The Big Book of Boats is a information book for children with high shelf appeal. Its bright and clear cover draws the eye and tempts you to open the book and discover more. There is a lot to discover within its pages too. The reader embarks on a voyage around the world learning as they go, exploring ships of all sizes and types from cruise ships to cargo ships from submarines to kayaks, from oracles to ice breakers. We learn about the history of boats, the adventures they have enabled and the battles they participated in. A book to enjoy, to share and to learn from.
The Big Book of Boats is crammed with information and yet also has considerable browsing appeal due to the vibrant illustrations. Luogo comune is the pseudonym of Jacopo Ghisani, an Italian illustrator and street artist and his distinctive style incorporates a great deal of detail. The text conveys much of the information in a readable and involving way and additional facts are displayed in captions and numerical keys to the double page spreads. This is not only relates to the boats and ships but related aspects such as maritime wildlife and people both historical and current who use these vessels. I learned a great deal from this book and it would be a valuable addition to primary school libraries and classrooms.
Originally published in Italian Catherine Bruzzone has done an excellent job in ensuring that this translation is appealing to a young audience. She wrote an article for the publishers, b small publishing, last year which I found interesting and you can read it here.
I should like to thank the Naomi Weeks at b small publishing for my review copy. The Big Book of Boats is published on 1st March and can be pre-ordered/purchased via the publisher’s website.
The third instalment of this steampunk fantasy series by Vashti Hardy for Barrington Stoke is another large scale adventure told in just over one hundred pages. As we return to Moreland our heroes attempt to solve a new mystery and have to face their greatest challenge yet, one that will be a test of courage and teamwork as they try to overcome prejudice and fear within a community.
Grace is now a fully fledged warden of the Griffin map, alongside her mother and brother, using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. She has been joined by her new friend Tom Eely who has been training hard to become a warden and join the team. Despite their enthusiasm Grace’s mum thinks that the pair are not ready for a dangerous mission just yet and sends them instead to a quiet mountain village where a flock of ravens have been pestering the locals. Shortly after Grace and Tom arrive the situation becomes more involved than they had expected and with tales of a mountain witch and a spooky house in the woods they realise that this may not be the low key expedition they anticipated.
Vashti Hardy builds on the world she created in The Griffin Gate and the new character introduced in The Puffin Portal is developed further in this action packed sequel. The adventure encourages children to try to solve the mystery alongside the characters and as the tension mounts young readers will explore themes of friendship and the importance of teamwork. Key to the plot is the villagers’ suspicion of anyone a little different from themselves and the prejudice shown to outsiders. The author deals with this sensitively and the resolution is thoughtful and kindly in tone.
Helping Grace and Tom in their exploits is Watson the Robot Raven and this little trio make a good team. Grace is a wonderful female lead character and role model being both brave and thoughtful and Tom develops as a character in ways that will encourage children. The appealing cover and the black and white illustrations throughout are by Natalie Smillie and bring the imaginary world of Moreland to life adding to the enjoyment.
It is great to see Barrington Stoke pursuing this as a series. As a publisher they have done a great deal to widen access to quality fiction and I know from experience how important it can be for readers to develop a love of series fiction. That sense of familiarity and reconnecting to old friends as they follow characters through their adventures adds to the enjoyment of reading for many so I am delighted to see that there is another adventure, The Weather Well to look forward to.
I should like to thank the publishers Barrington Stoke for my review copy. The Raven Riddle is published on 3rd March 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.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. Long lists for the Carnegie, Kate Greenaway and Klaus Flugge Awards have attracted attention over the last few days as have the winners of this years LOLLIES. World Book Day is approaching rapidly and I have included links that may help schools planning to mark the day.
What I’m reading…
Unfortunately once again life has got in the way of my reading time this week however I did manage to read and review Jo Clarke’s debut Libby and the Parisian Puzzle. This is delightful and has all the ingredients to encourage young readers to feel part of the fun and the puzzle solving, ensuring that Libby’s first adventure will be a welcome addition to school and home bookshelves.
I do want to mention a couple of great new picture books that I did have time to savour this week. The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton is a kind and thoughtful story that will reassure young children who may be moving house, starting a new school or experiencing a change of some sort. It is also a lovely celebration of the power of a child’s imagination. The artwork is stunning and this is a book to linger over. The title of the second book was impossible for me to resist. Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa’ Tarnowska illustrated by Vali Mintzi is inspired by a true story and conveys beautifully how books, stories and libraries offer a source of hope and comfort in times of struggle. I also love how it is the young people who are making the difference in this heartening tale. I will try to get reviews of both of these up on the blog next week.
News, articles and resources…
S F Said World Book Day 2022 Video – A message from popular children’s author S F Said for World Book Day 2022 about reading for pleasure – and writing for pleasure too.
Tom Palmer – A short film for World Book Day 2022 – another useful video to share in schools for World Book Day. Award winning author Tom Palmer tells us why one particular book is his favourite and you will find his explanation interesting.
25 Ways to Celebrate World Book Day – the organisers of World Book Day together with their partners, The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, The National Literacy Trust and The Open University have created a strategy to nurture a life long love of reading. This excellent resource is full of suggestions, tips and ideas plus links to research, book lists and more. It is free to download.
Open University Reading for Pleasure February Newsletter – if you haven’t already signed up for this brilliant resource I can wholeheartedly recommend it. The current issue includes the World Book Day feature above plus news of awards, the Empathy collection, top texts selected by Miranda McKearney, author of the month and a poster to download.
Yoto Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Award Long Lists Announced – The UK’s longest running book awards for children and young people, the Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards, announced the longlists for 2022 this week. 33 books have been selected in total – 18 for the Yoto Carnegie Medal and 15 for the Yoto Kate Greenaway Medal – with themes of community and connection, shared humanity and friendship all explored in the titles. Many congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers. I’m particularly pleased to see Phil Earle’s and Lesley Parr’s books included, both of which I loved.
The Klaus Flugge Prize Long List Announced– this award celebrating outstanding newcomers to picture book illustration was established in 2016. Previous winners include Jessica Love for Julian is a Mermaid and Francesca Sanna in for The Journey. It’s a wonderful long list this year containing several I have rated highly and others that I’ve had my eye on for a while. A list worth exploring!
Open University- Building a Culture of Reading for 2022-23 – Thursday 24 February 4.00-5.15pm – a free briefing for schools led by Professor Teresa Cremin to find out more about this successful, research led programme. Suitable for school leaders in primary, junior and infants schools
Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature Exhibition V & A Museum – if you are within travelling distance of London this family friendly exhibition sounds interesting. Visitors go on a journey to discover Potter’s life as a scientist and conservationist and explores the places and animals that inspired her most beloved characters. It opened last weekend and continues until January 2023.
Diversifying children’s literature: whose worlds are we sharing? – an incredible line up for this event at Oxford Brookes University on Tuesday April 5th 6pm-7pm. Hosted by lecturer Mat Tobin and with a panel featuring Darren Chetty, Alice Curry, Sita Brahmachari and Ken Wilson-Max this should be a fascinating and enlightening evening. I do wish I lived nearer!
Books for Topics: Children’s Fiction: 10 You Might Have Missed – I think this is such a good idea. With so many new children’s books published each month, often just a handful of key titles claim the spotlight. The review panel at Books for Topics have selected some titles they think should not be missed.
An Interview with Alex Wheatle – Imogen Russell Williams interviews this author for Books for Keeps asking about his new historical novel, Kenosha of the Caribbean in this interesting feature.
The National Teen Book Club – this free club run by Speakers for Schools brings together 14 to 19-year-olds from state schools and colleges across the UK, to a shared, virtual book club. You can sign up to the next club taking place on Wednesdays, 3.30-4.30pm, from the 9th March to the 30th March 2022 via the link. The book will be Darren Charlton’s award-winning Wranglestone.
Reading for Pleasure Padlet – teacher Andrew Rough has created this excellent resource which will be of particular value to librarians and teachers. It includes helpful websites and blogs, review sites, literacy organisations and book related resources. A treasure trove of valuable information.
The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2022 (the Lollies) – this award celebrates the best and funniest children’s books in the UK and Ireland, voted for by children. Congratulations to the 2022 winners who were announced this week: 101 Bums by Sam Harper and Chris Jevons, Cats React to Science Facts by Izzi Howell and The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates by Jenny Pearson and Rob Biddulph.
I wish to break the rules…a blog by Ben Harris – at first I was going to link to this article in the review section below as it features the forthcoming book by Lissa Evans, Wished, which does sound wonderful. However Ben also provides a fascinating insight into children’s literature looking back on the work of both Nesbitt and Aiken and the relevance to today’s fiction for children. This is definitely worth a read. Thank you, Ben.
Mr Dilly Meets World Book Week Bonanza – Celebrate World Book Day in your School as Mr Dilly Meets a whole host of amazing children’s authors and illustrators including Joanna Nadin, Rikin Parekh, Christopher Edge, Mel Taylor-Bessent and many more. The event is free and takes place on Tuesday March 1, 2022 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Full details and registration via the link above.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Dogs in Disguise by Peter Bently illustrated by John Bond – I don’t think you would have to be a dog lover to be tempted by this review in Books For Keeps. “A visual treat, a joy to read aloud, and a doggy delight!” One for early years story-time and library read aloud sessions by the sound of it.
The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold illustrated by Levi Pinfold – The Last Bear was recently shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award so expectations are high for this follow-up published next month. Emma Kuyateh’s lovely review reassures us that The Lost Whale will be a success too. Definitely one to watch out for!
Amazing Animals by Sabrina Weiss & Paul Daviz – in the school library it is often information books that children enjoy reading for pleasure as they browse and learn at the same time. This new book published by What on Earth Books has been put to the test by reviewer Kate Heap’s children and has passed with flying colours!
Serendipity edited by Marissa Meyer – I wish I had noticed this review in time for Valentines Day. This collection of stories inspired by romantic tropes features a range of diverse characters and Joy Court in her review for LoveReading4Kids says, “As well as being a thoroughly enjoyable read this collection could find uses in the classroom for analysis of genres, styles and tropes.” The collection is suitable for readers aged 13+
That’s everything for this week and I do hope that something included here will be helpful to you. I am hoping that this weekend I can start reading Pony by R J Palacio, a book recommended by both Jon Biddle and Teresa Cremin so it must be good! Happy reading.
Jo Clarke’s debut for children, Libby and the Parisian Puzzle, is an appealing combination of adventure, detective mystery and boarding school story. It has all the ingredients to encourage young readers to feel part of the fun and the puzzle solving, ensuring that Libby’s first adventure will be a welcome addition to school and home bookshelves. Fully illustrated throughout by Becka Moor this will appeal to the younger middle grade audience and as the first in a series will help set these readers off on the road to reading for pleasure.
Cover illustration by Becka Moor
Libby loves a good mystery. Inspired by Isobel from her favourite books, Isobel Investigates, she is irrepressibly curious and continually alert to what is is going on around her. As Libby says goodbye to her mum as she sets off by train to live with her Aunt Agatha in her Parisian boarding school she is already appraising her fellow passengers with a beady eye. From the first page onwards Jo Clarke is dropping small clues for her readers to notice and remember.
Aunt Agatha’s boarding school is rather unconventional as it travels the world, moving each term to a new location so that the pupils can experience the local culture, language and traditions as part of their education. The streets of Paris are brought to life throughout the story with mentions of famous monuments, tourists sites and local food. French treats such as hot chocolate, melt in the mouth macarons, crumbly croissants and delicious cheeses are frequently enjoyed by Libby and her friends and made this particular reader quite envious.
The plot whizzes along and Libby soon makes a new friend in fellow new girl Connie and when Aunt Agatha is arrested, accused of a fiendish jewel robbery, the two girls set out to solve the mystery, find the true culprit and save Libby’s aunt. The trail of clues, both real and imaginary, will enthral young readers and provides the opportunity for them to try to use their own detective skills to guess the ending. That sense of involvement will add to the enjoyment of the story for many.
Libby is a delightful character, full of enthusiasm for everything and naturally chatty and inquisitive balanced by Connie’s slightly more reserved personality. I liked Connie who has hidden depths and is both thoughtful and helpful towards her more impetuous friend. I am looking forward to following these two on their next adventure.
The published version will be fully illustrated by Becka Moor and even from those included in my proof copy it is apparent that they have captured the spirit of the story well. From my experience as a school librarian I know that this will broaden the audience adding an appeal to many. Illustrated fiction for this age group is both important and popular and Libby and the Parisian Puzzle is a lovely example of why that is so. As a school librarian Jo Clarke knows which books children enjoy and I bet they will enjoy hers!
I should like to thank the publishers, Firefly Press for my proof copy. Libby and the Parisian Puzzle is published on 3rd March and is available to pre-order/purchase on Bookshop.org.
Welcome to the latest round up of what has been happening in the world of children’s books. I hope you find this week’s collection of links and reviews helpful.
What I’m reading…
A new book published by Barrington Stoke always attracts my attention and when it’s written by award wining author Marcus Sedgwick especially so. Wrath, the author’s debut for this publisher is a subtle yet powerful, unsettling and intelligent novel for teens. Sedgwick addresses themes and ideas important to this audience in this compelling mystery.
Turning to non-fiction, I think that the publishers Flying Eye Books produce excellent information books that are perfect for primary school libraries and classrooms. The new revised edition of Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space is an excellent example being both appealing and informative. It is alway good to see publishers who ensure that their books are kept up to date and this new edition helps children to discover more about the universe through the latest research.
Thanks to Nikki Gamble’s latest Audience With I am reading Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe at the moment and enjoying a book that I think I would normally not have selected. Described as “magical realism” I particularly like its mythical quality and the depiction of the inter generational relationships.
News, articles and resources…
BBC Sounds Archive on 4: Wonderlands hosted by Frank Cottrell Boyce – if you missed listening to this live last weekend you have a year to catch up with it via the link above. It’s a fascinating discussion about developments in children’s literature which I enjoyed very much and can highly recommend.
The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition – this competition, run in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, aims to find and encourage writers of the future. Anyone under the age of 19 can enter the competition. Entrants are invited to finish a story begun by last year’s Branford Boase Award winner, author of thrilling fantasy adventure Orphans of the Tide, Struan Murray. Full details and the first paragraph of the story are available via the link.
Fairtrade Fortnight: Fiction, resources and a competition from Tom Palmer – Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from 21st February – 6th March and is an opportunity to encourage children to think about choices made when spending money. Tom Palmer has created some excellent resources linked to his book, Off Side, including a video introduction and the first chapter to download plus teaching ideas. There is also a competition to win six months supply of Delicious Fairtrade chocolate!
Picture books for children – reviews – Imogen Carter reviews the latest picture books for the Guardian. I particularly like the sound of I Am the Subway a new Korean picture book by Kim Hyo-eun (and translator Deborah Smith)
Anna McQuinn – Q&A – Stephen Baird aka ‘The Bearded Bookseller’ interviews Anna McQuinn founder of Alanna Max Publishers and author of the wonderful Lulu and Zeki picture books. I’m delighted to read that there are more books in both these series in the pipeline.
Anxiety & Wellbeing – 60 Books to Support Children’s Mental Health – this week marks Children’s Mental Health Week and the LoveReading4Schools team has put compiled a list of helpful books for different age groups on their website. The article also contains links to several organisations that offer support to children and their families.
CILIP Partners with Yoto to Unlock New Future for Carnegie Greenaway Awards – CILIP, the charity that manages the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards, this week announced it has agreed a three-year partnership with Yoto, the screen-free audio platform for children. This year’s Awards will be re-named the Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards 2022 with immediate effect, ahead of the longlist announcement on 16 February. There is more information about this partnership on the official website.
LitFest 2022 Mini Children’s Festival – for the first time this year this is a hybrid festival and tickets to watch online are £5. The mini children’s Festival, 11th/12th March, includes Joseph Coehlo, Dom Conlon and Katherine Woodfine.
Waterstones Children’s Book Prize Shortlist 2022 – This year’s selection, chosen by Waterstones booksellers, in three separate categories contains some extremely popular titles. I wonder who will follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Elle McNicoll for A Kind of Spark.
The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards Ceremony 2022 – have you read the books on the LOLLIES shortlist? Even if you haven’t the live award ceremony sounds like fun with special guests Head Judge Michael Rosen, Katie Thistleton and more. On Thursday 17th February at 2pm and suitable for aged 3+. Details and registration via the link.
Virtual Event for Children with Louie Stowell – Join author and Norse myth super fan Louie Stowell to hear all about her brand-new book Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good. Although half term break differs across the country this sounds like it would be enjoyed either in school or at home. Taking place on Wednesday 23rd February at 10:30am.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
My Mum Is a Lioness by Swapna Haddow illustrated by Dapo Adeola – another excellent review by Fabia Turner, this time turning her attention to the follow-up to My Dad Is a Grizzly Bear. The detailed look at both the text and illustrations provides teachers, parents and careers with an insightful overview of this “cheerful, warmhearted inclusive story”. It sounds perfect for Reception and KS1.
Big Sky Mountain: The Forest Wolves – Alex Milway – if you are looking for books for newly independent readers to tackle solo this series does sound to be the answer. Rich Simpson’s review provides a taste of this second in the series which he describes as, “sure to engage young readers with its lively action, fun and jokes, and the underlying messages of compassion and caring for each other as well.”
Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll – There has been a real positive buzz about this book online over the last few days. I always find Ben Harris’s reviews helpful and this one is no exception as I know simply from the review that this is a book that should be in school libraries. Ben sums it up with the phrase “With this third novel, McNicoll’s writing continues to astonish.”
When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds illustrated by Akhran Girmay – The Carnegie medal winning author’s debut novel, published in the UK for the first time tells a story of family and friendships in an urban poor neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Joy Court’s insightful review for LoveReading4Kids suggests this is must read for young adults.
Books I Should Have Read: Varjak Paw by S.F. Said – in our rush to embrace and promote excellent new books there may be a temptation to neglect ‘old favourites.’ Teacher Tom Slattery has started a new feature on his blog that I will be following with interest. First up is this popular book by S.F. Said and Tom’s review highlights why this is a book shared in classrooms up and down the country.
That’s all for this week. My weekend reading will be finishing Wolf Light and then next up is Jo Clarke’s debut Libby and the Parisian Puzzle which is being published on World Book Day. Next week sees the announcement of the Carnegie and Greenaway long lists and I know that my reading list will be even longer after that! If you are on half term break this week I hope you enjoy a relaxing few days. Happy reading.
Sometimes by happy coincidence books arrive together that complement each other, sharing similar ideas or themes or characters with comparable personalities. Two picture books published recently caught my eye as they both concentrate on an aspect of life that matters to both adults and children. Time. The lack of it or the speed with which it seems to rush us though life, the difficulties in being on time for things or feeling that time rushes by without us noticing what is important. These everyday but important feelings are dealt with cleverly in the two picture books I review below.
Stop the Clock! by Pippa Goodhart illustrated by Maria Christania
Inspired by the first lockdown in Spring 2020 this thought provoking book encourages us to take our time and notice the details around us. Those little things that in reality are the things we should cherish.
Joe’s day has not got off to the best start. A typical school morning of “hurrying, worrying and scurrying,” it is a scenario familiar to many. Despite Mum’s best efforts Joe is late for school, he’s in such a rush he doesn’t notice his little sister is crying. In the classroom there is not enough time for Joe to finish the picture he is taking such care over. Then Joe stops the clock! Now he can see things more clearly, he notices what is happening around him and by slowing things down Joe appreciates his world more.
Stop the Clock is cleverly created with the text and illustrations working together to convey the story’s important message. At first Joe stands out as a colourful character on the page surrounded by the grey blur of his life. When Joe take control and stops the clock he fades in importance in the pictures as the world around him comes into colourful focus. Each page is full of detail for children to explore and talk about. There are stories within the story. Where are those people on the bus going? There are people moving house, a baby posting a letter, a beggar holding a friendly dog. All of them can be elaborated upon and discussed. Pippa Goodhart invites the reader to look at the clues hidden in the buildings to work out who lives there and the many windows provide tantalising glimpses of life within.
This is a lovely picture book that highlights the importance of those little moments we share with people every day. Special moments shared not only with our families and school friends, but with our neighbours and those in our communities. A kind and thoughtful message for us all.
I should like to thank the publisher for my review copy. Stop the Clock by Pippa Goodhart and Maria Christania was published on 3rd February by Tiny Owl Publishing and can be purchased online at Bookshop.
Ready!Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs
Marjoke Henrichs’ debut, No! Said Rabbit was shortlisted for the BookTrust Storytime Prize and her follow up, Ready! Said Rabbit is another picture book that is a joy to share. Humour and drama are used to convey the concept of time to young readers. The readily identifiable situation ensures that both adults and young children will enjoy this light hearted look at family life.
Dad and little Rabbit are getting ready for an afternoon trip to the park. This is not a straight forward process. Rabbit wants to take rather a lot of things with him; different toys to play with for every possibility are gathered together and he finally decides he is ready. Dad does not agree as Rabbit is not dressed suitably. This made me smile in recognition and when Rabbit tries again he takes several attempts to get it right. So the preparations continue; the right toy, the right snacks, the right outfit, it all takes time. Finally ready they are about to leave when…the phone rings, Dad has lost his keys and so the cycle continues. Will father and son ever get to the park?
There is a happy ending thank goodness but I know both adults and children will empathise with our characters’ woes. This would be a lovely picture book to prompt talk about patience and understanding in addition to learning how to get ready on time with concentration and care. It is a lovely celebration of a father and child relationship too. The bright and cheerful illustrations contain lots of familiar items to chat about and this would be a great book to share both at home and in Early Years settings.
I should like to thank the publisher for my review copy. Ready! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs is published this month by Scallywag Press and is available to purchase online at Bookshop.
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.”
Award winning author Marcus Sedgwick’s YA debut for publishers Barrington Stoke is a layered, unsettling and intense novella that will capture teen readers’ attention. Wrath is a story that drew me in and compelled me to read to the end without stopping. A mystery set during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic this has a currency that adds to its impact.
Cover artwork by Paul Blow
Cassie Cotton is different from Fitz’s other friends. She is a bit unusual, the more unkind describe her as crazy but she intrigues Fitz. When Cassie disappears after being teased and bullied at school Fitz is determined to find her but he really has no idea where to start looking and he fears that he is running out of time.
Fitz is the story’s narrator and his voice draws you in to his personal world and within pages the reader is accompanying him in his attempts to locate Cassie. Then the story gradually expands in scale and scope. It is cleverly executed as through switching time lines we learn of the events that preceded Cassie’s disappearance. She can hear a noise that no one else can hear. A sound, a low ‘hum’, that tells her that the Earth is in distress and damaged as a result of climate change. It is this belief that leads to her being made fun of by others at their school. The story and the writing is both powerful and subtle as the plot builds up gradually as more background is hinted at and subsequently revealed.
Marcus Sedgwick addresses issues that concern teens today in a way that will promote discussion and considered thought about our connections with each other and our world. He explores teen relationships, dysfunctional families, the climate crisis and the effect of the pandemic and the lockdowns on young people. The themes are important and relevant and Sedgwick’s treatment of them is both accessible and riveting. It is such a cliché to say ‘I couldn’t put it down’ but this time it’s true.
I should like to thank Barrington Stoke for my proof copy. The book is edited to a reading age of 9 and is suitable for dyslexic readers due to both its editing and presentation, however the content, including language, is for teens. Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick is published on 3rd March and is available to pre-order/purchase online at Bookshop. If this story appeals you may also like to try one of Anthony McGowan’s books for Barrington Stoke, The Truth of Things.
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.
Welcome to this week’s look back at what has been happening in the world of children’s books.
What I’m reading…
Circus Maximus: Race to the Death by Annelise Gray was one of my favourite reads last year so I was delighted to take part in the blog tour marking the launch of the sequel, Rivals on the Track this week. I loved being reunited with Dido, she is such a compelling character, and enjoyed the story very much. It’s a wonderful balance of high drama and thoughtful moments and I know this will be on my favourites list for 2022. You can read my review and Annelise’s fascinating thoughts on research and writing historical fiction, here.
This week marked the Lunar New Year and we are now in the Year of the Tiger prompting many to share favourite ‘tiger books’ online. A new information book for children published this week by Faber, The Big Book of Festivals, included this celebration plus many other cultural and religious festivals. I think it would be a helpful book for primary school libraries and classrooms as it is great for both browsing for pleasure and learning.
A couple of happy picture books arrived in the post this week. First, The Whales on the Bus by Katrina Charman and Nick Sharratt published by Bloomsbury, recent winner of the BookTrust Storytime Prize. This is a delight and every adult in my family approved of this one although I realise that we are not the target audience! Perfect for sharing with little ones you can get a taste of it in this lovely video with Katrina and Nick. Secondly, Clementine’s Walk by Annie White from New Frontier Publishing a charming rhyming story about a puppy determined that someone, anyone, will take her for a walk. Another gem for sharing at story time with younger children. There are some teacher notes available here that may be of interest.
A lovely article in the Guardian celebrating the joy of reading, writing and libraries made me smile this week. Eight year old Dillon now has a long waiting list for his self published story, “by Dillon His Self”, in his local library.
News, articles and resources…
BBC Radio4 Wonderlands hosted by Frank Cottrell Boyce – this evening, Saturday 5th February at 8pm Frank Cottrell-Boyce explores how and why books for children have become central to our reading culture. With contributions from Cressida Cowell, Phillip Pullman, Robert Macfarlane, Jacqueline Wilson, Onjali Rauf, Patrice Laurence, Dapo Adeola, Aimée Felone, Barry Cunningham, Andy Miller, Professor Karen Coats and David Fickling. A must listen for all children’s book enthusiasts I think!
The Reader Teacher: January 2022 Monthly Must Reads – Scott Evans has selected his favourite books published in January and every single one sounds like a book I would enjoy. There is a free poster of the titles to download too.
January’s World Kid Lit web round-up – this is an excellent source of information about books in translation, international awards and news. Well worth saving to investigate the numerous links included. The website includes resources and book lists too.
Books for Topics Booklist: Awesome Planet Earth – a new book list created by the Books for Topics team and one that is perfect for curious readers. You can take a trip around the globe to explore the Earth’s wonders with this selection of recommended children’s books.
National Storytelling Week: What Makes a Good Classroom Read-Aloud? – to mark National Storytelling Week Alison Leach, founder of Books for Topics, has written a helpful article for Peters Books about selecting stories that have the right ingredients to make a great read-aloud in the classroom.
Words and Pictures: James Mayhew – Representation LGBTQ+ Community – To mark LGBT+ History Month, Words & Pictures Editor, GulfemWormald, talks to Author and Illustrator James Mayhew about how he represents this community in children’s books and what it was like for him to grow up hiding his true self.
Mr Dilly Meets – Christopher Edge & Jenny McLachlan – Free Love Books, Love Reading, Love Libraries Special for SCHOOLS on Tue, 8 February 11:00 – 12:00. Live streamed on YouTube and available to watch afterwards following registration via the link.
The Children’s Book Show: Michael Rosen Live Performance on Thursday 3rd March – if you are puzzling about how to celebrate World Book Day this online event sounds perfect. Suitable for all KS2 age 7-11, an inspiring hour of poetry broadcast live into your classroom with the legendary poet and author Michael Rosen at 1.30pm on 3rd March. Full details and registration, (£10 per log-in) via the link above.
Love My Books February Newsletter – This a great regular newsletter from Love My Books and well worth signing up to. Lots of brilliant ideas for getting the most out of wonderful children’s books at home or in school. This month’s focus book is Banana! by Ed Vere.
Annelise Gray: Reading Zone Teen Author of the Month – an interesting interview with the author of Rivals on the Track (see my review above) and links to excellent teaching resources for both this book and the first book in the series, Race to the Death.
ReadingZone Bookclub – free author events – a great programme of free virtual author events this term including Gill Lewis and Sam Sedgman. Events are suitable for ages 5-11 and are recorded for you to watch afterwards.
Ones to Watch: New Children’s Fiction for Spring 2022 – another helpful resource from the team of reviewers at Books for Topics. We are rather spoilt for choice by this selection of books published between now and April.
Nikki Gamble’s Book Blast for February – an excellent way of keeping up with new children’s books, Nikki shares some of her recommendations and there is the chance to win the great books too. Free to register via the link. Please note the change of date to Monday 7th February at 8pm.
Greenaway Greats – To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Artsmark, CILIP has teamed up with Arts Council England and Peters Books to create a special selection of Kate Greenaway titles, ‘Greenaway Greats’, to offer young people a fantastic reading opportunity featuring outstanding illustration. The Greenaway Greats Reading Scheme will launch on World Book Day with the reveal of the 20 titles, 10 for primary and 10 for secondary and accompanying resources. This sounds wonderful and I’m already trying to guess which titles have made the top 20! Full details and how to register available via the link.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Joyful January Reads: Picture Books – this is a great round up by Rachel on her Picture Book Perfect blog including Yes You Can, Cow by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Rikin Parekh and Winter Sleep by Sean Taylor, Alex Morss and Cinyee Chiu both of which I’ve added to my wish list.
I am Not a Prince! by Rachael Davis illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher – following Rachael’s reviews above it is appropriate to share this excellent review by Fabia Turner of her debut picture book with illustrator Beatrix Hatcher. Fabia describes this as, “A modern take on traditional fairytale roles, this refreshingly non-conformist, joyful read is a must for young children today.”
What’s New Harper Drew? – by Kathy Weeks, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff – in my experience as a school librarian stories told in a diary format have high reader appeal. This new book should therefore be popular, particularly as Rich Simpson describes it as “perfect for fans of ‘Wimpy Kid’, ‘Dork Diaries’, Tom Gates and similar.” You can find out more in his review.
Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List by Jenny Pearson – “humour gilds a poignant heart.” Isn’t this just a perfect description by Ben Harris of what makes books by Jenny Pearson so popular. This blogpost includes a piece by Jenny describing the inspiration for her latest book and a lovely review by Ben too.
Aftershocks by Anne Fine – a new novel by our former Children’s Laureate and twice winner of the Carnegie Medal is always going to be worth a look but this positive review by Veronica Price has completely sold it to me. Veronica sums it up with the description, “There is much wisdom packed into this dramatic work of fiction which could open up discussion, and I highly recommend it to all secondary school librarians and Year 6 classroom libraries…”
That’s all for this week and I do hope that you have found something of interest among the links included here. A reminder that next week, February 7th – 13th is Children’s Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is Growing Together. The official website has more information and resources.
The Big Book of Festivals is crammed with information and facts celebrating the diversity of the world’s celebrations and the importance of them to our sense of community. A joyful look at the way people mark special occasions expressed in an accessible text and colourful illustrations detailing the symbols and motifs associated with the different occasions.
This book would be an excellent introduction to the cultural and religious festivals of the world and a valuable addition to school library and classroom bookshelves. Presented in alphabetical order and providing full descriptions of each festival, its history and where and when it takes place The Big Book of Festivals is wonderful for both browsing and structured learning. The accompanying illustrations and their captions highlight particular aspects of the festivals and make each double page spread appealing to linger over. There are thoughtful touches such as individual named children introduced at the start of the book for the reader to lookout for as they read. The endpapers deserve a mention too as they depict a map of the world showing people in different countries enjoying the festivals described.
The various festivals include Diwali, the Indian festival of light, the Spanish tomato-throwing festival La Tomatina, Christmas, Hanukkah, the Belgian Festival of Giants, the Lunar New Year and Gelede the West African tribute to mothers. There are sections covering seasonal festivals too such as Thanksgiving and Groundhog Day and regional festivals including the Irish Puck Fair. The range is interesting and informative providing a look at the global nature of festivals and highlighting the shared aspect of joy and celebration.
The Big Book of Festivals was published on 1st February by Faber and Faber and I would like to thank the publisher for my review copy. You can purchase a copy of the book online at Bookshop.
Dido is back, and so is the breathtaking action of the first instalment, Race to the Death. However this enjoyable and stirring adventure is really about family, the bonds that bring individuals together in a shared endeavour not only to survive but also to win and maybe to forgive and to love too.
Dido is the only girl ever to have raced to victory at the Circus Maximus in Ancient Rome. Chariot racing was big business and hugely popular but also a matter of life and death. In this sequel set in AD 38 we watch as Dido, now in hiding from the Emperor Caligula and with a price on her head, takes on new challenges and displays both courage and determination but loyalty and understanding too.
Within a few pages I was immersed in the vivid world created by Annelise Gray and once more willing Dido on in her battles to follow her dreams. She is a fabulous character, likeable but determined, strong but kind, and utterly compelling. The carefully plotted storyline, full of thrills, danger and secrets, engages the reader completely and the mix of real people and historical facts with the excitement and drama gives Rivals on the Track an authenticity that encourages you to feel part of the events as they unfold. The horses, particularly Porcellus and newcomer Jewel, are an important part of the story too of course and horse loving readers will lap this up. The relationships between the characters are developed further in this second story and the growing maturity of Dido and the family dynamics provide moments of thoughtful tenderness balancing the excitement well. This, I think, ensures a wide audience appeal. There are new friendships forged, old rivalries resurface and running through all of this is one family trying to overcome past hurts and bitterness. It is always the mark of a successful story when the reader does not want to say ‘goodbye’ to these new friends as you turn the last page. I’m very much hoping it’s ‘see you again soon’ instead.
The fascinating characters are at the heart of this story’s appeal, especially the wonderful Dido, but what makes this book work so well is the historical detail that brings the characters and their surroundings to life in such stunning fashion. Therefore I am especially delighted to welcome Annelise Gray to the blog today to tell us a little about her meticulous research for the Circus Maximus series and to provide her advice on writing a historical novel.
Why I love historical research and 3 tips for writing a historical novel by Annelise Gray
I am never happier than when in a library. The smell of books, the sound-muffling carpet underfoot, the bleeping sound as the librarian checks out volumes under a scanner – all make me feel incredibly contented. I wander around the stacks, clutching a scrap of paper scribbled with shelf marks and return to my desk, laden with the next batch of volumes to be pored over and mined for glimpses of gold.
When I was in my twenties, I worked as a professional researcher for hire. After finishing my doctorate in Classics in 2004, I had little idea of what to do next. I knew that I wasn’t cut out for academia and although I’d really enjoyed my experience of teaching in a local school over the previousthree years, I felt that I needed to try something different to see if that was a path I’d want to come back to. So I handed in my notice at the school in the hope that by taking a leap of faith, I might land somewhere. It was an uncharacteristicallyrisky thing for me to do, but it paid off. A couple of weeks later, I received an email from my college Director of Studies, Mary Beard, asking if I’d be interested in meeting the historian Bettany Hughes, who was looking for a research assistant to help her in the writing of her first book, a biography of Helen of Troy.
You couldn’t have designed a job I’d have jumped at with more enthusiasm. Research was always the bit of academic life I liked best. I met Bettany, signed up for the mission and for the next eighteen months, I was the Della Street to her Perry Mason, heading off in dogged pursuit of whatever information she wanted me to track down. It was a brilliant experience and afterwards I went on to more freelance research jobs, including two stints on drama seriesabout ancient Rome at BBC Specialist Factual and even a week’s work putting together material on the history of labradors for Ben Fogle.
Since I was a child, my real dream was to be a writer. Working for Bettany not only gave me a valuable insight into the business of writing and publishing a book, it taught me a lot about the kind of research that really works to bring a story alive, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. Bettany was absolutely passionate about wanting to delve into the sort ofdetail that would give her readers a sense of the sights, tastes, smells and even the soundscape of Bronze Age Greece. I found those lessons invaluable when I was writing my first historical novel for children, Circus Maximus: Race to the Death and its sequel Rivals on the Track. Characters are the thing that make you care about any story. But to invest fully in their fate, it helps if you can feel like you’re there beside them. Good and thoughtful historical research is what makes that possible.
Below are my 3 tips for writing a historical novel:
1. Respect the history….
I have an image in my head that guides me. Known facts (such as the dates when a historical figure lived or died) are footprints on a sandy shore. I am careful to plot a path that doesn’t disturb them. Similarly, I wouldn’t invent anything which feels historically inauthentic. I research enough to make sure I am as familiar as I can be with the historical setting and period detail of my story – the clothes, the customs, the physical landscape and so on. Often key ideas and plotlines for the storywill emerge from that.
2. ….but don’t be a slave to the history.
You have to accept that you will probably never know as much about your period as an academic who had studied it for twenty years. It’s also important to remember that history isn’t a fixed and immutable thing. Often the joy of writing a historical novel can be about imagining yourself into the perspective of characters to whom history hasn’t given a voice. In the Circus Maximus series, I’ve written about a girl – Dido – who becomes a charioteer, a character for whom there is no known historical precedent. And that makes you actually ask different and interesting questions about the world in which she lives – what does it look like from the perspective of a rebellious, horse-mad, 12-year-old girl?
3. Know when to stop researching and start writing.
It’s very easy – especially if you love research as much as I do – to go on researching for ever. But it can become a form of procrastination, an excuse not to get on with writing. You have to understand the world you want to write about enough for you to start. But you also need to remember that your reader is going to turn the page not because they are enthralled by the accuracy of yourresearch but because they want to know what happens to your character. While I’m writing the Circus Maximus books, I try not to stop just because I’m not certain what characters might be eating, for example. I keep a running list of research queries and I go back and check them at the end of the first draft.
Which takes me back to the library…my happy place.
Thank you, Annelise for this enlightening look at how to bring history to life for young readers. The library is my happy place too! I would like to thank Annelise for taking the time to write this and also Fritha Lindqvist for her help in preparing this post and Zephyr Books for my review copy of Rivals on the Track. If you have missed out on the blog tour so far please take a look, each post has been fascinating and they continue for a few days yet. Full details are given below.
Circus Maximus: Rivals on the Track is published by Zephyr Books today, 3rd February, and is available to purchase at your local bookshop on online at bookshop.org
Library Lady 