Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on January 15, 2022 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s round up of what has been happening in the world of children’s books. My usual system of collating news on a daily basis fell victim to unforeseen events this week I’m afraid so this is posted today with fingers crossed that I have not missed something vitally important. I do hope that you find this week’s collection helpful.

What I’m reading…


Regular readers of the blog will know that I am a fan of the publishers Barrington Stoke who aim to produce super readable books that enable all children and young people to experience the joy of reading. The classics can be daunting for many as the language, the complexity and the length may be a struggle to overcome. Laura Wood’s accessible adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for Barrington Stoke will ensure that this classic story reaches a new audience.

At the beginning of the week I read the much acclaimed The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros. Everyone raving about this remarkable story was right, it is an affecting and memorable read which although undeniably poignant and even raw at times manages to convey positivity and the depth of love too. Unfortunately my review has not yet been written due to my disrupted week but I’m hoping to post it in the next couple of days.

News, articles and resources…

Make a Miniature Book with Axel Scheffler – join Seven Stories for a very special school event with author and illustrator Axel Scheffler hosted in partnership with the British Library. Wednesday 19th January 2022, 11am Recommended age: Y3, Y4, Y5 & Y6 . Registration is FREE and open to schools anywhere. This sounds lovely and more details are available via the link.

OU Reading for Pleasure: Developing Informal Book Chat with Jon Biddle – In this 2-minute video, Jon Biddle explains how his school encourages informal booktalk. He highlights the need for initial scaffolding and teacher modelling as well as strategies that help to trigger more spontaneous child-led book blether reader to reader.

Which Books Do You Use in Your Year 1 Classroom? – Please can you support this research by Matthew Courtney @mattheweduk exploring representations of ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ identities & characters with disabilities in the books used in Year 1 classes. Sharing with other educators will help provide a fuller picture which will add value and make this research useful in the future. For more information and to complete a very quick survey please see the link above.

Literacy Year – thank you to OU Reading for Pleasure for sharing this in their newsletter. Literacy Hive have produced a free online calendar of events, awards, festivals and competitions to help with your literacy planning and encouraging reading for pleasure.

Tamzin Merchant on the Magic of Clothes in Stories – Tamzin Merchant’s debut novel for children, The Hatmakers, is Waterstones’ Book of the Month and in this blog for them she discusses the iconic clothing of children’s literature. I enjoyed reading The Hatmakers and if you want to find out more you may be interested in my review for Just Imagine.

Pulling a White Rabbit Out of a Hat: Interview with Zaro Weil – When Poems Fall From the Sky is one of my favourite recent poetry books for children and this interesting interview on the Reading Realm provides an insight in to Zaro’s creative process.

Branching Out: How to move readers on when they are stuck on a particular series or author – a guest post by Alison Leach of Books for Topics on the Peters website. Recommending books to pupils is key to a school librarian or teacher’s role in supporting reading and Alison has some excellent suggestions.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit Holocaust Memorial Day Event with Michael Morpurgo – another event from Seven Stories The National Centre for Children’s Books. Thursday 27th January 2022, 11am
Recommended age: Y5, Y6, Y7, Y8 and Y9. An opportunity to hear Michael Morpurgo talk about the book and his friendship with Judith Kerr. You will also be able to see childhood drawings and notes from the Seven Stories archive and hear extracts from the book.

Sophia Duleep Singh: Princess and suffragette inspires children’s book – Sufiya Ahmed’s new book, My Story: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, for nine to 13-year-olds, has been launched at Ancient House museum in Thetford, Norfolk, which was founded by Sophia’s brother, Frederick Duleep Singh, in 1921. Only last year I discovered this remarkable woman thanks to Bali Rai’s book The Royal Rebel and now want to read this new look at her life.

What To Do When a Teen Tells You They Hate Reading – an excellent and helpful article for Book Riot by school librarian Lucas Maxwell containing useful ideas to persuade teens who think reading is “boring”.

National Literacy Trust Holocaust Memorial Day Resources – a reminder of these free resources for schools. A live event on Monday 24th January with author Tom Palmer and a Holocaust survivor has been added to these and it is necessary to register for this. Full details and links to the additional resources are available via the link above.

Authorfy Author of the Week Videos – in case you have missed this great free resource, each week a different author is highlighted and a video and downloadable book extract is available on the website. This is a good way to introduce your students to new authors and books.

National Storytelling Week 2022 – this annual celebration of storytelling takes place 29th January – 5th February and is a chance to promote and encourage storytelling in your classroom. You can find out more about three event via the official website, link above. You may also be interested in the teaching resources available on the BBC website here.

Life-Changing Libraries: How to develop a Reading for Pleasure culture – online event supported by Arts Council England for primary teachers, literacy leads, school librarians and parents. Emily Drabble and Catherine Millar will be talking about their work with Cressida Cowell on her ‘Life-Changing Libraries’ campaign. Thursday 3rd February 19:30 – 21:00 and you can register via the link

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

Kew Lift and Look Birds by Tracy Cottingham – published just in time for the Big Garden Bird Watch at the end of this month this board book sounds perfect for encouraging very young children to enjoy the birds in their local area. Andrea Reece highlights both its interactive appeal and the fact it is full of information in her review for LoveReading4Kids .

Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon by Vashti Hardy – illustrated young fiction is brilliant for encouraging reading for pleasure and this second book in a series by award winning author Vashti Hardy sounds like an excellent example of the genre. As Erin Hamilton says in her review: “this series goes from strength to strength.”

Raven Winter by Susanna Bailey – any review that says “Perfect for fans of Gill Lewis, Susanna’s books unpick challenging issues, whilst celebrating the great outdoors and the healing power of nature.” is guaranteed to pique my interest. I have not read any books by this author yet but Emma Kuyateh’s positive review has persuaded me to add this title to my wish list.

That’s everything for this week and I hope to be able to catch up with anything I have missed, particularly book reviews, and share it with you next Saturday. Happy reading!

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Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – A Retelling by Laura Wood

Posted on January 10, 2022 by alibrarylady

The publishers Barrington Stoke aim to produce super readable books that enable all children and young people to experience the joy of reading. The classics can be daunting for many as the language, the complexity and the length may be a struggle to overcome. The story of Elizabeth Bennett and Darcy contains themes that would appeal to teen readers and Laura Wood’s accessible adaptation will ensure that this classic story reaches a new audience.

Cover artwork by Helen Crawford-White

When rich and handsome Mr Bingley moves into the local area Mrs Bennett, mother to five daughters, cannot contain her excitement. She plots and plans, cajoling her husband into making invitations. Elizabeth, the second eldest daughter, and a spirited, witty and intelligent young woman has no wish to make a marriage of convenience. While her older sister Jane develops an attraction for Mr Bingley, Lizzie finds his equally wealthy and handsome friend Mr. Darcy aloof, proud and selfish. She sets her face against any prospect of marrying such an unagreeable man. However in a confined society their paths are destined to cross again and again and perhaps the first impressions of both may have been mistaken.

Condensing this beloved story into an abridged form told in contemporary language must have been a daunting task but Laura Wood has managed to retain the lightness that helped to make the original so popular. Inevitably some parts of the story have to be left out and the author fills in the gaps with care so that the main storyline and the relationships between the characters are conveyed to today’s young readers. Elizabeth’s spark and stubbornness is still there and Mr Darcey, although a little more sympathetic than I remember him initially, retains that aloof dignity. The story itself is told in short chapters and in a concise form but still has that recognisable appeal.

This would be an excellent book for secondary school libraries and classrooms providing an accessible version for dyslexic readers or children for whom English is not their first language. Its engaging style may also encourage reluctant or nervous readers to try the original version. It would be a valuable reference or quick reminder of the basic plot too. As with all Barrington Stoke books this is produced in a dyslexia friendly format and has been edited to a reading age of 9+ but with a teen readership in mind.

Pride and Prejudice: a retelling by Laura Wood was published on 6th January and I would like to thank the publishers for providing my review copy. Barrington Stoke have published other abridged adaptations of classic books and I would recommend Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights both by Tanya Landman.

Barrington Stoke have made the first chapter of this book available to provide a taste:

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on January 8, 2022 by alibrarylady

Welcome to the first Reading Matters newsletter of 2022 and I hope that everyone had a happy and healthy Christmas holiday. This week’s round up includes both a look back at the best of 2021 and a preview of some books we can look forward to at the start of this new year. There are events and resources too so why not settle down and explore.

What I’m reading…

Before we get stuck into a new year of reading I did have a look back at some of the wonderful books that I enjoyed most last year. You can find out more about them in 2021 – A Year in Children’s Books. One beautiful illustrated book stood out for me last year and I do think that Once Upon A Tune: Stories from the Orchestra by James Mayhew deserves a place in every primary school as it is both inspirational and enjoyable.

Over the Christmas break I caught up with some books that I had been intending to read for ages. Untwisted: the story of my writing life by Paul Jennings was a fascinating read and contains excellent advice for would be writers and also for educators trying to instil a love of reading and writing in their pupils. Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J Dodd is a beautiful and sensitive story exploring our relationship with wild animals and how nature can sometimes help to heal grief. A debut published in September 2021 with teaching resources available on the publishers’ website I think this would be excellent for upper primary children.

This week I have read Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi. Published to coincide with the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this is a powerful and important book. Excellent for KS3 and YR6 this book demonstrates the value of writing about recent historical events for young people to aid their understanding.

All of these books plus those included in the reviews section below can be purchased online via Bookshop.org

The highlight of my week was definitely Nikki Gamble’s Audience With Kate DiCamillo. One of my favourite authors she has a knack of conveying emotion and humanity in a few well chosen words. Listening to her was wonderful and I gave up writing down all the quotable things she said as it all resonated with me, and with everyone else attending I think. I will highlight one particular phrase which I recognised personally and maybe you will too, ‘I feel most like myself when I’m reading.’ Thank you to Nikki for making this special evening possible.

News, articles and resources…

BooksForTopics Books of the Year 2021 – the community of primary teachers, TAs, librarians, authors and children’s book lovers were asked to vote for their favourite children’s books published in 2021 and the winners were announced last week. There are several categories and this is a fabulous selection for the primary age group.

Discover CLPE staff’s favourite reads in 2021 – another wonderful range of books selected by the experts at the Centre for Literacy for Primary Education. The list is free to download and includes helpful summaries of the titles too.

The Reader Teacher January 2022 Books I’m Most Excited About – now looking ahead, Scott Evans previews some of the ‘middle grade’ books due to be published this month in his Coming Soon video and the year is getting off to a cracking start!

Costa Book Award Winners Announced – on 4th January the winners of the the different categories were announced and Crossings by Manjeet Mann is The Costa Children’s Book Award 2021 Winner. I have read several excellent reviews of this verse novel and hope to read it soon. You can find out who won the other categories and view the shortlists via the link above.

Tom Palmer’s Holocaust Day Memorial Day Resources – Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27th January and award winning author Tom Palmer has collaborated with the Literacy Trust to produce a range of free resources including videos and worksheets etc. The resources are designed to be used throughout the week beginning Monday 24 January 2022, and are suitable for use with students aged 9 to 14 (Upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3). More information is available via the link above.

Narniathon21: A Jovial Comedy – I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and participating in the series of posts discussing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe over the last week or so as part of this initiative organised by Chris Lovegrove. The link above takes you to Chris’s review and summary of this first book in the Narnia series. If you are interested in finding out more I would also recommend this post #Narniathon21: Through the door and the discussion in the comments which is fascinating. January sees the reading and discussion of Prince Caspian.

New research Girls: The Reluctant Girl Readers – the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Estée Lauder have produced a report on an aspect of reading that does not always receive attention. Data from their 2021 Annual Literacy Survey, in which 21,696 girls aged 8 to 18 from across the UK participated, indicates that more than 2 in 5 (44.1%) of them don’t enjoy reading. For more background and fuller details please use the link above.

January Book Blast with Nikki Gamble – on Monday 10th January at 7pm catch up with the children’s books out in January with Nikki Gamble and there is the chance to win some lovely books too. Registration is free via the link above.

Book Trust: 10 films based on children’s books due in 2022 – some favourite children’s books are being turned into movies in 2022, find out which ones via the link plus there are versions being made for TV too.

Book Trust: New Children’s Books We Love – every month, the Book Trust team review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones they like best in January divided into age group categories.

The Most Popular Manga for High School Students – school librarian Lucas Maxwell’s article for Book Riot highlights the titles that are most popular with his students from age 11 or 12 right up to 18.

Mr Dilly Meets – Christopher Lloyd and Jenny Pearson – a date for your diary. On Wednesday, January 19th 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM a free event for schools. If you are unable to watch live, the event will also be available to view directly afterwards on the MR DILLY YOU TUBE channel. You can find our more about the event and register via the link above.

Firefly Press publishes Manon Steffan Ros’ The Blue Book of Nebo – the English adaptation of this award winning book was published this week and this article has pushed it to the top of my reading pile.

Jericho Prize Finalists Announced – The Jericho Prize is a new prize for unpublished and self-published Black-British writers. The five finalists in two categories, picture book (4+) and short chapter book (7-9) are Cabbi Charles, Diane Ewen, Seymour Lavine, Ellah Dinnall and Abimbola Salami. The 2021 award winners will be announced on 27 January 2022. You can meet the finalists in the video via the link.

An Evening with Anne Fine – Nikki Gamble, David Fickling and Old Barn Books invite you to an Evening with Anne Fine on 1st February at 7pm. Anne has two new novels publishing in February: Shades of Scarlet, published by David Fickling Books and Aftershocks published by Old Barn Books. The webinar is free and you can register via the link.

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

The Queen in the Cave by Julia Sarda – Mélanie McGilloway reviews this picture book and hosts an interview with its creator in this fascinating blogpost. Published in October 2021 I had missed this book but the peep provided looks stunning and it is so interesting to learn about the story behind the art.

Meg and Merlin: Making Friends by Tanya Landman & Sonia Albert – the latest title by Tanya Landman for Barrington Stoke was published this week. In my experience ‘pony books’ are popular in school libraries and Kate Heap says in her review: “This lovely story is perfect for horse lovers and anyone who has a dream.’’ One for school librarians’ to buy lists!

The Secret of the Treasure Keepers by A.M. Howell – regular readers of the blog will know that I have a soft spot for historical fiction and I very much like the sound of this. Veronica Price says, “You rapidly lose yourself in the mystery, making it very difficult to put the book down or cease to think about the characters and their plight even when you have to break away and return to everyday reality!” This author’s previous books have been immensely popular with teachers in the classroom and this sounds like another winner.

The Sad Ghost Club Volume 1 by Lize Meddings – there has been chat online about the popularity of this graphic novel in secondary school libraries so this review caught my attention. The first book was published in December with the second due out this month. The Sad Ghost Club community has over half a million followers on instragram so it clearly has that special something. I’m tempted to get hold of a copy now. The LoveReading4Kids review linked above tells you more.

That’s everything for this week and I hope you have found something among the links of interest or helpful. My reading weekend is starting with Laura Wood’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for Barrington Stoke. I hope you have a happy weekend with some time for reading. A reminder that all the books featured in this newsletter can be bought on the Bookshop.org website. Happy reading!

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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Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi

Posted on January 7, 2022 by alibrarylady

Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi was published to coincide with the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is a powerful and important book at any time. Despite the subject matter of discrimination and prejudice this is a story of hope and understanding.

Twelve year old Yusuf is starting middle school and although a little nervous he is looking forward to new adventures and most especially to competing in the regional robotics competition. On his first day he discovers a note in his new locker bearing a cruel message and his joyful anticipation dwindles.

Yusuf’s family are Pakistani Americans, his father owns the local store, his mother works from home and Yusuf is close to his little sister. They are part of a friendly Muslim community who are working together to build a new mosque just outside the town of Frey where the family live. Yusuf does not confide in his parents about the notes which appear almost daily in his locker, nor does he tell his best friend Danial. However as the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks draws near the forthcoming commemorative parade prompts a hostile group of townspeople to protest against the mosque. Yusuf is also finding himself up against a bully at school whose father is leading the protest. As the Muslim community becomes more nervous Yusuf’s school life, his friendships and his family life struggle in the face of prejudice and discrimination.

Saadia Faruqi deftly conveys this story across two time periods with the inclusion of Yusuf’s Uncle Rahman’s journal which he has passed on to the boy. The interweaving of the events of 2001 and the present day captures the trauma of the attacks on the American people and the lasting impact they have had on the communities affected. Although the subject matter is distressing Faruqi has an understanding of her readers and descriptions are not graphic but they do convey the emotions felt by the people involved. As an inter -faith activist the author concentrates on the power of communication and understanding to breach the divide between people and this is a hopeful and positive read.

The everyday school life, the boys’ friendships and family life are full of the little details that children will recognise and enjoy reading. There are some interesting characters in Yusuf’s life, both adults and children. His teacher, Mr Parker, is full of enthusiasm and kindness, and school boy Jared deserves a story of his own. The dynamics of the friendships as they are tested and reconciled are well written and young readers will, I think, engage with these character and the moments of humour. Yusuf himself is a wonderful blend of shy, quiet and maybe a bit of a nerd, but on the other hand loyal, principled and determined, learning to stand up for what he believes and for what is right.

Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero is a powerful story with an important message. As Yusuf’s Uncle Rahman says, “History informs the present , …and so it affects the future.” This book would be excellent for KS3 and YR6 and demonstrates the value of writing about recent historical events for young people to aid their understanding. There are teaching notes available on Saadia Faruqi’s website.

I should like to thank the publishers, Quill Tree Books, for my proof copy. Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero was published in October 2021. You may be interested in A Thousand Questions also written by Saadia Faruqi which is set in modern day Karachi, and is told from the perspectives of two eleven year old girls.

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Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J. Dodd

Posted on January 6, 2022 by alibrarylady

An animal story with a difference Keeper of Secrets, Sarah J. Dodd’s debut, explores our relationship with wild animals and how nature can sometimes help to heal grief. This is a perfect, thoughtful winter read.

When eleven year old Emily arrives at Badger Cottage with her vet Dad shortly after the death of her mother she does not think that it will ever be like home for them both. Feeling lost and lonely and with her father coping with his own desperate sense of loss Emily is in need of friendship and kindness. In the midst of a local battle between a local conservation project to rewild the lynx in the woods and the local farmers who are against the initiative, Emily forges a friendship with a baby animal. She then has a mystery to solve and misunderstandings with new neighbours to negotiate and Emily gradually finds her life changing in ways she had not anticipated.

This story of grief, loneliness, friendship and compassion is told with a quiet understanding of young readers who may share Emily’s experiences or perhaps some of them. As an exploration of coping with grief and loneliness this is both kind and reassuring. Emily is quiet and sad but brave and resourceful too. Sometimes quiet books such as this one convey messages that speak to many children and the themes of re-wilding and country life are topical and interesting to young readers. It would prompt an interesting discussion on the different attitudes of those living in rural and urban neighbourhoods to nature and our relationships with it too. Both the characters and the conflict are written in a believable manner that adds to the understanding.

Sarah Dodd has combined an involving plot with a sensitive study of the effects of grief and loneliness in a book that is both accessible and enjoyable. It is an impressive achievement and I can see this book being popular with the upper primary age group and perhaps used as a class reader. The setting in a snowy, wood as Christmas approaches, beautifully captured in the writing, lends the story to a winter evening read and this would be a perfect book to curl up with.

I should like to thank the publishers, Firefly Press for my review copy. Keeper of Secrets was published in September 2021 and is available to purchase online at bookshop.org The publishers have created a comprehensive range of teaching resources which can be downloaded on their official website 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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Untwisted: the story of my life by Paul Jennings

Posted on January 4, 2022 by alibrarylady

Untwisted is an enjoyable and revealing look at a writer’s life. Paul Jennings explores both the inspiration to write and the effects a need to write have on an author with a refreshing candour that ensures this book is a fascinating read.

Paul Jennings is a natural storyteller. The writing is sensitive and humorous and his style has an openness that provides an insight into the author’s mind and reading this book feels rather like sitting down together for a chat. I can well understand why young readers find Jennings’ style so engaging. His appeal to children in his novellas and short stories transfers successfully to an appeal to adults in this thoughtful memoir.

Rather than telling his life story in a strict chronological order Paul Jennings uses anecdotes and episodes grouped in themes which move around periods in his life. This works well as the links and common threads are picked up again and again as you read. He is refreshingly candid and not afraid to discuss marriage breakdown, mental health and family relationships. In particular the writing about his relationship with his father is at times deeply affecting. There are funny anecdotes, memories of childhood and snapshots of life as a teacher with all its joys and difficulties. At times funny and at others heartbreaking I found Paul Jennings an engaging narrator.

Unsurprisingly this book contains excellent advice for would be writers and also for educators trying to instil a love of reading and writing in their pupils. Jennings submitted a short writing piece to a magazine when he was 13 which was rejected. Dismayed and demoralised by what he perceived to be a failure he did not write again until he reached 40. His success as a children’s author may partly be explained by his understanding of the worries, concerns and emotions of children and what matters most to them. His vivid recollections of childhood problems and experiences are inspirations for many of his stories.

This interesting and enjoyable memoir would be of particular interest to any children’s book lovers however the reflection on life, on choices made, the joy shared and the difficulties encountered is relevant to all. I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating book.

Untwisted: the stories of my life by Paul Jennings is published by Old Barn Books. I would like to thank Ruth Huddleston for providing my proof copy and apologies that it took me far too long to get round to reading it. I wish I had read it earlier now!

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Once Upon A Tune: Stories from the Orchestra by James Mayhew

Posted on December 31, 2021 by alibrarylady

2021 saw the publication of many thoughtful and inspiring picture books of different types. One book in particular defies categorisation and yet is one that deserves a place in every single primary school. Once Upon A Tune: Stories from the Orchestra by James Mayhew is wonderful; stunning, evocative illustrations paired with beautiful storytelling. This is a gorgeous book and perfect for introducing children to the world of classical music.

Six traditional stories from many lands that inspired classical composers are retold in James Mayhew’s beautiful storytelling style with its lyrical phrasing ensuring that this book would be a treat to read aloud. We enjoy the mayhem of the magical broom in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, sail the seas with Sinbad in the stories told by Scheherazade, and learn about the hero William Tell. Although the stories are famous these versions full of magic, love, bravery, epic journeys and adventures are written with a young audience in mind and have a fairy tale quality to them.

The multi-layered illustrations are sumptuous with collage of printed papers, rubbings, fabric, lace and music manuscript brought together in an exquisite style. The changing tones used for the different stories captures both the essence of the stories and the countries from which they originate. The bright skies and cheerful colours of Northern Europe contrast with the sweeping richness and vibrancy of Persia. It is beautifully done and would encourage the reader, or listener, to linger and look for longer.

This stunning book is truly a labour of love, its publication was delayed and it was worth the wait. The last two years have been hard for the arts with theatres shut for a long period, musical concerts cancelled and galleries inaccessible for many. Children have missed out on something of great value and James Mayhew has brought the world of the arts to them in one complete and appealing package. Once Upon A Tune: Stories from the Orchestra provides great cross-curricular potential for schools and I think a copy of this book should be in every primary school library. There are helpful musical notes at the end of the book where you can find out more about the stories and music plus James’s recommend recordings to download and listen to.

I have had the privilege of attending some of James Mayhew’s concerts in the past and I love how he demystifies classical music for children, and for families too. The combination of magical stories, stunning painting and live music is an unforgettable experience. When ever I hear Scheherazade on the radio now I instantly see James painting in my mind! Once Upon A Tune has brought some of that experience to an even wider audience. The arts are important for so many reasons and the effect they have on our well being is just as important as their value educationally and this lovely book does so much to convey that importance. James has created a Spotify list to accompany the book, and there are teaching notes created by James Mayhew and Siu Chui Li available on the Otter Barry website. All of this enables schools to bring the magic combination of stories, art and music into the classroom. What an achievement and what a special book.

I should like to thank the publishers, Otter Barry Books, and Catherine Ward for providing my review copy. Once Upon a Tune: Stories From the Orchestra was published in September 2021 and is available to purchase online at 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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2021 – A Year in Children’s Books

Posted on December 29, 2021 by alibrarylady

It is those few days between Christmas and New Year when we start to anticipate what the coming year may bring and also a time to reflect on the last twelve months. Others have written about their favourite books of 2021 and I have enjoyed reading lists of top tens and top twenties of fiction for different age groups and picture books too. Despite the number of books I have read this year I know there are many excellent ones on my shelves and ‘want to read lists’ that I have not yet managed to read. Therefore I am not collating a ‘best of 2021’ list. Instead I prefer to share some of the many books that have had an impact on me over the last year, either lifting my spirits, providing an escape, making me think or teaching me. Despite the difficulties it has been a good year for children’s books and that, I think, is a cause for celebration.

Among the many books published in January was a debut that I had been eagerly looking forward to reading. The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr is an evacuee story with a difference. This beautifully told, tender story of two young brothers, a mystery, and a community that holds secrets of its own captivated me from the opening scenes to its satisfying conclusion. It was really rather special. I have to admit that historical fiction for children is probably the genre that regularly appeals to me and I was spoilt for choice in 2021. Fiction set in Ancient Rome is a little harder to find and I was intrigued to find out more about Annelise Gray’s first novel for children. Circus Maximus: Race to the Death is an epic adventure with a personal story at its heart and is a book that both excites and engages the reader from the opening page. Hugely enjoyable, full of breathtaking action the story hurtles the reader into a different historical world featuring, in Dido, a character who today’s young readers will relate to and root for. I loved this and am very much looking forward to reading the sequel which is published in February.

Returning to World War 2, Tom Palmer’s meticulous research is evident in the detail of his stories and Arctic Star is no exception to this. This book is rooted in the true story of the Arctic convoys and Tom Palmer has tackled a subject of unimaginable loss, endurance and bravery and succeeded in writing a book that deserves a place in every single school classroom and library. I learned a lot from this thoughtful and engrossing story. When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle is the winner of the Books Are My Bag Readers Choice Award and The Times Children’s Book of the Year so I am not alone in rating this book highly. An extraordinary story told with compassion and understanding. Dealing with the darkest of human emotions; anger, loss, grief, fear and humiliation it shows us that these can be overcome with love, understanding and forgiveness if we can only learn to allow it, it is a story I will not forget.

Before I leave history behind for this year there are two more books that I must include. For older readers of 12 plus When The World Was Ours by Liz Kessler is an outstanding and powerful book. Days after I finished reading this I was still thinking about it; a compelling, heartbreaking story it is also one that highlights the importance of friendship, hope and love and those seemingly tiny moments that can, in reality, make a huge difference. A story of the Holocaust that had a profound impact on me. Hilary McKay has a way of writing that encourages me to believe her characters are real people, more so I think than any other writer around at the moment. Spanning the period from 1931 until 1947, The Swallows’ Flight is superb, a story of immense hope and love which restores your faith in the infinite possibilities that life holds. I will treasure this book and it is one I know I will read again and again.

Not all my reading in 2021 involved visiting historical events. Sometimes a book takes me completely by surprise and this year that book was The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell. It is a children’s book so wise, tender and comforting that as I read it I wanted to press it in to the hands of everyone I know. A beautiful and lyrical story of family, loss, friendship and forgiveness it completely captured me. A wonderful and enthralling adventure that can be enjoyed for its own sake this is also a sensitive life lesson in learning to forgive and to live each day fully. Another lovely book dealing with the subject of family and grief is The Elephant by Peter Carnavas. The short chapters, the charming illustrations so perfectly complementing the story, and the narrative voice all combine to make this an accessible and appealing book for children. I read this in one sitting as the lump in my throat grew steadily bigger. It’s a really kind book and one I would recommend if you have missed it.

I have long been a fan of Gill Lewis’s books for children; she incorporates an understanding and love of nature in her work that I particularly enjoy. Swan Song published by Barrington Stoke is a thoughtful and sensitively written story about teenage mental health which highlights the power of nature to restore and heal troubled minds. A lovely book with a valuable and comforting message. A Street Dog Named Pup is a profoundly moving, compelling and powerful read that will break the hardest of hearts yet is so full of love and loyalty that it restores your faith in the importance of the bond of friendship and the value of hope when times are dark and difficult.

I found the title, The Book of Stolen Dreams impossible to resist. This epic fantasy adventure is exhilarating, exciting and compelling but also, ultimately, moving. David Farr is probably best known as a theatre director and screenwriter for dramas such as The Night Manager and this is his first book for children. An intricate plot, fantastic characters and an imagined world that is both vivid and believable make this a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.

Illustration can, when it is done well, intensify the emotional impact of fiction written for children and young people. This year I read two remarkable books that are excellent examples of this. Hideaway by Pam Smy manages to be both raw and disturbing and hopeful and loving. The pairing of text and illustrations is beautifully executed and in one particular section of the book the stunning pictures alone ‘speak’ to the reader in a profoundly moving manner. Julia and the Shark, the latest book by awarding-winning author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, is the first that is a collaboration with her artist husband Tom de Freston and it is stunning in both presentation and content. Although slightly different in tone to her previous titles for children Hargrave’s fluid writing style and ability to convey great emotion in few words is apparent in this story of family, environment, friendship and mental health.

There were many other books that I read and enjoyed over the last year but I could be here until 2023 if I mentioned them all. But…I also want to quickly highlight Melt by Ele Fountain which has a mystery to solve, engaging characters to empathise with and themes of family, friendship and conservation and StormTide, the thrilling conclusion to the FloodWorld trilogy by Tom Huddleston set in a dystopian world ravaged by climate change both of which have a timely resonance that will appeal to many.

Well, this has grown into a long list and I’ve not touched on picture books, non-fiction and poetry! If you want to read more about any of the books mentioned you can click on the title to read my full review. The books are also listed on Bookshop.org if you have been tempted. It has definitely been a good year for children’s fiction. I wonder what 2022 will bring?

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on December 11, 2021 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to the last Reading Matters newsletter of the year. Despite the difficulties we have faced in 2021 there is a kindness in the children’s book and education community that makes things easier. Thank you to everyone who has created, shared, or inspired the lovely book chat that has cheered and comforted us all. There are too many to name but I appreciate it very much and hope that you have a happy and, most importantly, a healthy Christmas.

What I’m reading…

It has been a bit of a Paul Jennings week for me. Following Nikki Gamble’s Audience with this popular author last week I borrowed the audio version of A Different Dog and A Different Land from my library to complete my reading of the trilogy. A Different Dog, in a similar way to A Different Boy, took me in a different direction to the one I was anticipating from the opening pages. Paul Jennings’ writing style is spare and yet revealing. He leaves the reader to fill the gaps and each story has contained a great deal of emotion without the writing expressing those emotions directly, if that makes sense. I’m halfway through his memoir, Untwisted, which is both revealing and interesting. This weekend I plan to listen to A Different Land.

I have already mentioned how much I enjoy picture books illustrated by Richard Jones and this week I wrote my review of Little Bear, the second book Richard has both written and illustrated. It is a beautiful book, both the text and the pictures are full of thoughtful kindness and understanding. It would be a lovely Christmas present and contains a reassuring message for children.

News, articles and resources…

Books on Christmas TV List – Compiled by Helen Smith, librarian at Eckington School, this free guide provides details of films and TV series with literary links that are available to watch over Christmas. This is a vast amount of work for Helen and it has become a Christmas tradition among school librarians each year to share this among pupils, staff and parents. Thank you very much, Helen.

42 best books for children 2021 – stories for all ages chosen by The Sunday Times’ children’s book experts Nicolette Jones and Alex O’Connell. This is a comprehensive collection featuring picture books, festive titles, fantasy, historical, non-fiction and YA titles. Great for Christmas presents and for highlighting gems you may have missed.

Black Children’s Books for Christmas 2021 – this fantastic selection of books is handpicked by Fabia Turner on her Candid Cocoa blog and all are good quality in terms of Black cultural/ethnic representation. A lovely list well worth exploring.

Why Can’t We Let Fictional Kids Be Mean? By Ross Montgomery – this guest post on the Federation of Children’s Books Groups by the author of The Midnight Guardians and The Chime Seekers is definitely worth a read. It would be a brilliant book club discussion prompt.

Julia and the Shark’s writers on their pandemic-driven book lauded by Waterstones – This stunning novel written and illustrated by husband-and-wife duo, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston, has been named children’s gift of the year by Waterstones. You can read more about the inspiration for the story in this article in the Guardian.

2021 PEPELT December Reading Challenge – this is a really lovely version of the adventure calendar. Behind each of the 24 doors is a video read-aloud by a picture book author/ illustrator or an animated version of a picturebook. Apologies that this is a little late, I only discovered this last weekend, it would be great to share and you may like to catch up with what you’ve missed.

The best children’s and YA books of 2021 – chosen by Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian this selection of books are inspiring, magical, moving and enlightening and are an example of the quality literature available for children and young people at the moment.

Reading Africa Week 2021 – First launched by Catalyst Press in 2017, #ReadingAfrica week is gaining momentum, with more and more readers are sharing their favourite African books on social media with the hashtag. The team at World Kid Lit have put together a list of their favourite children’s books from Africa. You can check out the list and find out more about this annual event via the link.

Q&A with Natasha Farrant author of The Girl Who Talks To Trees – another fascinating guest post on the Federation of Children’s Book Groups website, always a reliable source of interesting and entertaining articles. This one is full of ideas to encourage children to engage with nature.

BookTrust New children’s books we love – December’s collection of picturebooks, fiction and non-fiction for all ages from babies to teens includes books on a Christmas theme and a range of genres for all tastes. There are several that I have read, enjoyed and reviewed included and I do like the sound of The Christmas Department Store.

Young Quills 2021 – the winners – A little later than usual the Historical Association announced the winners of the Young Quills Awards for Historical Fiction for Children for 2021. I was delighted to see After the War by Tom Palmer awarded the prize for the 10-13 year group. Congratulations, Tom! You can find out who won the other categories and view the shortlists via the link.

Harper Collins Children’s Books snaps up Beverley Naidoo’s first novel in over a decade – Children of the Stone City by Carnegie Medal winning Naidoo will publish in the UK and US in October 2022. It is set in a world where Adam and Leila and their friend Zak “live as Nons under the Permitted ruling class”. The publisher said, “it is a thrilling, resonant and inspiring novel about justice, privilege and the power of the young to strive for change.”

#Narniathon21 begins – I’m really looking forward to this! Participants are asked to read the Chronicles of Narnia in publication order, beginning with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe & continuing with one book per month. If you would like to join in you have the chance to feedback on the last Friday of each month both on Chris Lovegrove’s blog and on Twitter. The first one will actually be on Thursday 30th December to avoid New Year’s Eve. Chris explains it more clearly on his blog!

Become a story-making superstar with Andy Jones and Olaf Falafel – a free event from the Reading Agency. A virtual story-making workshop for schools on 15 December. Suitable for KS2 and you can register via the link.

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels – another tempting selection from Imogen Russell Williams. This includes another mention for The Christmas Department Store and two non-fiction books I rate highly, We All Celebrate and Black and British: An Illustrated History.

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

The Christmas Star by Hilary Robinson and Ciara Ni Dhuinn – the poignant World War 1 series of picture books by Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey are cherished by both school librarians and teachers so I was interested to read this review. Paul Watson describes this new retelling of the Nativity story as, “A perfectly gentle retelling that makes the reader know how important it is to shine your brightest to be your best self.”

Lucy’s Magical Stories, A Series by Anne Booth illustrated your Sony Williams – as part of the recent Let’s Get Festive blog tour Lily on the the Lily and the Fae blog describes this kind series for newly independent readers. Full of magic, tender friendships with animals and a Christmas feel these sound just right for the run up to the big day.

Vi Spy Never Say Whatever Again by Maz Evans – we are all, both adults and children, in need of a good giggle at the moment. Enter Maz Evans with her second story featuring Vi to provide some humour. This sounds to have gone down a treat with young readers who are the people who matter most really, but in her review Karen says, “Maz Evans is a master of comedy and she’s absolutely done it again with Never Say Whatever Again, and you will find yourself laughing out loud throughout.” So it’s got the adult vote too!

Blue Running by Lori Ann Stephens – this YA dystopian novel is a Books for Keeps’ Book of the Week. Suitable for age 14+ and adults the review finishes with, “If there is one teenage novel this year that readers will surely never forget, it must be this one.” If that tempts you the review by Nicolas Tucker provides a deeper look at the book.

That’s all for this week and for this year too. I hope it has been useful to you. All being well Reading Matters will be back in January 2022. Happy Christmas!

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Little Bear by Richard Jones

Posted on December 7, 2021 by alibrarylady

Little Bear by Richard Jones is a beautiful story of learning to love and also of learning how to say goodbye. Told with kindness and understanding this stunning picture book will both reassure and comfort children.

One day a little boy discovers a polar bear in his garden. A tiny polar bear. The bear is so small it can sit in the boy’s hands. The kind child wants to help the tiny bear and takes him home to care for him. Each day over a period of a week the bear grows a little bigger and the friendship between the boy and the bear grows stronger. Eventually the boy realises that it is time for the bear to be taken home. They embark on a journey together. A journey that will end with saying goodbye.

The cover of this tender and extremely lovely book is hard to resist. The small child nestled within the big bear’s fur conveys trust and friendship so beautifully. The striking endpapers in gold tell of the journey the two friends make together and the small boat they travel in appears on the first page too. This gorgeous book deserves a long linger before the story itself starts. The boy and the reader meet the bear on Monday and the bear fills the page opposite the text so the page turn revealing his small size nestled in the boy’s hands in the colourful garden is beautifully executed.

As the story progresses the bond between the boy and the bear is depicted with kindness both in the words and the gentle illustrations. I loved Perdu, the first picture book both written and illustrated by Richard Jones, and this has the same kind feel to it. The story is told by the boy himself and his sensitive attitude to the bear and his welfare is at the heart of this tale. “Can I help you?” asks the boy when he first meets the bear and later on we read that the bear is “curled up tightly, safe and warm in my bag.” The illustrations show the expressions on the faces of the two friends and the caring touches between the two. It is just lovely. There is joy in their friendship and the scenes are playful and happy even when goodbye is inevitable.

This is a story that could be interpreted in many ways. As with any book the reader, or perhaps the listener, brings their own experience to their understanding of the messages contained. A small child may have to say goodbye to a friend or family member for many different reasons and this kind book will both prepare and comfort them. The polar bear is happy to be home again amongst his own and the boy says goodbye safe in the knowledge that the bear loves him still.

I should like to thank Simon and Schuster Children’s Books for my review copy which will be treasured on my bookshelves. This would, I think, make a lovely Christmas present. If you want to find out more about Richard Jones’ books and illustrations you may like to visit his website.

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