting appearances such as the cafe waitress, all give this tender story a kind and hopeful air. This optimism is conveyed to the reader so that the grief of this family is balanced by their love and ultimately their resilience.

This is a book that works both as a reading experience with great emotional impact but also as a story that encourages you to ask questions and to think about attitudes, differences, inclusion and representation. Mel Darbon pushes us to look beyond the labels and the stereotypes to people as individuals. March is Disability Awareness Month and What The World Doesn’t See will do a great deal to raise that awareness. Although the story and Mel’s Author Note about her beloved brother moved me to tears I am glad I read this beautiful book.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne Books for my review copy. What The World Doesn’t See was published on 3rd March for readers aged 13+ and can be purchased online here.

“Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.”

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on March 4, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s catch up with what has been happening in the world of children’s books recently. World Book Day prompted media attention and it was heartening to see our Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho on BBC Breakfast TV on Monday talking eloquently about the value of World Book Day, reading choice, libraries, his Poetry Prompts for BookTrust and his Bookmaker Like You Project. Children’s books being discussed in the main stream media is exactly what is needed to raise its profile.

What I’m reading…

World Book Day saw the publication of a rather special picture book and although ‘celebrity children’s books’ may not usually require much additional publicity from me I do want to highlight this one. This is Me by George Webster and Claire Taylor and illustrated by Tim Budgen is published by Scholastic Books. It is inspired by an original poem featured on CBeebies, read by presenter George Webster and the publication comes just three weeks before Down Syndrome Awareness Day on 21st March. This lovely picture book highlights the importance of celebrating our differences and is full of kindness and positivity. The joyful illustrations match the tone of the text perfectly and include diverse and inclusive representation. It would be a great way of encouraging all children to feel as though they matter and belong and make them smile too. You may be interested in this interview with George about all his many achievements.

The Rescue of Ravenswood by Natasha Farrant (Faber) reminded me of my favourite childhood reading for all the best reasons. The story covers a great deal, looking at what makes a family, the importance of somewhere to call home and, central to the plot, the need to protect our natural world from those who may despoil it either by greed or lack of understanding. It encompasses so much, empowering its readers but does so with a gentle touch. The beautiful setting, the believable characterisation and the exciting plot all add to the appeal of this thoughtful story. A book with an important message and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

What the World Doesn’t See by Mel Darbon (Usborne) was among the flurry of books published on World Book Day but was also timed to coincide with Disability Awareness Month. Inspired by Mel’s beloved brother this book gives a voice to those who have been sadly neglected in fiction up to now. This tender story, written with understanding and love, provides an insight into the lives of both those with a learning disability and their families. I found this profoundly moving and I hope to do justice to this important book in a full review in the coming days.

News, articles and resources…

Children’s Book Award Top Ten Announced – The Children’s Book Award, organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, is the only national award voted for solely by children from start to finish. This week the shortlisted titles in the three categories, Books for Younger Children, Books for Younger Readers and Books for Older Readers were announced. The Top Ten titles are now sent to the testing groups for more votes to be cast so that one winner in each category as well as an overall winner can be chosen. Winners are announced at a ceremony held on the 10th of June in Central London. It is fascinating to see which books are chosen by children themselves.

World Book Day’s Profound Purpose, by Pippa Goodhart – a guest article on the Picture Book Den Blog by World Book Day author Pippa Goodhart exploring some of the background to this annual celebration of books and reading.

No Shelf Control February Newsletter for Children, Parents and Teachers – the latest issue of this great resource created by teacher Dean Boddington includes a Q&A with Liz Flanagan, author of Wildsmith into the Dark Forest, this month’s book reviews and a selection of books by this year’s World Book Day books authors and illustrators.

The Reader Teacher Must Reads February 2023 – Scott Evans has selected five of his favourite books published in February and there is a free poster showing the different books for you to download too.

Parents and carers spending less on books as cost-of-living crisis impacts families across Britain – New research from the National Literacy Trust and digital bank, Chase, reveals the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on children’s access to books and the vital role that school libraries are playing in the current economic climate. Fuller details of the research can be found here.

Fears over school library provision: Scottish Government urged to act – in light of the research published by the National Literacy Trust mentioned above this article about the proposed closure of many school libraries in Scotland is a disturbing read.

Blog Tour: Moonflight by Gill Lewis illustrated by Pippa Curnick – the blog tour taking place to mark the publication of Moonflight this week includes this interesting interview with Gill Lewis by Jo Cummins on her Library Girl and Book Boy blog.

8 Of The Best Middle Grade Books to Read Aloud – Lucas Maxwell has selected some of favourite books to read aloud to children aged 11+. Lucas also provides tips and advice and his choices are a great balance of genres and this list would be particularly helpful for secondary school librarians and teachers.

Roald Dahl is the last thing we should worry about on World Book Day: Frank Cottrell-Boyce – Frank Cottrell-Boyce yet again raising the profile of children’s books and making some important points in this article for the Guardian.

The Reader Teacher: March 2023 Children’s Books I’m Most Excited About – Scott Evans’ video highlights some cracking books that are being published this month. He mentions That’s Mathematics by Chris Smith and Elīna Brasliņa and Can You Get Rainbows in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani and Liz Kay, two great books that have impressed me too and that I’ve not yet had time to review.

500 Words: BBC Breakfast to relaunch children’s writing competition – I know from personal experience how much children enjoyed participating in this competition so its return is good news. Teachers and librarians are being invited to join the 2023 judging panel alongside World Book Day ambassador Sir Lenny Henry. Other judges include authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson and the former children’s laureate Malorie Blackman.

Book Trust New children’s books we love – Every month, the Book Trust team review dozens of books for children and teenagers and share the ones they like best and group them by age. The selection for March includes a wide variety to tempt a range of tastes.

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

The Toy Bus (The Repair Shop Stories) by Amy Sparkes and Katie Hickey – this is a lovely review by Sue Magee on the Bookbag website. A picture book linked to the popular TV series but also subtly inclusive and with kindness threaded through the story. I really like the sound of this one.

Otter-ly Cute Illustrated Fiction for Young Readers – Veronica Price has reviewed a selection of illustrated first chapter books on her blog this week all of which feature otters! These are all now on my list as possible birthday presents for a young reader I know as all of them sound appealing. They would be perfect for primary school libraries too.

Dragonracers by Peter Bunzl – a tempting review by Kate Heap of this new book from Barrington Stoke based on the story of the first London to Manchester Air Race in 1910. Alongside the review is an interesting guest post by Peter giving the background to his book and a little about the research process.

Nic Blake and The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas – this is the first story for a younger audience by this highly regarded author of YA fiction and if Tom Griffiths’ review is anything to go by this will be just as popular! “From the first page, I loved Nic’s voice and it shows Angie’s talent for pop culture and being relatable to children as I can see the Nic Blake and the Remarkables series being massively popular when it’s released.”

That’s everything for this week. If you would like to find out more about the Top Ten Books on the Children’s Book Award List don’t forget to follow the special blog tour celebrating all the books. Full details are given below. My weekend reading is to be the latest book by Gill Lewis, Moon Flight. Happy reading!

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The Rescue of Ravenwood by Natasha Farrant

Posted on March 1, 2023 by alibrarylady

“We have to fight for the precious places, don’t we?” Bea says. “It might not change the world for everyone, but it’s a start isn’t it?”

To which the major replies, “It is a start. It is a very good start indeed.”

Sometimes when life feels overwhelming, when the enormity of the things that are out of your control hits home you need to be reminded that it is possible to bring about change in a small way. This is especially important for children and young people. Natasha Farrant has tackled the vast issues of the day such as the climate crisis and conservation of our natural environment and more personal themes such as family dynamics and relationships and drawn them together in an adventure that is compelling, exciting and at times emotionally moving. The Rescue of Ravenwood encompasses so much, empowering its readers but does so with a gentle touch.

The old house of Ravenwood is situated in the north of England, sitting high up on the hillside overlooking the bay and surrounded by ancient woodland. The house has been a home for hundreds of years and at present is it home to Bea and her Uncle Leo and Raffy and his mum, Martha, a blended and happy little family. In the summer holidays after Bea and Raffy have left primary school everything changes; Noa a girl from the village comes to stay, Bea’s parents from she has been estranged contact her saying they want her to join them on a trip abroad and Uncle Jack visits with his friend both of whom who have plans for Ravenwood and its land.

Bea, Raffy and Noa, so different in personality, are united in their wish to protect Ravenwood and as the adventure develops these three children take on challenges they would have previously thought unimaginable as they fight to save something precious. Although separated by circumstances they unite in their endeavours and the story told from their different viewpoints whisks the reader to London, across Europe and up to the topmost branches of the ancient tree that guards the entrance to Ravenwood, named Yggdrasil by Leo after the tree of folklore.

I will struggle to avoid clichés as I describe this book as it really does have a feel of a classic and I genuinely couldn’t put it down! As I read I would occasionally mutter to anyone in the same room, “this is really good”. So, how to explain its appeal? Natasha Farrant is skilful at providing just enough detail to draw her reader in then tease them with a thought or comment which makes them want to discover more. The narrative switches between the three children’s point of view giving the story an immediacy and an added sense of involvement. The fabulous setting had a nostalgic appeal for me as an adult reminding me of beach settings in Blyton books, and the old house and its surroundings, if further south, could have been Rebecca’s Manderley. Bea, Raffy and Noa are well rounded and believable characters and the fact that all three develop in maturity and understanding throughout the book is an aspect that adds to its impact for young readers.

The Rescue of Ravenwood covers a great deal, looking at what makes a family, the importance of somewhere to call home and, central to the plot, the need to protect our natural world from those who may despoil it either by greed or lack of understanding. A book with an important message and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I would like to thank Bethany Carter and Faber Books for my review copy. The Rescue of Ravenwood was published on 23rd February and can be purchased at your local independent bookshop or online via uk.bookshop.org

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on February 25, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. Monday’s news got the week off to a great start as, along with every other children’s book lover I know, I was delighted to see the announcement of SF Said as the new Book Trust Writer in Residence. Another highlight was the launch of the Barnes Childdren’s Literature Festival Schools’ Programme. These free events for children in London boroughs are a golden opportunity for children to meet their much loved authors and illustrators.

What I’m reading…

This week I caught up with my reviews for Just Imagine and one of the joys of reviewing for this particular website is the range of books that I receive to read. Mum, Me and the Mulberry Tree by Tanya Rosie Illustrated by Chuck Groenink (Walker Books) is a gentle story of family and the importance of small rituals in our lives, highlighting the part they play both in appreciating the present moment and in the happy memories they create. For adult readers this has a nostalgic appeal and the lyrical text and subtle illustrations combine in a picture book that would be a perfect bedtime read but also a lovely book to use in Early Years and Infant settings.

The partnership of Timothée de Fombelle and Sarah Ardizzone is a longstanding and successful one and the simply beautiful book, A Swallow in Winter also contains wonderful illustrations by Thomas Campi add another layer to this compassionate story of hope and humanity. I found this an affecting read and do hope that its setting at Christmas time will not limit its readership as I think its message it contains is a valuable one all year round. It’s out now, published by Walker Books, and I would highly recommend it for all ages.

Bloomsbury Readers published by Bloomsbury Education are a series of book-banded stories aimed at encouraging children to read independently in KS2 written by well-known authors with engaging illustrations. The Mystery in Flat 6B by Karen McCombie illustrated by Thy Bui, a Dark Blue Band Level book in the series, combines themes of moving house, anxiety and loneliness in a short story in which questions are resolved with a satisfying outcome. Karen McCombie has managed to skilfully include contemporary social situations in a mystery that will hook young readers and has incorporated some important life lessons along the way.

News, articles and resources…

A Sprinkle of Author Magic for World Book Day – I feel quite sure that you don’t need a reminder that next Thursday 2nd March is World Book Day but just in case you are having a last minute panic about how to mark the day the Literacy Hive have come to your rescue. They have collated a selection of the many online events that are taking place over World Book Day week. There are events for pupils of all ages and many of them are free. Check out the schedule via the link to their website above and find the event that’s right for you and your pupils.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival: FREE Schools Programme Announced – there is a fabulous line up for this year’s programme taking place Thursday 18 May – Friday 23 June 2023 including Frank Cottrell Boyce, Abi Elphinstone, Piers Torday, Vashti Hardy, Rob Biddulph and Joseph Coelho. Don’t miss out! Full details are available via the link above and booking is now open. Don’t forget you can win a set of books for your class by all the authors and illustrators through my giveaway on Twitter which closes on Sunday evening.

“Every child can be a reader”: SF Said will champion making reading more inclusive as BookTrust’s new Writer in Residence – this was perfect news to banish the Monday morning blues this week. SF Said is a wonderful advocate for children’s books and for reading for pleasure in addition to writing brilliant books! I am looking forward to following his thoughts and ideas over the coming months after he takes over the role on 1st March.

Why it’s important to include LGBTQ+ historical figures across the curriculum – Author and former teacher Ian Eagleton explains how broadening the range of historical figures studied can benefit all students in this article for Book Trust.

A Sport of One’s Own: Roy Moss blogs for Just Imagine – Wednesday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. This year Just Imagine is focussing on women’s achievement in sports and also looking at how books and reading might open up spaces for girls to think about the potential in sports and sport-related jobs. Roy Moss examines the state of play and suggests some great books on the theme.

Why Rewrites to Roald Dahl’s Books Are Stirring Controversy – there have been numerous articles, opinion pieces and comments on this subject over the last week. This article in TIME contains comments from Professor Karen Sands O’Connor, co-author of the Beyond the Secret Garden articles for Books for Keeps. An update: Puffin will now release The Roald Dahl Classic Collection, featuring original versions of his children’s books in addition to the revised books.

Branching Out: Books for Fans of Roald Dahl by Books for Topics – it felt like a good time to share this again.

The Reading Realm: ART SHAPED: An interview with Darrell Wakelam – Ian Eagleton interviews Darrell Wakelam about the inspiration behind his new book ART SHAPED which is proving to be a big hit with schools as it is packed with creative ideas to share with children.

An Audience with….Aaron Becker – Join Aaron Becker, the author illustrator of teachers’ favourite wordless books Journey and A Stone for Sascha for an Audience With Aaron Becker on 10th March. 7-8.30pm. Aaron will be in conversation with Nikki Gamble plus audience questions. Aaron’s new book, The Tree and the River is published on the 6th April, but you can be one of the first to get hold of the book when you book a ticket to attend the event. Tickets are £15 and include the book (RRP £12.99) and postage. Books will be sent before the event (while stock lasts) Booking via the link above.

In praise of “slow librarianship” by Nick Poole CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals – I was made aware of this interesting article by this quote shared online recently, ‘It is slow librarianship that allows a school librarian to nurture a ‘reading community’ in their school, to create a place of safety and empathy for their learners and to build connections with teaching staff that enhance and extend Curriculum-based teaching.’ The whole article is well worth reading as it stresses the need for making connections and building communities.

British Science Week Resources – British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that takes place every year in March. British Science Week 2023 will take place between 10th – 19th March. The theme for this year is Connections. The Literacy Hive has come to our rescue again with a selection of links to resources, activities, recommended book lists and magazines, competitions and much more. A valuable resource all year round.

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Q&A with Karen McCombie – having just read Karen’s latest book for Just Imagine (see above) this blog post about her book, The Broken Dragon, published by Barrington Stoke was well timed. It’s an interesting interview and as Karen said on Twitter this week, “Just because a book is a quick-read, it doesn’t mean it’s not a rich read.”

School Library Association Webinar: Empathy Lab book collection 2023 – Sarah Mears MBE, Empathy Lab Founder and Libraries Connected Programme Manager, will be talking attendees through her selected highlights from the collection, explaining the ‘empathy angles’ that guided their book selection and outlining the skills they hope using the books will build. 3:30 – 4:30 Monday 27th February Free for SLA members £30 for non-members. Apologies for the last minute inclusion.

The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson becomes UK libraries’ most borrowed author – Data shows that crime writer James Patterson’s 14-year run as readers’ overall favourite has come to an end, with the children’s author taking the top spot.

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels – How to care for a pet cloud; overcoming bullies; a powerful tale of Muslim identity; a YA sci‑fi thriller, and more are among the latest books selected by Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian.

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

The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali Illustrated by Hatem Aly – The Proudest Blue is an inspiring picture book so when I heard about this new title by the same team I was interested to find out more. Prue Goodwin has written an excellent review for Just Imagine that gives a taste of what to expect. ‘Page by page, it acknowledges and celebrates the importance of children of having loving families, making reliable friends and attending schools where pupils feel confident and comfortable.’

The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean by Alastair Humphreys – this epic adventure sounds exciting and, according to teacher Paul Watson, has the added bonus of incorporating a range of text types making it a valuable resource as a writing prompt.

One More Mountain By Deborah Ellis – a Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month title on the LoveReading4Kids website this is the fifth book in the series that started with The Breadwinner. Set during the withdrawal of the US and UK forces in the August 2021 the latest episode of the story tells of Parvana’s work protecting girls and women suffering under the un-liberated rule of the Taliban.

That’s everything for this week and I hope something included here has been interesting or helpful to you. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy World Book Day.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on February 18, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. Award longlists announced, helpful articles, free events for children and adults; there’s a lot to choose from again.

What I’m reading…

I enjoyed The Agency for Scandal by Laura Wood immensely and I hope that my review for Just Imagine reflects that. This YA novel was most definitely a book that proved a welcome escape from real life for a while and I’m grateful to Jo Bowers for somehow realising that was just what I needed. Last week I described it as a little like Jane Austen with added oomph and now having finished it I stand by that description. And there’s a sequel due next year too which has made me smile.

The Rivet Boy by Barbara Henderson was a very different sort of historical novel, this time for a readership of about 9+ but was also an enjoyable and interesting read. There are several aspects of this engaging story that will appeal to young readers. Set in late Victorian times and based on, and including, real live events surrounding the building of the Forth Bridge, I think the intertwining of historical fact and exciting story is extremely well executed enabling children to learn alongside being entertained. Recommended for Upper Primary onwards.

News, articles and resources…

Wordless Wonders by Simon Smith – blog posts by picture book lover and head teacher, Simon Smith are always worth a read. In this interesting and helpful post he explores the way in which wordless picture books can be used to prompt exploration, language discovery, storytelling and writing. He also suggests some excellent books for you to use and enjoy. I warn you, this could be an expensive read as my wish list has grown!

Klaus Flugge Prize Long List Announced – from the over forty books submitted 16 books have been selected for the longlist for the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize. This prize is awarded to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration and this year independent publishers including small presses UCLan, Lantana, Child’s Play, Flying Eye and Book Island are all represented. The shortlist will be announced on 17th May and the winner in September. The judges have a difficult task as it’s a wonderful long list.

Yoto Carnegies 2023 Longlists Announced – A total of 31 books have been recognised, with 15 books selected for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing longlist, and 18 for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration. Some of my personal favourites from the last year or so have been included and I’m particularly delighted to see Once Upon a Tune by James Mayhew and The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton on the illustration longlist. Congratulations to Barrington Stoke who have two books on the Writing longlist although there is a poignancy in seeing Wrath by the much missed Marcus Sedgwick included.

Young Quills 2023 – the longlist – The Young Quills for Historical Fiction is a competition for adult authors of historical fiction written for children and young people. The books can be on any historical period and subject. It is the readers – young people – who help decide the shortlist by reading and reviewing each of the books. You can see which books are on the longlist for each age group on the website above. Some real gems are included.

London LitSoc Kids’ Book Club – organised by the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival team this monthly book club is a great way of encouraging reading for pleasure. Every month they recommend a title to their mailing list for children to read, followed by an event with the author at St Pauls School Barnes where children are able to ask their questions and have their books signed. The next event is on 25th February with Hannah Gold with The Lost Whale and in March they will be hosting Aisling Fowler with Fireborn. You can find more details on the official website above.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival Schools’ Programme – this is another great initiative! This year the festival team plan to provide more than 13,000 free places for primary schools in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Kingston, Twickenham and Barnes. The brings your pupils together with their favourite authors, as well as some exciting new voices, to explore a variety of topics linked to the national curriculum and guaranteed to inspire our next generation of readers and writers. Booking opens later this month and I shall share further details next week but you can sign up for information on the website above. I will also be doing a special book giveaway next week on Twitter so watch this space!

Exploring engaging families in reading for pleasure – if you missed the Engaging Families webinar, hosted by World Book Day in partnership with the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, the National Literacy Trust and the Open University, you can watch a video of the event with the accompanying downloadable resources above.

Open University Reading for Pleasure: Top Texts for February 2023 – Dan Northover, senior lecturer at the University of West England has chosen some fabulous fantasy texts for KS2 including The Worlds We Leave Behind by by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Levi Pinfold which has been long listed in both categories of the Yoto Carnegies this week.

Reading Zone: Create a Picture Book Competition 2023 – ReadingZone, in partnership with World Book Day is challenging those aged four to 18 years to make a picture book for the ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2023, The competition is open to schools, libraries and homes until midnight on Friday 21st April 2023 and is a great book-based activity for World Book Day.

An evening with Candy Gourlay – David Fickling Books & Just Imagine invite you to an evening Candy Gourlay to celebrate the publication of Wild Song. Candy will be in conversation with Nikki Gamble on Friday 3rd March 2023 from 7.00 – 8.00 pm for this free on line event for adults, but children may watch with you.

Comics in the classroom: using comics and graphic novels to boost reading for pleasure – Created in conjunction with BooksForTopics, this free one-hour online session for primary schools will be hosted by Peters’ Children’s Librarian and graphic novels and comics specialist, Lucy Forrester, along with Lucy Starbuck-Braidley, Programme Manager at National Literacy Trust and host of the new Comic Boom: Comics in Educationpodcast. Richard Ruddick, Year 6 teacher and Comics in Class blogger will also talk about how he’s already using comic books in his own classroom. Tuesday 28th February 3.45pm – 4.45pm.

Why schools need inclusive books – in this article for Book Trust author Victoria Williamson explains why including books about lots of different experiences is crucial in a school.

Book Blast February 2023 – if you missed Nikki Gamble’s look at her favourite new children’s books being published this month it’s now available to watch on YouTube. Plus there is a chance to win one of Just Imagine’s Big Bonanza Book Blast Boxes. Subscribe to the YouTube channel linked above, answer the question at the end of the presentation and email it along with your Name, School Name and School Address to assistant@justimagine.co.uk. This competition closes at 12 noon on February 28th.

Scott Evans The Reader Teacher Cover Reveal and Book Giveaway – Scott Evans will be well known to children’s book lovers but you may not know that his book, 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Reading for Pleasure, is out on 30 March 2023 published by Bloomsbury. It’s available to preorder now but if you are on Twitter and retweet the tweet found via the link above you could win a free copy. A great opportunity!

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

Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King Illustrated by Claire Powell – this new murder mystery story sounds great fun and is also the start of a new series. Mary Esther Judy describes it as , “Fast-paced, rollicking; chock-full of mystery, family and friendship.” Out now from Walker Books for age 9+

My Name is Sunshine Simpson by G M Linton – a book for us all to look forward to in May. Tom Griffiths has lots of positive things to say about this book being published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Windrush.

Swimming on the Moon by Brian Conaghan – a Book of the Month on the LoveReading4Kids website, Louise Owen says “This funny, honest, beautiful book about the bond between a neuro-typical girl and her nonverbal autistic twin perfectly captures pre-teen life”

That’s everything for this week and I hope the selection of links has been helpful. Happy reading!

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on February 11, 2023 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s round up of what has been happening in the world of children’s books. The highlights over the last few days included the announcements of the 2023 Read for Empathy collections and the judging panel for this year’s CLiPPA award, plus shortlist announcements for well known awards.

What I’m reading…

Despite by best intentions I have not had the time to make inroads into my huge to be read pile this week. However, I’m now three quarters of the way through the 500 plus pages of Laura Woods’ new YA book, The Agency for Scandal and am enjoying it immensely. It has been described online as perfect for fans of Bridgerton, which I confess I haven’t watched so can’t comment. To me it reads like Jane Austen with added oomph! The mix of historical mystery and romance is enthralling and the feminist thread running through the plot adds depth to the reading experience. Although I’ve not yet finished I know the fourteen year old me would have adored this. It’s proving to be a lovely escape for the adult me too.

Although I have not managed to read much I was determined to watch Nikki Gamble’s Audience With Shaun Tan last night. After a battle through roadworks, a broken down lorry and huge traffic jams on the M25 I made it in time and am so glad that I did. This conversation was much more than a chat about books ranging from the creative process, the relationship between text and illustration on the page and thought provoking comment about our current world situation. I’m still thinking about Shaun Tan’s words.

News, articles and resources…

Featuring death and grief in children’s books can equip them with skills to navigate emotional terrain – article in the Guardian by author Nova Weetman explores the way in which children’s books enable young readers to process difficult emotions in a safe space.

Boosting Students’ Literacy Skills With Help From the School Librarian – excellent article by school library consultant, Elizabeth Hutchinson, highlighting the importance of collaboration between school librarians and teachers to improve literacy levels. There are helpful links and practical suggestions.

Love My Books Newsletter February 2023 – the latest issue of this regular newsletter features an interview with author and storyteller Chitra Sounder, stories and rhymes at bedtime, how to make a story sack and this month’s Book in Focus, Big Green Crocodile by Jane Newberry illustrated by Carolina Rabei. This is an excellent resource for both families and educators.

CLiPPA 2023 Judges Announced – This year’s CLiPPA sees the 20th anniversary of this celebration of new poetry for children. Former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell OBE, who says we are in “a golden age of children’s poetry” is to chair the judging panel which also includes former winner, poet Valerie Bloom MBE. See who else is on the panel and find out more about this award via the CLPE website above. You may also be interested in this article in Books for Keeps about the announcement.

2023 Read For Empathy Collections Announced – Selected by expert judges, the 65 books for 3-16-year-olds, chosen for their empathy-building insights. The primary collection features 40 books for 3-11-year-olds; the secondary collection has 25 books for 12-16-year-olds. They include picture books, novels, poetry, non-fiction, graphic and verse novels. Guides for both Primary and Secondary are free to download from the website and there is notable diversity – over 45% of the contributors are people of colour, and many neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ authors. There is a vast array of resources, information, interviews and links available on the website so I would recommend making time for a browse.

Blue Peter’s Amazing Authors Competition – Children ages 5-15 are invited to write a short story or poem, and the winner will have their words turned into an audiobook by Tom Fletcher. Entries should be an original short story or poem in under 400 words, which captures the idea of adventure and features exciting characters and the closing date is 8th March. Full details on the BBC website above.

The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2023 – 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 will be hosted by Hachette Children’s Group who are looking for fiction writing in the picture book genre. Submissions are now open and close on 8th May.

Books That Help – last week I included a link to the latest category, Community and since then the website has moved to a new address and you can now find it on the link above.

A Different Kind of Streaming by Roy Moss for Just Imagine – another fascinating blog post from Roy looking at the cross-curriculum possibilities of the subject of rivers. Lots of excellent suggestions of books on the subject, helpful for all aspects from field trip preparation, and human geography to politics and environment.

National Literacy Trust World Book Day Support and Resources – World Book Day takes place on Thursday 2nd March and is one of the highlights of the children’s literary calendar. The National Literacy Trust are hosting online events on the day itself, have created teaching resources linked to books for use in schools plus parental engagement ideas. Lots of ideas here to help you plan for the big day.

Books are for life, not just World Book Day! – the World Book Day festivities can be an excellent launch of a whole school reading for pleasure initiative and this helpful article by Kayleigh Valentini and Ellen Counter on the HFL Education website explores this subject. It contains useful links and lots of suggestions for promoting a love of books within a school community.

The Children’s Book Show: LIVE online performances Friday 3rd March to celebrate World Book Day – a live digital event at 11am with award winning illustrator and writer Yasmeen Ismail sharing stories, drawing live and answering questions for children in Years 1, 2 and 3. At 1.30pm the legendary Frank Cottrell Boyce will be giving creative writing tips, reading, taking questions with children in Years 4,5 and 6. More details plus ticket prices etc via the link above.

Shortlist Announced for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2023 – This year’s shortlist, which includes four debut authors, will compete for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year and five other awards, including honours for fiction, illustration and a Junior Juries’ Award which will be decided by young readers from across the country. A total prize fund of €16,000 will be awarded to this year’s winners, who will be announced at a special ceremony at the International Literature Festival Dublin on Wednesday, 24th May.

CILIP SLG School Libraries in View January 2023 – School Libraries in View is the annual journal of the School Libraries Group and the latest edition is freely available to download now. It includes excellent articles by experts including outgoing Chair, Caroline Roche, Dr. Carol Webb, librarian at the Portsmouth Grammar School, Professor Teresa Cremin of the Open University. A valuable resource.

Waterstones Children’s Book Prize Shortlist 2023 – This year’s selection, as always chosen by Waterstones booksellers, is divided into three categories, Illustrated Fiction, Younger Readers and Older Readers. Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors, illustrators and publishers. I was pleased to see I am NOT a Prince written by Rachael Davis and illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher in the Illustrated Fiction category and The Book of Stolen Dreams by David Farr illustrated by Kristina Kister in the Younger Readers shortlist.

Nikki Gamble’s February Book Blast – a quick reminder that you can join Nikki Gamble on YouTube Sunday, 12th February 5.00 pm to discover the pick of the finest books published this month.

Lucas Maxwell’s Portable Magic Dispenser – the latest issue of Lucas’s monthly newsletter includes Manga Club activities, recommended titles and suggestions on how to encourage older students to use the school library.

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

I Remember by Jeanne Willis & Raquel Catalina – another helpful review by teacher, Paul Watson, this time of a sensitively written picture book exploring the subject of dementia. Paul’s review also includes a glimpse of the illustrations which look perfect for the subject matter.

How to Make a Story by Naomi Jones, illustrated by Ana Gomez – a different sort of picture book and one that may help our youngest readers learn to craft stories of their own. A really lovely, detailed review by Veronica Price suggests that this would be a valuable book for the primary classroom too.

The Nowhere Thief by Alice M Ross – an intriguing review by John Lloyd on The Bookbag of this new title published next month. An inventive fantasy drama that is full of surprises, this will no doubt appeal to many.

Growing in Confidence: Brilliant Books for Lower Key Stage Two – Kate Heap has reviewed a selection of books that will encourage children aged about 7-9 to become readers. The presentation, topics, and of course the stories themselves are all designed to appeal to this age group.

That’s everything for this week. On Wednesday 15th February the longlists for the Yoto Carnegie Medals will be announced with 67 books in contention for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing and 58 books for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration, – this includes 6 titles nominated for both medals. I’m sure there will be lots of heated discussion about the lists among children’s book lovers in the coming days! I hope those of you on half term break this week get the opportunity to rest and relax.

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