Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on November 20, 2021 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. There is most definitely a touch of Christmas about some of the latest reviews and forthcoming events with ideas being shared about which books to buy for your loved ones. Each year the charity Book Trust organise an appeal to help purchase Just One Book for vulnerable children and those in care. I have included a link in the resources section below for you to find out more if you would like to help.

What I’m reading…

My exploration of new non-fiction for children to mark Non-Fiction November continues this week and I have been rather spoilt for choice. The Most Important Animal of All by Penny Worms and Hannah Bailey is a beautiful book from an independent publisher, Mama Makes Books. It encourages young children to think critically, to learn about the interconnectedness of the natural world and to protect it. There is a link to some brilliant free teaching resources in my review too.

Flying Eye books create some visually stunning non-fiction and Beetles for Breakfast by Madeleine Finlay and Jisu Choi is a good example. This book is crammed with detail and numerous weird and wonderful ideas on how to reduce the impact climate change is having on our planet. Children are encouraged to use their imagination to solve problems that may seem insurmountable and to explore practical ways to help. Polly Bee Makes Honey by Deborah Chancellor and Julia Groves published by Scallywag Press is a picture book teaching children where their food comes from in an appealing story format and enabling them to find out about bees and their importance. This would be lovely for Early Years and KS1 and a great introduction to non-fiction.

My children’s book highlight of the week was the online interview between Michael Rosen and Sita Brahmachari to mark the publication of their new books. This was a joyful hour and a half full of thoughtful comment and discussion about aspects of reading and writing and the power of children’s literature. The event was recorded and when I know where you may access it I will share it on the blog.

News, articles and resources…

Jon Biddle’s Reading for Pleasure Padlet – this is a fabulous resource. Jon has generously created a Padlet with links to some of the various RfP resources he has put together over the past few years (maps, surveys, booklists, articles.) Jon intends to add to this in the future. Definitely a resource to bookmark!

Books For Keeps Christmas Issue – this brilliant on-line children’s magazine is my favourite source of information and this special issue is brimming with lovely stuff. Interviews with Michael Rosen, Nadia Shireen and Eoin Colfer; Yuval Zommer Windows into Illustration; plus Books of the Year and a Christmas Gift Guide. A new Beyond the Secret Garden article too and lots of reviews. Highly recommended.

Children’s books roundup – the best recent picture books and novels – another excellent selection chosen by Imogen Russell Williams who always manages to convey the essence of a book in a few words. There is something here to appeal to a wide range of ages and tastes.

WRITING FEATURE Literary vs Commercial – this is a fascinating article by Chrissy Sturt for Words and Pictures, the SCBWI British Isles online magazine. This gave me a great deal to think about and would prompt an interesting debate about children’s books and their role and impact on readers.

Reflecting on Reading for Pleasure Pedagogy – Open University Reading for Pleasure video interview with Sonia Thompson, Headteacher from St Matthews, Birmingham, on sustaining RfP pedagogy. Two minutes of wisdom and worth a watch. Sonia and her staff are ‘enabling children to read for life’ and all supported with research and evidence.

Jason Reynolds: The Books of My Life – the award wining American YA author on discovering Stephen King, growing into Toni Morrison – and the perfect novel. “Books weren’t really my thing as a child. I didn’t read on my own until I was 17 or 18. It just wasn’t my life.”

The BookTrust Christmas appeal – this annual appeal raises money to send surprise festive book parcels to children who are vulnerable or in care. This year half of the books will be sent to children in care who may be spending their first Christmas away from their families, and the other half will be given out through community foodbanks to children in families facing challenging circumstances.

Children’s Fiction: 10 You Might Have Missed – There has been a large number of newly published children’s books recently and often just a handful claim the spotlight. Alison Leach and the Review Panel on Books for Topics have highlighted some of the brilliant books that may have passed you by but deserve not to be missed.

When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle Teaching Resources – Scott Evans, (The Reader Teacher) has created some free resources, (comprehension questions, writing opportunities & cross-curricular activities ready to use in the classroom), to accompany this award winning book. They can be downloaded from the publishers’ website via the link above.

What’s Great About Non-Fiction? – a guest post by author and illustrator Martin Brown for Non-Fiction November on the Federation of Children’s Book Groups website. He looks at the appeal of illustrated non-fiction and discusses how information can be conveyed through pictures.

Q&A with Kevin Crossly-Holland – this is a treat. Kevin Crossley-Holland, award-winning author of the Arthur Trilogy, discusses the influences, meaning and legacy of the Arthurian legends, as his new book ‘Arthur: The Always King’, illustrated by Chris Riddell is published. Thank you to Chris Soul for posting this interesting read. There is a link to Chris’s review of the new book too.

Register for the 2022 Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Shadowing Scheme – the nominations for these awards were announced last week and now you can register your Shadowing Group to take part in the online shadowing to celebrate the 2022 Awards Shortlist from March onwards. Registration is required to submit reviews and artwork inspired by the shortlisted books and to vote for favourite books to win the Shadowers’ Choice Awards.

Book Trust: Books Featuring Transgender and non-binary characters – Its Transgender Awareness Week (November 13th – 19th) and to mark the occasion Book Trust has produced a list of non-fiction and stories with characters who identify as Trans, non-binary or gender fluid.

Christmas Event for schools- Mr Dilly Meets Mel Taylor-Bessent & AF Harrold – Wednesday 8th December 11:00am – 11:45am.To celebrate Christmas Mr Dilly Meets author Mel Taylor-Bessent to talk about her new book, The Christmas Carrolls. Mr Dilly will also be joined by poet Mr A.F. Harrold, to speak about his poetry and latest collection The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice. This show will also feature some Christmas poem recitals brought to you by Poetry By Heart. Full detail and registration via the link.

Deliver the Joy of Reading reading guide 2021 – Published by Children’s Books Ireland, The Deliver the Joy of Reading reading guide highlights books by Irish authors, illustrators and publishers for children and young people aged 0–18. There are reviews of over 144 books, in English and Irish, for children and young people aged 0 to 18. You will find ghost stories, Christmas tales, historical fiction, funny books, board books for babies, songbooks, nature themed non-fiction and romance for young adults. Free to download via the link.

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

The Lights That Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer – this picture book imagines the Northern Lights’ fleeting journey from space to Earth and how they weave a special magic for the animals and people living in the frozen lands below. Joanne Owen’s really lovely review on LoveReading4Kids has persuaded me to buy this as a Christmas present for my little assistant reviewer.

November Non-Fiction Round Up – a lovely selection of books reviewed by Rachael on the Picture Book Perfect blog. Suitable for a range of ages and Rachael includes a look at the illustrations which does help in assessing suitability.

Nisha’s War by Dan Smith – Kate Heap reviews a large number of books on a regular basis so when she says, “Every once in a while, a book comes along that causes the rest of the world to melt away leaving only the story.” it makes me sit up and take notice. This story set in World War 2 sounds excellent and Kate recommends it for Year 5 and above.

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell – this has been receiving a lot of praise on Twitter so I checked out one of my trusted reviewers to find out more. John Lloyd’s review on The Bookbag made me smile. “I’d never have turned to this thinking at last, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid-meets-Norse-myth book I’d always hoped for – but that’s because this idea is actually rather a genius concept.” Due to be published in early 2022 and one to watch out for.

The Song That Sings Us by Nicola Davies – ever since I attended the online launch for this book I have been looking forward to reading it. Andrew Rough’s enthusiastic review has whetted my appetite still further. “The Song that Sings Us really is a book worth singing about. I hope it gets read far and wide, it deserves to.”

I hope this week’s round up has been helpful and you have found a useful link or a new book to tempt you. Happy reading.

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Beetles for Breakfast…And other weird and wonderful ways to save the planet by Madeleine Finlay and Jisu Choi

Posted on November 18, 2021 by alibrarylady

Beetles for Breakfast is a visually stunning book crammed with detail and numerous weird and wonderful ideas on how to reduce the impact climate change is having on our planet. Children are encouraged to use their imagination to solve problems that may seem insurmountable and to find practical ways to help.

This book takes a look at what life could be like in the future thanks to the imaginative new ways scientists are finding to help protect the environment. Each chapter begins with a scene from daily life and then as the reader turns the pages these are transformed into a futuristic version and then a more detailed explanation of each topic. The typical scenes include, At the Breakfast Table, At School, In the Park, In the Bathroom and At the Beach providing a sense of the familiar.

The tone is light hearted at times but the astonishing amount of facts and detail included and the scientific language used make this a valuable source of information. There is a helpful glossary included at the end providing definitions of the more difficult vocabulary. The broad range of topics included include alternative sources of energy, environmental food alternatives, and inventions inspired by nature. Much of the information is conveyed within the eye catching illustrations by Jisu Choi and these invite the reader to linger and examine them in detail. The vibrant use of colour and the modern infographic style will tempt many readers to explore this book.

The final pages describe ways in which we the readers can do our bit to help. From starting your own wormery to writing to your MP, tips on DIY beauty products and going plastic free for a week each are achievable and will encourage children. The closing sentence sums up the positive tone of this appealing book: “No action is too small, and perhaps one day you’ll be an inventor, conservationist, activist, engineer, farmer or architect leading the way to a bright, cool future!”

I should like to thank the publishers, Flying Eye Books, for providing my review copy. Beetles for Breakfast was published on 1st September and is available to purchase online at bookshop.org

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The Most Important Animal of All by Penny Worms illustrated by Hannah Bailey

Posted on November 16, 2021 by alibrarylady

The Most Important Animal of All is a beautifully presented book that highlights the value of some of our most treasured creatures. Through thoughtfully presented facts and discussion it encourages young children to think critically, to learn about the interconnectedness of the natural world and, importantly, to protect it.

Endorsed by the British Ecological Society this high quality book is an excellent source of information but it is the approach to conveying this information that increases its appeal to children. It is an inspired touch to open the book with a classroom session on learning about animals and the instruction to the children to decide which animal is the most important of all. Young readers are instantly engaged and through text, beautiful illustrations by Hannah Bailey and photos they will learn enough to help them make an informed choice. From elephants to bees, sharks to tigers, bats to beavers the range of animals is diverse and interesting. Each creature’s features, habitat and its role in the ecosystem is explained carefully through detailed description and annotated illustrations. Visually this book is both attractive and informative being inviting to browse through and to study in more detail. Penny Worms explains both the importance of the different creatures and what is being done to protect animals under threat.

Illustrations by Hannah Bailey – Mama Makes Books

The discussion is left open ended for the readers to decide which they think is the most important. Will they agree with the experts? Which ever they decide upon they will have learned a great deal through the process. The final pages include information and photos of keystone species and ecosystems and the opportunity to find out more about each of the creatures via links to online sources of information. There is also a helpful glossary and index. The Most Important Animal of All would be an excellent addition to school libraries, valuable in the classroom and interesting to share at home. A really lovely non-fiction book and highly recommended.

There are some excellent free teachers’ resources written by Kerry Fitzpatrick, a Year 2 class teacher and Science Lead, available to download on the Mama Makes Books website here.

The Most Important Animal of All was published by Mama Makes Books on 19th August and is available to purchase online at Bookshop.org I should like to thank the publishers for providing my review copy.

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

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on November 13, 2021 by alibrarylady

It has been another busy week in the world of children’s books with some important awards news. I hope this week’s round up includes something special you may have missed or a new book to tempt you.

What I’m reading…

I was interested to see Wolf Road, Richard Lambert’s highly acclaimed YA novel, included in the Carnegie nominations list this week as I had only just finished reading his first novel for children, Shadow Town. This is the first in a new fantasy series and is a compelling and thoughtful read that I would recommend to readers of 11 plus.

Illustrated fiction can be perfect for encouraging children to read for pleasure especially when it is designed to be accessible to a wide audience. Swop the Satsuma-Sized Secret is a good example. A charming debut from Lucy Noguera it combines fun with reassurance and increases awareness of deafness and signing in a positive way. Sasha and the Wolf is a lovely reissue of classic stories by Ann Jungman with gorgeous new illustrations by Gaia Bordicchia. The setting in snowy 19th century Russia makes this a perfect wintry read and these two stories of friendship would be good for newly independent readers or as a class read aloud for Years 2 and 3.

This week’s non-fiction recommendation for Non-Fiction November is We All Celebrate by Chitra Soundar illustrated by Jenny Bloomfield. This is a joyful look at celebrations from all around the world. Crammed full of detail, every page bursting with colourful illustrations this picture book is a true celebration of both unity and diversity and a thoughtful guide to religion, history and heritage.

News, articles and resources…

Nominations announced for the 2022 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals – an annual highlight for children’s book lovers is exploring the nominations for these prestigious awards. This year’s selection is excellent and I am delighted to see some of my favourites included. I don’t envy the judging panel who have to reduce these to a long-list by February.

Nikki Gamble’s Book Blast Christmas Special – Friday 3rd December at 7pm is a special date for your diary. Nikki will be previewing her personal picks of the month. Suitable for all adults interested in children’s books and reading. Attendance is free and you can register via the link above.

Books to Boost – Jo Cummins has selected a range of books that will helped boost children’s well being and provided helpful guidance on content and suitability. There are books to encourage confidence, to help cope with their emotions and to help children become more self award.

The Reader Teacher Christmas Book Gift Giving Guide – if you want to give a book to a child as a Christmas present this year Scott Evans has produced guides for different age groups. They include, classics, brand new titles, picture books, poetry, and non-fiction. Lots of suggestions for a variety of tastes.

John Agard, the first poet to be awarded BookTrust’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award – This award celebrates the body of work of an author and/or illustrator who has made an outstanding contribution to children’s literature. John Agard has published more than 50 books, including poetry for all ages, stories, and non-fiction. In 2012, he was presented with the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry. You may like to read John’s interview with Emily Drabble too.

Books Are My Bag Readers Awards 2021 – This year’s awards, now in their sixth year, included six shortlists chosen by booksellers across the UK and Ireland, while the Readers’ Choice Award – nominated and chosen entirely by readers – completes the set. When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle won the children’s fiction award and I’m delighted that it did as this is definitely on my own favourite books of the year list. You can read about the other awards and watch the ceremony via the link.

Unleash your Creative Monster: Children’s writing workshop – workshop for 9 to 12 year-olds, organised by the National Literacy Trust during which Andy Jones and Olaf Falafel, author and illustrator of Unleash your Creative Monster, will provide inspiration and practical advice on writing stories that will keep readers hooked. The workshop is free to attend and takes place on Friday 26th November 10am-11am. Full details via the link.

David Olusoga: It is ‘critical’ to talk about black and imperial history – article in The Irish News in which the historian discusses the reasons for the publication this week of the children’s version of his book, Black and British: An Illustrated History. “We can’t have a history that makes sense, that is functional for the country that we are, if we don’t include the stories of black and brown people from the Empire, and from Britain’s entanglements with other parts of the world.”

Branching Out: Reading for Pleasure – an online debate about the limited range of books stocked in supermarkets this week reminded me of this excellent resource from Alison at Books for Topics. From Harry Potter and Tom Gates to Rainbow Magic and The Worst Witch and David Walliams these Branching Out booklists are free, printable display posters have suggestions to tempt children to read more widely.

Make Black History part of every month – this article on the School Library Association website refers to their partnership with the Inclusion Hubs and includes links to a variety of resources and sources of information.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2022 Shortlist Announced – there are six brilliant books shortlisted, three for Best Story and three for Best Book with Facts. All the books on this year’s shortlist are aimed at children aged between 6 and 12, a vital time when children discover which books they like and build their own independent reading habits. You can see which books made the list via the link above.

Finding kind words in great literature during Anti-Bullying Week – Anti-Bullying Week takes place from 15th – 19th November 2021 and in this excellent post by Michelle Nicholson on the Herts Primary English blog she recommends some quality books to share with children.

Scottish Book Trust November Book Discovery Guide – produced bi-annually these guides are full of book recommendations for primary and secondary school pupils, including, new highlights from Scottish publishers, recommendations from booksellers, librarians, themed booklists and top picks from Scottish Book Trust staff

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

The Curiosities by Zana Fraillon illustrated by Phil Lesnie – I, like many others, found Wisp, a picture book written by this author, profoundly moving and this latest title sounds equally affecting. The glimpses of the illustrations by Phil Lesnie are stunning too. In his review Matt at Word About Books says. “The Curiosities is an open invitation to celebrate our own differences and to wholeheartedly embrace and accept the differences of others.” That sounds perfect.

Elisabeth and the Box of Colours by Katherine Woodfine, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb – this is a new Little Gems title from Barrington Stoke due out in February 2022. Veronica Price’s detailed review gives a taste of what to expect and the blend of historical fiction and information sounds appealing.

Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List by Jenny Pearson – frankly we could probably all do with a bit of a giggle at the moment and Jenny Pearson is a children’s author who has a gift for humour. This review by Andrew made me smile too as I love how he conveys the spirit of the book. Definitely one for our shopping lists in the new year!

Art of Protest: What a Revolution Looks Like by De Nichols – this new book, published at the end of the month, looks at some of the most memorable and striking protest artwork from across the world and throughout history. In her review Nicki Cleveland comments particularly on the section on Youth Leadership and Protest Art around the world. This sounds like an excellent book for school libraries and classrooms.

Medusa by Jessie Burton illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill – this new YA retelling of the Greek myth is receiving many accolades from expert book reviewers. Joanne Owen on LoveReading4Kids says it “blazes with intrigue and beauty courtesy of author’s elegant style and Olivia Lomenech Gill’s fabulously evocative colour illustrations.” When I’ve managed to bring my “review pile” under control this is definitely on my wish list.

That’s all for this week and I hope that you have found something helpful included in the links and reviews. One last thing, the Hidden Books Game is back! Each year this gets harder. Here’s the link Good luck!

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We All Celebrate! by Chitra Soundar illustrated by Jenny Bloomfield

Posted on November 12, 2021 by alibrarylady

We All Celebrate is a joyful look at celebrations from all around the world. Crammed full of detail, every page bursting with colourful illustrations this non-fiction picture book is a true celebration of both unity and diversity and a thoughtful guide to religion, history and heritage.

As families we all celebrate in our own way, maybe for birthdays and weddings and also for special national events. Chitra Soundar wisely begins with the familiar and then explains how geography affects our celebrations showing how different rituals associated with the seasons alter depending on where you live. Pictures of the earth, the lunar cycle and a calendar are shown to help young readers grasp this concept. Having set the scene we then move on to New Year celebrations, seasonal rituals and customs and those associated with religions and different cultures. As we explore the world discovering the joys of celebrations in different places we also learn how these have adapted and altered over time. The wide variety included will open up children’s imaginations and enable them to discover fascinating customs and traditions they may not have known about.

We All Celebrate endpapers by Jenny Bloomfield

From the cheerful cover, depicting a happy conga, onwards this is a book that feels truly celebratory. Jenny Bloomfield’s endpapers show people from all over the world celebrating in colourful costumes, playing musical instruments, dancing and singing. The fact that these people are joined together in harmony, hand in hand, arm in arm, smiling at each other encourages the reader to feel part of one big happy celebration. This is an uplifting book but also an interesting one. There is a great deal of information packed on to each page. Did you know that in Sweden there is a tradition to dance around a maypole to mark midsummer day? I didn’t know the origins of Spain’s La Tomatina festival. There are lovely descriptions of traditional festivals from the Pacific Islands that may be new to many. The similarities between different religions are mentioned with descriptions of fasting at special times in the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist faiths explained.

This would be a valuable book in primary school libraries and classrooms to support teaching and for general interest. The publishers, Tiny Owl Publishing, have created a lovely trailer which gives you a taste of the book and you can watch that below. I would like to thank Tiny Owl for providing my review copy. We All Celebrate was published on 4th November and is available to purchase on the publishers’ website.


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Swop The Satsuma-Sized Secret by Lucy Noguera illustrated by Laura Ireland

Posted on November 10, 2021 by alibrarylady

Illustrated fiction can frequently be the key to the discovery of reading for pleasure for young children. When stories are presented both in text and pictures children can access the narrative more easily. When the appearance is designed to be accessible to dyslexic children it widens the appeal still further. Publishers Barrington Stoke need no introduction as they have been creating award winning books that are appealing to a wide audience for many years. Brilliant Monster Books appear to be keen to follow in their footsteps. They are a new independent children’s publisher specialising in accessible books which promote empathy and inclusion.

Cover design by Fabio Gois

The first in a new series Swop the Satsuma-Sized Secret is a book full of fun incorporating some reassuring messages within its pages. The lightness of touch ensures that both grief and the inclusion of a deaf character feel natural and these aspects are handled with sensitivity in this charming debut.

Ernie and his family are moving from the countryside to live nearer his grandma following the death of Ernie’s dad. Understandably Ernie is worried that he will find it difficult to settle in to his new home. However on his first night in his new bedroom Ernie makes a new friend. A tiny dog, no bigger than a satsuma! As the landlord has made it clear that no pets are allowed Ernie knows that he must keep his new friend, Swop, a secret. Initially that is just about manageable with Ernie’s careful planning but on Ernie’s first day at his new school Swop decides to make his presence known.

Children will quickly warm to Ernie and his first day contains much that young readers will recognise and find relatable. The classroom situations have an authentic feel and Ernie’s new friendships are depicted with an understanding of school life. As might be anticipated a miniature dog can quickly cause mayhem in a school and this adventure is full of muddles and misunderstandings. The use of sign language thanks to the inclusion of Ernie’s deaf sister Ivy is cleverly incorporated and is a positive aspect of the storyline. The guide to sign language included at the end of the book is a nice touch. The fact that Ernie’s dad although absent is included in the story is lovely too. There is a streak of positivity running through the story which will comfort children with concerns about moving home or school, both of which can be a source of worry for many.

At 192 pages this is a great length for newly confident readers or those who have not yet developed reading stamina and will give the reader a real sense of achievement on finishing it. There is a sequel in the pipeline and I imagine children will be keen to discover what happens to Ernie and Swop next.

Swop the Satsuma-Sized Secret was published in July and is available to purchase online at Bookshop.org I should like to thank Lucy Noguera for providing my review copy.

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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Shadow Town by Richard Lambert

Posted on November 8, 2021 by alibrarylady

Shadow Town is Richard Lambert’s first book for children and follows his widely acclaimed YA novel, Wolf Road which was this week nominated for the Carnegie Medal. This new compelling fantasy adventure combines a coming of age story and an epic quest, big themes and dark moments with friendship and family, all wrapped up in a story that ripples with tension until the very last page.

Cover design and illustration by Holly Ovenden

The mesmerising opening pages introducing the ‘shadow’ have a disturbing tone and it is perhaps a surprise to the reader to find themselves in a suburban family home as the story opens. Toby is a quiet boy, a little awkward socially and struggling to make friends. He always gets things slightly wrong and is desperate to fit in with his classmates. His family situation adds to his feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness. His distant father, working as a speech writer for the government, is obsessed with his novel which is not going well and, selfish and grumpy, he dismisses Toby as ‘stupid.’ His climate activist mother is loving but distracted by her environmental causes. Toby’s only friends are his parents’ kind lodger and her pet cat, Alfred and within a few chapters probably the reader too as Toby comes to life as a real person on the page.

The mysterious shadow appears gradually in both Toby’s dreams and in his garden and this unsettles him. However when he and Alfred are drawn in to an alternative world it is still shocking and sudden for both Toby and the reader. There is no friendly faun and fireside tea in this new world, instead there is a fire sweeping through a forest, a malevolent darkness and Toby is a witness to a brutal murder. Richard Lambert has created a world both vivid and cruel. A harsh Regent rules a land that is swept by fires, floods, earthquakes and tsunamis and fear results in many obeying him.

Toby meets Tamurlaine, a mysterious and mercurial girl, sometimes kindly helping Toby and then on occasions switching to bitter and angry behaviour. She, like Toby, is on a journey of self discovery and when her past is uncovered she must make difficult choices. As Toby and Tamurlaine travel through the land of Balthasar, also the name of the fantasy world in Toby’s father’s novel, they both feel overwhelmed by their family destiny. They wonder if they can forge their own paths and make right things that have gone wrong. Toby’s companion Alfred the cat is an ever present reminder of home and Toby fears that he may never find his way back there.

This story could be seen as an allegory of Toby’s life and also perhaps a political allegory. Toby is a young boy lost in every meaning of the word, far from home and unsure of his future. Shadow Town asks questions about how much of life is mapped out for us and how much is personal choice. The Dreamers of Balthasar are children and young people whose dreams are ill used, their imaginations focused not on being creative and productive but on control and damage. The natural disasters causing fear in Balthasar could be seen as a mirror to our own world under threat from climate change. The many different themes and ideas included in this book make it one that prompts further thought and discussion.

A stunning start to a new series for readers aged 11+ Shadow Town was published on 21st October by Everything With Words and can be purchased at all good independent bookshops or online at Bookshop.org. I should like to thank Fritha Lindqvist and the publishers for my review copy.

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on November 6, 2021 by alibrarylady

It’s been another busy week! I have been involved in book related events, both online and real life ones, so I hope that I have managed to catch enough of what has been happening to give you a taste of the best new books, the most important news and any interesting features.

What I’m reading…

There were a couple of children’s book highlights for me this week that didn’t actually involve reading. On Tuesday the Surrey branch of the School Library Association held our first in person meeting for two years. It was so good to be able to chat and exchange ideas informally again. An added bonus was the opportunity to hear our excellent speaker Joy Court talk about visual literacy. Joy shared important research, the updated Kate Greenaway Medal criteria and we looked at some fabulous picture books together. On Thursday I attended, online, An Audience with Professor Ben Garrod hosted by Nikki Gamble. This was fascinating and I was particularly struck by Ben’s comments about respecting his audience. Although I have only read Trilobite this respect comes across strongly as does the author’s engaging voice. I now want to read more of his books.

To mark National Non-Fiction November I’m highlighting some top new titles each week. I can wholeheartedly recommend some new perfect non-fiction books published by b small, one on a scientific theme and the other historical, they are both excellent. Shadow Town by Richard Lambert was selected by Nicolette Jones as “one to watch” in the Sunday Times this week and having now finished reading this epic fantasy adventure I can well understand why. I hope to have my review up on the blog over the next few days.

News, articles and resources…

Tom Palmer’s Remembrance Day Resources – for any teachers having a last minute worry about how to mark Remembrance Day, award winning author Tom Palmer has come to your rescue. His comprehensive resources are brilliant. The link above will take you to a home page with a link to a free assembly but you can also find activities, videos and teaching notes linked to his books on his website. I would highly recommend having a browse.

The National Literacy Trust launch new Primary School Library Alliance with partner Penguin Random House UK – 1 in 8 primary schools in the UK do not have a library despite their important contribution to children’s learning and well-being. This shocking statistic is sobering but not surprising to those of us who have been involved in school libraries for many years. This new initiative is calling for large-scale public and private funding, alongside collaboration from other charities, publishers and ambassadors, to transform and equip 1,000 primary school libraries by 2025. This is extremely welcome news.

Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) Reflecting Realities Report 2021 – this is vital reading for anyone involved with children’s books in any capacity. 15% of the children’s picturebooks, fiction and non-fiction titles published in 2020 featured characters of colour. That’s compared to 10% in 2019, 7% in 2018 and 4% in 2017. We can see that progress has been made but there is still a long way to go. The details in the report make for interesting reading regarding the trends in different genres. For example the percentage for fiction in 2020 has remained the same as 2019. A subject for further discussion.

Report shows fourfold rise in minority ethnic characters in UK children’s books – an article in the Guardian discussing the findings of the Reflecting Realities report.

Reflecting Realities: Book Suggestions for Early Years to Lower Key Stage 2 – this is a helpful post by Jo Cummins in which she recommends a range of recently published books reflecting varied ethnicities suitable for this age group. I’m pleased to see some of my favourites published by Alanna Max Books and Tiny Owl publishing too.

Outside In World: Children’s Books in Translation – news this week about two new partnerships for Outside in World who explore, promote and celebrate children’s books from around the world in translation to English. The University of Portsmouth has acquired the OIW Collection of Children’s Books in Translation, making this unique collection of 1,600 titles available to the public for the very first time. In addition funding has been made available to allow the first in depth study of this field. Full details are available via the link to their official website above.

Empathy Check in Month – EmpathyLabUK has declared November ‘Empathy Check-In month’ in celebration of the publication of Michael Rosen’s StickyMcStickStick this week. There is a special video from Michael Rosen as inspiration for children to revisit the Empathy Walks and subsequent Empathy Resolutions they made on Empathy Day in June 2021.

Beyond Black History Month – Integrating the Study of Black Historical Figures into the Mainstream Primary Curriculum through Literature – Black History Month may now be over but in this excellent blogpost Farrah Serroukh, CLPE Learning Programme Leader asks how can we ensure that these conversations are not just confined to October.

Britannica Magazine – Launch Offer – What on Earth Books and Britannica Books, two award-winning children’s non-fiction imprints, have teamed up with the all new monthly Britannica Magazine to make schools a special offer. By spreading the word about this new monthly magazine for 7-12 year olds schools get the chance up to acquire wonderful new non-fiction books. You can find out more about the offer via the link and get a preview of the magazine.

Children’s Books That Promote Environmental Sustainability – this week saw the world’s leaders come together for the COP26 summit and this wonderful selection of books on the Books for Topics website is therefore timely. All are recommended by children’s book experts, librarians and teachers and they are suitable for a wide age range.

The Reader Teacher November Books I’m Most Excited About – each month teacher Scott Evans compiles a video giving a taste of the new books coming out soon. This month’s selection includes Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strange reviewed below and Saving Celeste by Timothée de Fombelle and Sarah Ardizzone which sounds intriguing and has a beautiful cover by one of my favourite illustrators, Richard Jones.

Coram Beanstalk: Find out what we do sessions for schools – this reading charity are offering education professionals the opportunity to join them for a free online webinar to find out how they can support schools in further increasing reading attainment, confidence and well-being. You can find out more and sign up for one of the sessions via the link above.

Book Trust New Books We Love This Month – the selection chosen by the Book Trust team includes books for early years, picture books, information books, fiction and graphic novels, so from toddlers to teens there is something for everyone.

SLA Information Book Award Presentation Evening 2021 – The School Library Association Information Book Awards honour the best of the best of information books for children. The Shortlist covers three age categories: Age 7 and under, 8 to 12 and 13 to 16, and the presentation evening takes place online 7:00 – 8:00 Thursday 25th November. Tickets are free and can be booked via the link above.

Barrington Stoke Teacher’s Evening – regular readers of the blog will know how highly I rate these publishers. If you are new to their range and not sure where to start or would like to find out more about using their books in your school they have organised a free online event for school librarians and teachers. It takes place on Tue 16th Nov at 6.15pm with special guest, author Ross Montgomery. Booking available via the link above.

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

Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani Larocca and Archana Sreenivasan
Abrams – A child, mother, and grandmother travel all the way to the end of the earth in this picture book that celebrates multigenerational love. This lovely review by Jill Bennett also includes a look at some of the wonderful illustrations. I like both the sound and the look of this one.

The World Book by Joe Fullmann and Rose Blake – another non-fiction title and Nicki Cleveland has stressed in her review how popular this book is with the children in her school. That’s always the best guide! A book that takes a tour of every country in the world incorporating language, flags, cuisine, statistics, wildlife and much more.

It’s Her Story: Dolly Parton by Emily Skwish illustrated by Lidia Fernandez – selected as LoveReading4Kids Graphic Novel of the Month for November this book is a good introduction to one of our most generous singing superstars.

The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery – this is a Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month November 2021 on LoveReading4Kids and has been recommended widely online. “The many layers of Ross Montomery’s adventure and the powerfully imagined challenges he has dreamt up sends readers on an adventure that matches any computer game for jeopardy and nerve-wracking thrills.” It sounds like a book with a wide appeal.

Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strange – a secret library, links to folklore and superstition all sound like a perfect combination for a dark winter’s evening read. An inviting review by Rich Simpson has whetted my appetite for this new book by the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award 2021

Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds – I always enjoy reviews written by Ben Harris as they provide a ‘feel’ of what the book is like without giving away the plot. This is an excellent example. Ben does say that this is, “absolute gem of a book from a double-act that I hope will produce much, much more.”

That’s all for this week and there is rather a lot to get through. I hope it is helpful or interesting to you.

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Perfect new non-fiction for children from b small publishing

Posted on November 3, 2021 by alibrarylady

Perfect new non-fiction? Yes, perfect! It is hard to fault these two new titles from b small publishing, an award winning small publisher specialising in creative, educational titles with high child appeal. I can wholeheartedly recommend both of these books for primary age readers.

Think Like a Scientist by Susan Martineau designed and illustrated by Vicky Barker

Over the last two years we have all witnessed how important it is for scientific facts to be readily available and communicated clearly for both adults and children. Misinformation and misunderstanding, rumour and scaremongering have been witnessed by, and have affected, many. Developing the skills to read, assess and discuss scientific information is vital and will enable children to navigate the often daunting amount of detail available.

Think Like a Scientist uses real life examples, illustrations, practical ideas and explanations of terms to make the world of science both accessible and exciting. The book opens with questions familiar to many young readers and then moves on to explain what scientists “actually do” and gradually expands to science in the news, the language used by scientists, ethics and the science of the imagination.

The presentation is extremely appealing. Each double page spread incorporates text boxes, infographics, a helpful ‘words to know’ section and an activity to try all in in clear typeface and bright colour. The tips about how to assess the validity of surveys and ‘how to read like a scientist’ are frankly useful for adults too. There is a large amount of information packed into this book’s thirty two pages and it is a book that a child could return to often. The activities are suitable for both home and school giving Think Like a Scientist a wider appeal.

The book ends with a useful glossary of the scientific terms used throughout, answers to the activity questions and a final guide on how to Be a Scientist! This is a brilliant package of a book that children will enjoy but will also benefit from reading.

The Histronauts: A Greek Adventure by Dr Frances Durkin illustrated by Grace Cooke

The Histronauts series is a great way to bring history to life for children. Time travelling children visit a place in history and through the experiences of an ordinary citizen of the time learn what life was like for people then. This information is presented in a graphic novel format heightening the appeal to young readers. The facts are interspersed with activities to try providing an additional learning experience for children. This a series that manages to be both educational and entertaining.

The Histronauts are three children of slightly different ages and with a range of interests accompanied by their cat. The make up of the group is clever allowing the story to diverge to different areas according to each individual child’s motivation and Hero the cat can go to places and do things that the children may not be able or allowed to. This style of presentation allows the reader to learn alongside the three children as they accompany them on their adventure. The voices of Newton, Luna and Nani also allow contemporary comment and attitudes to be included on historical subjects that may have different perceptions today.

In A Greek Adventure the children meet a stage designer so their immersion in history begins in the amphitheatre in Athens and alongside their new friend they learn about the Olympic Games, the Great Dionysia Festival, Greek mythology, Ancient Greek family life and much more. There is a staggering number of facts and detailed information included within this graphic novel and yet this is fun and accessible. Visual literacy is an important skill and there is information contained in the illustrations that is not in the text, children are encouraged to linger and look.

The activities include recipes and instructions on how to decorate a skyphos pot, weaving plus puzzles to solve. A great deal of effort has clearly been made to engage young readers while they learn, for example there is a word search using the Greek alphabet, instructions on how to play the ancient game of petteia are accompanied by a grid so the reader is able to have a go. This book is an excellent addition to a series that will encourage children to investigate history further and can also simply be read for pleasure.

I should like to thank the publishers, b small publishing, for providing my review copies. Both books are now available to be purchased via their website or through Bookshop.org by clicking on the titles above.

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

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Reading Matters – children’s book news

Posted on October 30, 2021 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. For any new readers of this blog, I publish Reading Matters each weekend, usually on a Saturday morning. It includes a quick look at my own reading for the week plus lots of links to articles, news items, interviews, events, reviews and resources that I think may be useful to those of us with an interest in children’s books such as librarians, teachers, parents and maybe creators of these books too. I do hope you find it helpful.

What I’m reading…

As the daughter of Liverpudlians I was brought up on football and my knowledge and understanding of rugby is ‘limited’ and that’s a kind description really. What I needed was a book! Enter James Hook and David Brayley with the second in their Chasing a Rugby Dream series, Impact. Thanks to this enjoyable story and in particular to the likeable hero, Jimmy, and his mentor, I’m now much better informed. Evidence, if any was needed, that you should never rule out a book because you think the subject matter may not be for you. Aside from the obvious appeal to rugby lovers this is a positive and thoughtful exploration of friendship, family and overcoming difficulties containing some important life lessons. One of which, for me, was that you’re never too old to learn!

Ive just started reading Shadow Town by Richard Lambert and found the first few pages mesmerising and now a little further on I am discovering that this story is beautifully crafted. Toby, the lead character, is interesting too. I shall tell you more about it next week. Meanwhile you may like to read this fascinating interview hosted by Ben Harris to mark the publication of Shadow Town in which Ben asks about Richard Lambert’s writing and the part that poetry plays in his writing life.

News, articles and resources…

National Non Fiction November 2021 – a reminder that this annual celebration of all aspects of information books starts on Monday. There are some helpful resources on the Federation of Children’s Book Groups website and details of a competition for KS1, KS2 and KS3 too. It is well worth a look.

Happy Halloween – Jo Cummins has gathered together the latest titles with a spooky or magical theme from board books for our youngest book fans to those suitable for upper primary age. These are not only for Halloween but would be great for sharing on dark winter evenings.

Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels – another fabulous selection chosen by Imogen Russell Williams. Little Horror by Daniel Peak is on my ‘to read shelf’ so I must move it up the list and I keep reading excellent things about Lionheart Girl by Yaba Badoe.

We need to talk to young children about racism – and here’s the reason why – Laura Henry-Allain MBE, author of My Skin, Your Skin, talks to Book Trust about why it’s so important we talk to all children about race, racism and empowerment.

Why shouldn’t children’s writers talk of refugees, persecution and genocide? – an excellent article by Michael Rosen about the importance of writing about ‘difficult’ subjects and how books may help answer children’s questions.

The Farshore Reading For Pleasure 2021 Award Winners – Launched in 2017, these awards aim to recognise teachers and schools whose research-informed practices make a real difference to children’s reading for pleasure. You can also watch the video of the night to get the latest updates from Teresa Cremin and Cally Poplak, see author Jamila Gavin introducing each award, and hear from the winners themselves.

The Blue Peter Book Awards Longlist Announced – Since 2000 the Blue Peter Book Awards have been recognising and celebrating the best authors, illustrators and reads for children. There are two categories Best Story and Best Book with Facts and some wonderful books included so I don’t envy the judges trying to select the shortlist, to be announced on 11th November.

Sita Brahmachari in conversation with Michael Rosen: Why diversity matters for children and young adults – this free online event hosted by the Centre for Language, Culture and Learning and MA Children’s Literature programme at Goldsmiths, University of London takes place Wednesday 17 November from 5.30 – 7.00 pm. A discussion that will be well worth listening to and it’s an opportunity to celebrate the launch of Michael Rosen’s new book, Sticky McStickstick, illustrated by Tony Ross.

The website offering a new way to find diverse children’s books – interesting article in The Big Issue about a new website offering a facility to search for books by subject or age. Although only in its early days Bookversal.com could be a helpful resource.

CILIP 2021 Honorary Fellowships Announced – Congratulations Prof. Chris Whitty, author Matt Haig and school librarian Amy McKay on their CILIP Honorary Fellowships announced this week, representing the breadth and scope of the information, knowledge management and library profession.

The Waterstones Book of the Year Shortlist – thirteen books have made it to this year’s varied shortlist and I was delighted to see Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston included. This is a remarkable book and if you would like to find out more you may like to read my review for Just Imagine.

Finding Joy in the Unknown: a conversation with Dara McAnulty – Forty five calming and uplifting minutes of your time. In this interview, Dara speaks about his book, Diary of a Young Naturalist and his approach to living a life immersed in and guided by the living world.

Read to Me! (Part 4): Ten Great Non-fiction Books to Read Aloud – another great blogpost by Ben Harris. Ben is a wonderful ambassador for reading aloud in the classroom and his latest post on the subject features some excellent non fiction titles that will spark interest, learning, discussion and enjoyment. Perfectly timed for National Non-Fiction November!

No Shelf Control October edition – thank you to teacher Dean Boddington for creating this great reading newsletter. Dean has generously made it free to download and this month’s includes a range of book reviews and an author interview.

The Reader Teacher October Monthly Must Reads – another useful resource, this time from Scott Evans. His selection for this month includes My Skin, Your Skin (mentioned in the links above) and The False Rose which is receiving a great deal of praise at the moment.

I Saw a Beautiful Woodpecker by Michał Skibiński – this is a lovely guest feature on the Federation of Children’s Book Groups blog by the writer of the childhood journal which has been published as a poignant illustrated memoir. Now nearly 91 years old he sounds genuinely surprised by the interest in the book. I am not surprised at all and if you are interested in finding out more you may like to read my review.

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

The Rapping Princess by Hannah Lee illustrated by Allen Fatimaharn – it was the vibrant cover that initially attracted me to this picture book but this lovely review by Aimee Durning for Just Imagine has added to my interest. Aimee says this “is a super rhyming tale that challenges gender stereotypes and celebrates difference.”

Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by Jo Clarke Illustrated by Becka Moore – school librarian Jo Clarke’s debut novel for children is published in March 2022 and this is the first review that I have read. It made me smile. Libby is described as, “Naturally curious and delightfully chatty,” which reminds me of the author! In her review Karen says that the book is “Perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike, this is a series that is going to be a huge hit with readers..” this sounds like one to look out for.

Fledgling by Lucy Hope – this is a book that is receiving a great deal of positive attention online at the moment. Kate Heap’s review has tempted me further, ‘The mysteries of this powerful story are carefully revealed bit by bit in a cleverly crafted plot.’

Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick – another book proof that is on my ‘must read soon shelf’ and this review on the Bookbag site singing its praises has whetted my appetite further. It is not often that I read a book described with the phrase, “its bravura style, its chutzpah”! Wrath is published in March next year and is a teen title that I can see many secondary schools stocking in their libraries.

That’s all for this week and I do hope that something among the links and reviews has been interesting or helpful or even both. My weekend plans include finishing reading Shadow Town and sorting out some wonderful non-fiction to recommend next week. Happy reading!

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