Today, Monday 19 July 2021, as part of Poetry By Heart’s vibrant award ceremony at The Globe, the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) announced the 2021 shortlist for the CLiPPA(CLPE Children’s Poetry Award).
Established in 2003, the CLiPPA is the UK’s only award for published poetry for children. This year’s shortlist, chosen from books published in 2020, demonstrates the vital resilience of poets and publishers. It celebrates exceptional poetry for children by brand new voices and the UK’s best-known and best-loved children’s poet.
The five books on the shortlist are:
Slam!You’re Gonna Wanna Hear This, chosen by Nikita Gill, Macmillan Nikita Gill brings together exciting new poets, all well known to poetry audiences but many making their first appearance in print; the judges hail this as a book to excite young people about all the potential of poetry, curated with skill and passion.
Bright Bursts of Colour, Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff, Bloomsbury Education The poems in Matt Goodfellow’s collection range from the silly to the sensitive, and all will resonate with children aged 7 – 11. The judges admired the child’s eye view, the dynamic representations of real-life experiences, and the book’s understanding of a child’s sensibilities.
Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann, Penguin Compelling, powerful, and authentic, Mann’s verse novel speaks directly to its YA audience. The judges loved the fresh voice and how a form that could feel archaic is made new.
Big Green Crocodile Rhymes to Say and Play, by Jane Newberry, illustrated by Carolina Rabei, Otter-Barry Books A collection of new nursery rhymes, this is a book for parents and adults to share with the very youngest to spark a lifelong love of poetry. The judges call it a perfect post-lockdown book, allowing adults and small children to connect and share poems. It’s beautifully presented and perfectly illustrated.
On the Move, Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake, Walker Books On the Move is both personal and universal, with messages of home, identity and family. The judges found it full of emotion, delivered with a perfect sense of understatement; they praised the way words and illustrations provide pauses, allowing readers space to think.
Allie Esiri, chair of the judges, said ‘If you think your child doesn’t like poetry, please share the books on this year’s CLiPPA shortlist. They are varied – a picture book, an anthology, outstanding single collections and a verse novel – but each one reminds us what the best poetry for children can do. The poets capture real life experiences that will excite their audience and speak directly to them; they plant images and ideas and allow them space to grow.’
This year the judges are poets Zaro Weil, who won the 2020 CLiPPA with her collection Cherry Moonand Amina Jama; Julie Blake, co-founder and Director of Poetry By Heart; and Charlotte Hacking, Learning Programmes Leader at CLPE. Allie Esiri, aka the ‘poetry powerhouse’, whose poetry anthologies include A Poem for Every Day of the Year and regularly top the bestseller lists, is chair of the CLiPPA 2021 judging panel.
The winner of the 2021 CLiPPA will be revealed at the The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, on Monday 11th October, in a Poetry Show introduced by CLiPPAjudges, Zaro Weil and Allie Esiri, and featuring performances by the shortlisted poets. Schools across the UK and beyond will be able to watch the show on The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival platform and access poetry CPD sessions created by CLPE.
There is a free Shadowing Scheme to involve schools in CLiPPA 2021 and you can register your interest here.
The CLiPPA is delivered in partnership with the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and supported by Arts Council England.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. As many schools are now busy with end of term events with little time for children’s book news or reading this will be the last Reading Matters of this school year. Despite the fact I no longer work in a school I still tend to think in academic years rather than calendar ones, a habit it’s difficult to break! What a school year this has been. Thank you to everyone who has commented, pointed me in the direction of useful items or said hello. One of the positives of this last eighteen months has been the kindness and generosity of the lovely children’s book gang. Thank you everyone, it has really helped. I’m hoping that Reading Matters will return in September. Over the next few weeks I plan to catch up with my reading so there will be more reviews on the blog which I hope will be helpful.
What I’m reading..
Last weekend I finished reading How To Be Brave by Daisy May Johnson and it was a treat. Take the best of traditional school stories and blend with eccentric but hugely likeable nuns, add a dash of ducks, mix in a few brave girls and you have the recipe for a winner. The blog tour marking the publication of this joyful book is taking place at the moment and my review will be posted up on 22nd July. Please do follow the rest of the tour to find out more.
I have also read a number of happy and uplifting picture books over the last few days and have reviewed a couple of them. What if, Pig? by Linzie Hunter is a perfect picture book for anyone who has ever let a small worry get out of hand. A reassuring and funny gem of a book, this is already a hit with the youngest member of our family. Ready, Steady School by Marianne Dubuc is tailor made for children who are starting school. This large format book is wonderful for sharing with lots to explore and discuss. I would highly recommend both of these excellent picture books and not only for very young children as there is much to enjoy and learn for older children too.
News, articles and resources…
First up is a suggestion that if you are on Twitter it would be a good idea to follow Nicolette Jones @NicoletteJones #threeofakind a regular Tweet she is posting highlighting current themes in picturebooks and drawing attention to more of them.
Nikki Gamble Presents an Audience With – the first series of these wonderful evenings has been a highlight of the past year for me. Nikki is an excellent interviewer making us feel part of the discussion and the guests are outstanding. I would highly recommend this second series. Booking is open now and full details are available via the link.
School Transition and Reading Survey – Bounce Together in partnership with the School Library Association bring you a free survey that will help you find out more about how and what your pupils read, their views towards reading and how they feel about going to a new school. You need to register for this offer by 19th July so don’t miss out!
The 2021 Branford Boase Award Ceremony 15th July – this year’s Branford Boase Awardceremony will be broadcast from 6.30pm on Thursday 15 July. In a new partnership this year’s ceremony will be hosted as part of the LoveReading LitFest as a special event open to all those interested in children’s literature. The event features all the shortlisted authors and some special guests.
Health Literacy in Schools Toolkit – This is a promotional video created for the Schools’ Health Literacy Toolkit, a resource provided by a team of health librarians, for use by school librarians and other professionals who work with children. The toolkit covers different aspects of health literacy from staying healthy to spotting fake news and looking after your mental health.
The Klaus Flugge Prize Shortlist Sketchbook – thank you to Mat Tobin for making me aware of these great videos from the individual illustrators. These are being regularly added to and are a delight, providing an insight into the creative process behind the wonderful picturebooks included on this year’s shortlist.
The Teachers’ Reading Challenge – a reminder that this launches today, 10th July. This is an opportunity for school and library staff to expand their knowledge of contemporary children’s books and develop their understanding of reading for pleasure pedagogy. Run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the Open University with funding from Goldsmiths, University of London. There was a live event on Tuesday evening that is still available to watch via Facebook if you missed it.
Inclusive Indies – Inclusive Indies was set up by Knights Of and Jacaranda Books in partnership with Spread the Word in 2020,as a response to the impact of Covid-19 on independent presses. The aim for this year’s campaign running from 3rd – 17th July is to highlight the important work done by these small indies who often don’t have the marketing budget to reach new readers, and shine a spotlight on the important work they are doing.
The Week Junior: The Summer of Reading – this newspaper is one of my favourite publications for children, always packed full of useful news, articles and features. They are encouraging children to find their reading superpower this summer. What a great idea! There is a fantastic book list to choose from and details of how to get involved on the website via the link above.
Free Books Campaign – this organisation is collaborating with Marcus Rashford’s Book Club and MacmillanKidsUK to get 400 copies of brilliant children’s books into vital youth services across the UK & Ireland. You can read more about the campaign and how to request a copy via the link.
Summer 2021 Recommended Reads – Books for Topics have put together a list of some of their favourite new children’s books out this summer, listed by age group. The summer selection includes stories of far-away islands, creatures of the deep, treasure quests and plenty of adventures in the great outdoors.
The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2021 – you can watch the announcement of this year’s winner, Pizazz by Sophy Henn, on the video available via the link and find out more about this award for early illustrated fiction and the shortlist here.
A New Chapter’s Summer Reading Challenge – this is a great way to motivate children to read over the summer holiday without overwhelming them. Each challenge comprises ten books suitable for each year group from Reception to Year 11 with downloadable sheets to track progress available. A great resource and one worth exploring.
Teacher Hug Book Club – Primary School librarian Rumena Aktar discusses and reviews the latest children’s books and talks to the authors and illustrators on Teacher Hug Radio on Sunday at 11am. Tomorrow, 11th July, Rumena will be chatting with author Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrator Diane Ewen.
Book Blast Children’s Book Choices of the Month – another great initiative from Nikki Gamble. Join Nikki on the last Friday of each month to hear about forty new children’s books in twenty minutes. Hosted on Zoom you can register via the link above.
UKLA announce the winners of the Our Class Loves This Book Award 2020 AND 2021 – This award asks teachers to explore a book in detail with their classes and encourage children’s creative responses to the chosen book. I am delighted to see Ben Harris and his Year 6 class as the deserved winner of the 2021 award. Ben is such an excellent advocate of reading aloud, reading for pleasure and all aspects of children’s literature and generous in his sharing of knowledge with others it is lovely to see him rewarded. All three winners’ inspiring videos are worth watching.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Zeki Gets a Checkup by Anna McQuinn illustrated by Ruth Hearson – I love this insightful review by Fabia on Candid Cocoa. It highlights beautifully the importance of excellent picture books such as this one for toddlers as part of the learning experience in addition to being a joy to share.
Bumble & Snug and the Angry Pirates by Mark Bradley – a lovely, informative review by Melanie McGilloway on the Library Mice blog of this new graphic novel for emerging readers plus five fabulous graphic novels recommended by Mark himself.
Between Sea and Sky by Nicola Penfold – Where the World Turns Wild was a book I very much enjoyed last year so I was already looking forward to this but this really great review has tempted me further. Mike on This Book is Brilliant also includes a letter from Nicola to a child born on July 8th 2021 to be opened on their 13th birthday which I found poignant yet hopeful. A little like the book itself perhaps.
Little Light by Coral Rumble illustrated by Shih-Yu Lin – this novel told in verse deals with difficult subjects and the hard challenges that some children and families face. Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves, in her review for Just Imagine, gives examples of how this book could be used in schools and provides a detailed look at the story.
That’s everything for this week and until September. I hope that everyone has a good summer with family and friends. For the teachers who are reading this I will leave you with this wonderful piece by Jackie Morris. It is a beautiful thank you to teachers for all you have done throughout the pandemic from her and also from the rest of us who don’t have quite the same gift with words. Happy summer!
And I know it’s not remotely book related but as a football fan since childhood I’ve found the last couple of weeks exciting, cheering, tense and almost every emotion in between. I confess to singing along loudly to Sweet Caroline in the car. I know…sorry! Here’s something for the footie fans among you to hum along to… I have everything crossed for tomorrow.
Ready, Steady, School! by Marianne Dubuc is the perfect book to share with children who will shortly be starting school. Every single page contains detailed illustrations packed with much to talk about and enjoy. It is a wonderful book that will reassure and entertain.
This large format book grabs your attention as soon as you see the front cover. The reader can see Pom at the centre of a busy hive of activity with animals involved in a variety of different pastimes. Already adult and child have plenty to talk about. Oops! Look, little wolf has dropped his book. What is squirrel counting? What kind of animal is that asleep next to the jigsaw? We are tempted to stop and look and this sets the scene for the rest of this lovely, search and find book.
As we turn the page we follow Pom, a small gnome whose gender is not specified, on an adventure through several different animal schools. Pom has to decide which school to go to next year but it’s going to be difficult to select one as they all appear to have so much to offer. Perhaps Pom’s school will be a combination of all of them. That would definitely be a reassuring message for small readers!
Each school depicts a different aspect of school life. The rabbits are learning to count, the frogs are being creative with arts and craft, the foxes are keeping fit playing different sports and (my favourite!) the wolves are enjoying reading and book chat in the library. Every double page spread is packed with appealing detail to explore and talk about. In addition Marianne Dubuc has hidden specific details for children to search for in every school. For example: an animal having a nap, an animal eating a snack or and animal visiting from another school. She has also included a character from a well known fairy tale enjoying life in each school. This adds an extra dimension to the sharing of the book and increases children’s involvement.
The Library
As a family we have enjoyed browsing this lovely book and my adult son commented that it reminds him of Richard Scarry’s Busy Town and What do People Do All Day, which he adored when he was little. He is right, it has a similar appeal. The style of the illustrations, familiar from Mr Postmouse and Up the Mountain, is clear and appealing to children. The translation by Sarah Ardizzone gives the text a conversational tone as though we are actually listening to the animals talking with little snippets of chats being overheard in different places. Each time you revisit a page you discover more.
Ready, Steady, School! is perfect for preparing little children for school. It will encourage and reassure and give parents and teachers an opportunity to talk about different aspects of school life. It is also great fun trying to find all the hidden animals and characters. There are some fantastic Teaching Notes created by Martin Galway of Hertfordshire Learning available to download from the Book Island website which provide ideas for a more structured discussion about the book. You may also enjoy this lovely video with Mariannne Dubuc giving more background to Ready, Steady, School!
Ready, Steady, School! was published in June and is now available to purchase at your local independent book shop or direct from the publisher, Book Island.
What if, Pig? by Linzie Hunter is the perfect picture book for anyone who has ever had a niggling worry that has got out of hand. Wonderful for little worriers and bigger ones too, it will open up conversation about anxiety and will reassure as it is full of kindness and understanding. I love this!
Pig is wonderful; a kind and thoughtful friend and much loved by everyone, a thoroughly nice chap. When Pig decides to throw a party for his friends this should be a source of joy for him and for his chums. He draws up his party check list and sends out his invitations. However Pig is a worrier. As the party draws near he starts to think, ‘what if’ …what if no-one comes, what if no-one enjoys the party, what if a ferocious lion eats the invitations or worse still the guests? Poor Pig is beside himself with worry and decides he must cancel the party. Then his wise and loyal best friend Mouse comes to his aid.
This is an absolutely wonderful picture book. The text flows with a lovely rhythm making it perfect to read aloud and the illustrations are gorgeous. Linzie Hunter conveys huge amounts of emotion in pig’s changing expressions and the detail begs to be explored as you read. From the party checklist to the invitations winging their way to the guests there is so much to talk about. Who are Uncle Potato and the Bunny Bros? I think we need a sequel to find out more. There is a quiet double page spread where a disconsolate Pig is being led along the path through a dark forest by small, cheerful Mouse then, as we turn the page, he protects Pig from the storm clouds above as he negotiates stepping stones across a river to the sunny land on the other side. With his friend to guide and support him through the difficult bits of life Pig will be able to enjoy the happy times ahead.
The humour and the optimistic tone of this appealing book lighten the important message it conveys. We know that for some children worries can mount up and anxiety can be a problem for many. What if, Pig? acknowledges this and is simply perfect for opening up conversations about worries, both the small and the more serious. There is a lovely point in the story when the animals reveal their own worries to each other and find reassurance in doing so. The horse who worries that “people cannot tell I’m a horse” and the bear who is not very ‘outdoorsy’ made me smile. The power of friendship is conveyed beautifully and Pig discovers that he is not alone, that others care and that he is accepted and understood.
This is a funny book, funny and kind. This has been enjoyed by everyone I have shared it with and this smashing book has an appeal for both children and adults. It is for anyone who has ever worried about things and that is probably all of us. What if, Pig? is a simply gorgeous debut picture book that should be in every primary school classroom.
What if, Pig? was published on 10th June by Harper Collins and is available to purchase online. There are some lovely activity sheets to download free on the publisher website that you may like to share.
If you are looking for another picture book to reassure worried or anxious children I would recommend the rather lovely Felix After the Rain.
Welcome to this week’s look at what has been happening in the world of children’s books. I feel that I say this every week but there has been a great deal happening with award announcements, important research and articles plus of course lots of great new books. So although there are a lot of links here I hope that it will be worth making time to explore them further.
What I’mreading…
Last week I mentioned The Three Impossibles by Susie Bower and the interesting interview with Nikki Gamble and last weekend I finished reading this lovely story. You can read my review to find out why I liked it so much. I think it would appeal to fans of Abi Elphinstone’s books.
Over the last few days I have been reading and reviewing books for the School Library Association journal, The School Librarian (TLS). Reviews have to be short which I sometimes find tricky when a book warrants a longer discussion. One picturebook amongst my selection was When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke and luckily it was reviewed on the Lily and the Fae blog this week so I have included it below.
At the moment I am reading How to Be Brave by Daisy May Johnson and finding it endearingly eccentric. Having followed Daisy since I joined Twitter nine years ago it’s a delight to see her love of children’s school stories culminating in her producing one that will have a new generation of readers trying to pack their trunks and join in the fun.
News, articles and resources…
Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels – another wonderful selection of the latest books reviewed by Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian and it’s lovely to see Nen and the Lonely Fisherman and The Secret Detectives included. There are even more titles added to my wish list now too.
Libraries are at the forefront of combatting loneliness and inequality – not strictly speaking a children’s books article but nonetheless we all know how important public libraries are in providing access and encouragement to young readers so I have included it. Pamela Tulloch chief executive at the Scottish Library and Information Council highlights their importance in this article for Big Issue.
Chapter Book Round-Up: 10 You Might Have Missed – another helpful collection from Alison at Books for Topics. A good range from books suitable for those just venturing into reading chapter books to thought provoking reads for children in Year 6.
Literacy Hive – a comprehensive library of the programmes and resources available to inspire young writers, support individual readers and promote whole school reading for pleasure. This website has a search facility to enable you find suitable resources and is suitable for both primary and secondary.
Lit in Colour: Diversity in Colour in English Schools – The 35-page report forms part of the Lit in Colour campaign launched last year by Penguin Random House (PRH) and the Runnymede Trust. Published this week it has “the aim to find innovative and practical ways to give schools the support and tools they need to introduce more books by people of colour into the classroom for all ages.” An important read for everyone involved with children’s books. You can watch Benjamin Zephaniah being interviewed about the report for BBC News here.
Best Books for our Time – Caroline Bradley of Just Imagine looks at books suitable for our present situation as we look to the future and the need to support children’s well being. She also suggests some titles for Year 6 in the final weeks of this academic year.
Young adult books round-up – review – Fiona Noble reviews the latest books for teens including the second novel by Manjeet Mann and some funny books ideal for the summer holidays.
100 best children’s books from the last 100 years – chosen by the team at Book Trust these lists are broken down into four age groups. There’s a quiz to check how many you have read. Are your favourites included?
The Reader Teacher Monthly Must Reads for June – Scott Evans has chosen his favourite reads for the last month, including the wonderful When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle. You can read Scott’s reviews and download a free poster.
A Summer Reading List for KS3: Readers aged 11-13 – super school librarian Lucas Maxwell has used his considerable experience to compile a list that is suitable for a wide range of interests and reading abilities. It would be useful for Year 6 too.
The Song That Sings Us: Cover Reveal – this is a treat to look forward to. The new novel by Nicola Davies will be published in October with a cover featuring art by Jackie Morris. Simon on the Family Bookworms blog provides us with a taste of what to expect including a video of Nicola Davies reading an extract.
Book Blast with Nikki Gamble Monday 7th July 7pm – a twenty minute breeze through the best books of the month plus an opportunity to chat and share. This sounds great fun and a good way of keeping up to date with the latest books.
Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winners 2021 – on Thursday it was announced that Elle McNicoll’s A Kind of Spark is the Overall Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2021. The Best Illustrated Book Winner is The Grumpy Fairies by Bethan Stevans and the Best Book for Older Readers is Wranglestone by Darren Charlton. Congratulations to all the winners. You can read articles by winners via the link.
Children’s Book Show – this arts funded charity is returning to live theatres this autumn with a fabulous programme of authors, poets and illustrators appearing across the country. The line up includes Michael Rosen and Valerie Bloom plus Catherine Rayner and Jo Empson. It also has an international flavour with visits from Sydney Smith and Kwame Alexander. Funding has also allowed for every child attending the events to receive a free book. There are also in school workshops available. Please follow the link above to find out more.
The 2021 UKLA Award Winners Announced – The 2021 UKLA Awards are the only national awards judged by class teachers. This year saw the first ever joint winners for the 11-14+ category, UK #OwnVoices debut authors win two categories and the entire judging process, including the winning ceremony, conducted virtually. Find out who won via the link!
The Reader Teacher Coming Soon Video – June has whizzed by and here we are again with Scott Evans’ round up of the books he is recommending for the coming month.
2 months to go: get ready to celebrate #WorldKidLitMonth in your school – some ideas for teachers and educators of how you could celebrate translation and global reading in your school community this September. This is great resource with links to all manner of creative ideas to enjoy translated stories and global fiction.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke – this is a valuable picture book for many reasons and this detailed review provides a snapshot of both the poem and the illustrations within its pages and the reasons it should be in schools and homes.
Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A Reynolds, illustrated by Pablo Leon – graphic novels are growing in popularity and reading this review by Fabia on Candid Cocoa it is easy to understand why. She says this new book is, “the perfect way into graphic novels for children in KS2 this thrilling, superhero adventure will be enjoyed by middle-grade readers everywhere”
SkyWake Invasion by Jamie Russell – there has been a real buzz online about this new sci-fi novel and this review on the This Book is Brilliant blog captures the enthusiasm shown by those who have read it already. “The writing in SkyWake is awesome! It’s fast-paced and exciting, and had us racing through the chapters so we could find out what happened next.” There is also a guest post from author Jamie Russell about the inspiration for this new series.
Phew! That’s it for this week, I think. I hope it has been helpful.
The Three Impossibles by Susie Bower is an enjoyable blend of quest, adventure, magic and fairy tale featuring a reluctant princess with an insatiable curiosity. A story to make you believe that the impossible is achievable with a little patience.
Cover illustration Thy Bui
On the day she was born Princess Jemima’s mother died and a mysterious curse was cast on her family. Ever since, Jemima, or Mim as she prefers to be known, has been isolated in a walled castle, forbidden from venturing to the Outside by her father the King. But Mim has an Enquiring Mind and, frustrated by the secrets that surround her, is always asking questions. Her grumpy governess Miss Fogarty, ‘Foggy’, has little success in educating Mim in the art of being a Princess so the King brings a sinister stranger to the palace to take control of Mim’s education. Madame Marionette’s ensuing power over the King and the court prompts Mim to investigate matters still further. The discovery of a mysterious book in the library helps to set in place a series of events that result in Mim tackling an epic quest that will change her life completely.
This is enjoyable adventure and it is easy to warm to Mim who is an appealing protagonist. Her repeated claim to have an Enquiring Mind is true and her curiosity is central to the story. Told from Mim’s point of view the reader accompanies her as she experiences bewilderment, danger and heartbreak, and ultimately love, loyalty and understanding. It is a satisfying journey.
There are some wonderful characters involved in this adventure and I particularly liked Smith the gruff but devoted blacksmith who offers support and friendship to Mim and Mac, the old alchemist who plays an important part in the story. Madame Marionette is a villain in the true tradition of children’s literature, glamorous but deadly. The fairytale quality of both the story and the setting adds to the enjoyment. The curse at the heart of the story reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty, the princess locked in the castle, the evil would be stepmother, all of these children will recognise, perhaps subliminally, and this familiarity is part of the reading experience for them. The mythical, evil mer-people feature in some of the scenes when there is the greatest sense of danger and threat. There is just enough peril to excite and to scare, but not too much.
Photo Mont St Michel A Thompson
The setting is wonderful. The description of the library, the curved walls reaching up to the glass roof above and “the most interesting smell in the whole castle” is a book lover’s dream. The castle itself with the ocean lapping at its walls reminded me very much of Mont St Michel off the coast of Normandy and the descriptions of the landscape heighten the sense of danger and mystery. The reader is transported to a magical place where the impossible does in fact seem possible. A satisfying and enjoyable read and perfect for adventure loving young readers.
The Three Impossibles was published on 3rd June by Pushkin Press and is available to purchase online. I would like to thank Poppy Stimpson for my proof copy.
You may be interested in this fascinating interview with Susie Bower hosted by Nikki Gamble on In The Reading Corner about the inspiration for this lovely story.
If you are looking for another adventure for this age group I would recommend Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone, another story with a magical quality featuring a brave girl battling against an evil villain.
Welcome to this week’s catch up with what has been happening in the world of children’s books. There has been rather a lot going on so why not grab yourself a cuppa and settle down to see what you may have missed.
What I’m reading…
This week I have done rather more children’s book related watching and listening than reading but I did review three rather special picturebooks. All of them, I think, are books that can make a difference to their readers.
My listening included one of Nikki Gamble’s In the Reading Corner podcasts, this time with Susie Bower, author of The Three Impossibles. There is a link given below, also a review. I’m halfway through this adventure story at the moment and enjoying both the character of Mim and the way the author plays with familiar tropes from traditional fairy tales.
There was a lovely event on Wednesday when Mat Tobin chatted with Sav Akyuz about his new picture book, ‘Big’. Mat asked all the questions that you want to know the answers to and it was a treat to watch Sav draw live too. If you missed it I would highly recommend watching and the link is included below.
Two more wonderful books for review arrived in the post this week from Just Imagine, Julia and the Shark and Lightening Falls, so I will update you on my reading progress next week. I am also working my way through the selection I am reviewing for TLS, the School Library Association magazine. As if that wasn’t enough to be going on with I have done my bit for Independent Book Shop Week and bought The Place For Me: Stories About the Windrush Generation. Lots of reading to look forward to!
News, articles and resources…
Miss P’s Literacy Calendar 2021-2021 – created by teacher Sadie Phillips, this fabulous resource is perfect for planning ahead and for keeping up to date with all the book awards, events and key dates. A comprehensive guide to everything related to children’s books this includes links and full details. It must take an enormous amount of time and effort to prepare. Thank you Sadie!
In the Reading Corner Podcast with Susie Bowers – Nikki Gamble interviews Susie Bowers to talk about the influences on The Three Impossibles and her approach to writing. I enjoyed this and hope you do too.
Mat Tobin and Sav Akyuz in Conversation… a little chat about a BIG book – Mat Tobin, Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, chats to Sav Akyuz in this enlightening and interesting conversation hosted by Margaret Allen of Renaissance Learning. It’s fascinating to see some of the process of picturebook creation and I learned a lot from this lovely event.
2022 Laugh Out Loud (LOLLIES) Awards Shortlist Announced – the shortlists for these popular awards were announced this week. Awarded in three different age categories they were great if you want to help children discover some brilliant new funny authors and encourage reading for pleasure.
No Shelf Control June Issue – Dean Boddington’s monthly reading newsletter for parents and families is now available. Free to download from Dean’s blog June’s letter includes a Q&A with author Ian Eagleton and a feature on books about robots. A great resource generously shared by Dean.
Summer Explorer Guide to The Lost Spells – these gorgeous guides created by Eva John are designed to follow the seasons and the new Summer edition has been made available this week. They are for anyone who want to explore The Lost Spells by Jackie Morris and Robert MacFarlane and celebrate the magic of nature and language. For use in classrooms, at home or in an outdoor space of your choosing.
Author Interview with Kandace Chimbiri– Q&A with author Kandace Chimbiri on the Candid Cocoa blog. Fabia discusses with the author why she writes Black history books for children plus her new collaborative book, The Place For Me: Stories About the Windrush Generation which is reviewed below.
Whose Stories? – this new initiative is a podcast about children’s books, diversity, and the role of archives, brought to you by Newcastle University and Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. In the first season it explores the story of children’s books and Black Britain. You’ll hear from authors, illustrators, and changemakers in the world of children’s literature, including the multi-award-winning writers John Agard, Valerie Bloom, and Beverley Naidoo. There’s a trailer available via the link and the series starts on 1st July.
Reading is Magic Festival is Back – this was extremely successful last year and will return from 27 September – 1 October. A digital book festival for schools and families with writers, illustrators and poets taking part in a five-day festival which can be beamed straight into schools and homes. The line-up includes Michael Rosen, Cressida Cowell, Rob Biddulph, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Holly Bourne and Will Sutcliffe
Scouts Book Club – the first Scouts Book Club has been launched in partnership with Walker Books. Over the next year they will be showcasing new title releases alongside exciting activities including: author video readings, free sample chapter downloads of each title, and activities related to each story.
Promoting Diversity Through Literacy – the Literacy Trust has curated a list of resources and book lists compiled as a quick reference. There are two downloadable files available, one for EYFS to KS2 and another for KS3+
SLA Information Book Award Lesson Plans & Posters – The School Library Association IBA shortlist includes a selection of insightful information books in three age groups and there are now free lesson plans available that could be adapted for use in the library or the classroom.
Introducing Ten Stories to Make a Difference – this week saw the launch of this special selection of books and this guest post for CILIPby Dylan Calder, founder of Pop Up introduces the series created to mark their tenth anniversary.
What is Happy Here? – Happy Here is a new anthology for primary school aged children featuring inspiring stories from emerging and established black British authors and illustrators. BookTrust and CLPE are sending every primary school in England a free copy of Happy Here in September, as well as a poster designed by Anjan Sarkar. There is also an opportunity to register to join a free online author event for years 5, 6 and 7.
Indie Book Awards 2021 Winners – Honouring the paperback books of the summer as voted for by independent booksellers, the Indie Book Awards celebrate the best reads for the summer. The Children’s Fiction Winner is Tamarind & the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan and the Picture Book Winner is The Hospital Dog by Julia Donaldson & Sara Ogilvie.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
The Place for Me: Stories About the Windrush Generation – this week marked Windrush Day and this book contains twelve tales of sacrifice and bravery inspired by first-hand accounts of the Windrush generation with a foreward by Dame Floella Benjamin. This review by Jo Cummins provides thoughtful comment on this new book which sounds like an excellent addition to school libraries and classrooms.
See What I Can Do! by Jon Roberts illustrated by Hannah Rounding – this informative new picture book tells the stories of a number of children with a variety of differences. This helpful review by Mary Esther Judy provides a taste of the book and its contents. She says, “Page after page of stories to encourage exploration and understanding of differences and ignite the determination and imagination of children, parents and teachers.’’
The Three Impossibles by Susie Bower – this is a lovely review of a book I am very much enjoying reading this week. Rich Simpson says, “I loved the voice of ‘Mim’, the feisty, determined princess battling the rules imposed on her and with undeterred curiosity about all she’s not allowed to know about.” I agree with Rich and think this mystery will have a wide appeal.
We Made a Movie by Charlotte Lo – I thought We Won an Island was a lovely happy read and this follow up sounds equally enjoyable. Chris Soul describes it as “just as funny, charming and uplifting” as its predecessor. This would probably be a good title to put on a Summer reading list.
Cloud Soup by Kate Wakeling illustrated by Elīna Braslina – this is an excellent review by Sam Keeley of Just Imagine and this poetry collection sounds perfect for schools. This guest blog by Kate Wakeling is a lovely read too. I like the description of poems as “a form of word music”
Well, I did say there had been a lot going on! I hope you’ve found something of interest or a book review that’s whetted your appetite. Happy reading.
Picture books can make a difference. Not only for our youngest readers but for all age groups and all types. They can offer humour, entertainment and pleasure but also comfort, encouragement, information and inspiration. Over recent weeks I have read many fabulous picture books including re-issues, debuts, some from well-known authors, illustrators and publishers others from smaller independents. It is difficult to review them all but I wanted to highlight three new titles that I believe are both significant and rather special for different reasons. They are reviewed below in publication date order.
This delightful and happy debut is a joyful celebration of community and friendship that also introduces young children to traditional foods from different cultures and different diets such as vegetarian and vegan.
Mrs Fig is popular with her neighbours and when they discover that she is moving to a retirement home they decide to host a special party to say goodbye to their dear friend. Everyone gets to work and families spend time creating delicious food for everyone to share and enjoy. The story culminates in a wonderful multi-racial and multi-generational celebration when everyone gathers together in a glorious street party.
Tiny Owl publishers have a lovely theme for many of their books, they are full of hope and kindness, and this charming book is no exception. From the opening double page spread the reader is invited to explore and to notice. We are able to follow individual characters throughout the story and watch how they come together to play, to cook, to talk and to share. What is striking is the connections between individuals, families and generations and the overriding feeling is one of acceptance and even of love. The illustrations are cheerful and detailed with so much to explore that this book deserves a lingering read rather than a rush through.
The final pages are devoted to an explanation by Sarah van Dongen of the different diets and the varying reasons for people choosing to be vegetarian or vegan. The endpapers depict a tempting selection of foods for young readers to identify which is a lovely touch. A happy celebration of what unites us rather than divides us, this is a picture book to delight in.
Picture book retellings of fairy tales are many and varied but this beautiful story, a modern adaptation of The Little Mermaid, has a special tenderness and hope at its heart.
Nen the merman lives deep beneath the waves exploring the seas and searching for true love, eventually ignoring his father’s warnings Nen starts to explore the world above the sea. One day his song reaches a lonely young fisherman named Ernest and when the two meet they feel a special connection. But Nen’s father, Pelagios, is not happy and creates a storm to separate them and Ernest is lost beneath the waves as Nen fights to save him.
This is a stunning book. The illustrations are gorgeous and convey both the special bond between Nen and Ernest and the beauty of the landscape. Inspired perhaps by the Suffolk coastline James Mayhew has captured the scale of the vast skies and horizons and these are a spectacular backdrop to the sensitively told story. The switch to vertical presentation empathising the depths of the sea is an inspired touch and the endpapers changing from the stormy seas at the start of the story to the rainbow above a calm horizon at the end reflect the changing circumstances of the characters beautifully. There is a subtle environmental message contained too and this is a picture book that leaves the reader with much to think about. The text is gentle and lyrical adding to the fairy tale quality of this thoughtful and kind story.
Published by Owlet Press to coincide with Pride month this lovely book encourages both understanding and empathy but also celebrates diversity and inclusion in a kind and appropriate way for its audience. The personal touch of its creators is apparent in every page and one can tell that this joint collaboration is important to them both. Thankfully this is a fairy tale retelling with a happy ending.
We Want Our Books is a debut picture book by Jake Alexander with an important message that even the smallest voice can make a difference when it is used for good.
Rosa has lots of questions and her Dad knows that the library is the place for her to find the answers. However the library is closed and not just for the day but for ever to be replaced by a restaurant. Rosa and her sister decide to put on a protest and and do everything they can to try to save their library. Although at first people are too busy or too preoccupied to join the girls Rosa and Maria persist and gradually other voices join theirs and united they can make a big difference.
We Want our Books is an inspiring story and a rallying cry to us all to save our libraries before it is too late. The tone is positive and stresses the power of communities to alter decisions that affect them all and the fact that this is started by two young girls is an empowering message for children. Jake Alexander has presented an important subject in a child friendly way. The text is short but conveys the message succinctly and the bold illustrations support the story with speech bubbles and placard messages. The front endpapers show empty shelves with just a few books scattered about whereas those at the end depict well stocked library shelves ready and waiting for users to borrow. It is lovely to see the wide range of people using the library when it reopens, a microcosm of society just as it should be. A picture book about books, libraries and the important role they play in communities is one to cherish.
I should like to thank the publishers, Tiny Owl Books, Owlet Press, Two Hoots and Catherine Ward for my review copies. All three books are available now and can be purchased online by clicking on the titles.
The big news this week has been the announcement of the winners of the Carnegie and Kate Greenway Medals. It was a treat to be able to watch the event live so cheerfully hosted by libraries champion Bobby Seagull. You can read all about the awards in the links below.
What I’m reading…
Over the last few days I have reviewed some new illustrated fiction titles that would be great for children who are just becoming independent readers.
My latest batch of books to review for The School Librarian, the quarterly magazine for School Library Association members, arrived this week so I have added yet more to my tottering to read piles. First up was The Secret Detectives by Ella Risbriger, a thoroughly enjoyable mystery which I think would appeal to fans of Robin Stevens’ Murder Most Unladylike series. Inspired by The Secret Garden the author asks questions of the attitudes displayed and criticised in the classic story.
News, articles and resources…
Winners of 2021 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals Announced – Poet and novelist Jason Reynolds secures first Carnegie Medal win for Look Both Ways (Knights Of) Author and illustrator Sydney Smith wins second Kate Greenaway Medal for Small in the City (Walker Books) Manjeet Mann’s debut novel Run, Rebel (Penguin Random House Children’s) and Sharon King-Chai’s Starbird (Two Hoots) take home the Shadowers’ Choice Awards from the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal shortlists respectively. I found the acceptance speeches moving and inspiring. A lovely ceremony, well done and thank you to everyone involved.
Review of Small in the City by Sydney Smith – this wonderful review by Jake Hayes on the TygerTale blog beautifully conveys what makes this award winning picturebook so special.
How I made the school library the heart of our school – an article by Jenny Howe of Queensbridge School in Birmingham for the Books2All website providing helpful advice and tips on how to maximise your school library’s potential and create a reading ethos in school.
Reading and Recuperation: 2021 Teachers’ Reading Challenge Launch – The Teachers’ Reading Challenge, which will run from 10 July to 19 September 2021, is an opportunity for school and library staff to expand their knowledge of children’s books and develop their understanding of reading for pleasure pedagogy. This free event on 6th July sees a panel discuss this year’s theme’s links to well being and the impact the challenge can make.
Run a Booknic: A Reading Picnic! – included in the recent newsletter from Open University Reading for Pleasure this is a brilliant idea. A chance to read, relax, eat and discuss books together, to build reading together memories and offer support for holiday reading. Download the Booknic guide and join in the fun.
School Librarian of the Year 2021/21 Announced – Kristabelle Williams of Addey & Stanhope School has been awarded the honour of School Librarian of the Year 2020/21 by the School Library Association. Find out more about Kristabelle and the award in this Books for Keeps article. There is also a link to a great piece where she discusses her many initiatives for building a reading culture.
Dara McAnulty and Steve Backshall Revealed as Ambassadors for the Summer Reading Challenge 2021 – amongst the announcements from #SummerofReading this week was the news that teenage naturalist, award-winning writer and broadcaster Dara McAnulty and award-winning explorer, presenter, and writer Steve Backshall, are ambassadors for Wild World Heroes this summer. You can read about all the plans for this year’s Reading Challenge via the link.
In The Reading Corner with A M Dassu – Nikki Gamble interviews A M Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere about her book, her research and the experience of Syrian families seeking refuge. Perfectly timed for Refugees Week.
The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody by Kate Gilby Smith – blog tour – time travel and time slip novels are amongst my favourite books and this guest post on Jon Biddle’s blog by debut author Kate Gilby Smith is a lovely read as she writes a letter from the future to her younger self.
dPictus 100 Outstanding Picture Books Summer 2021 Selection – this is a beautiful selection and well worth a browse. The ongoing 100 Outstanding Picturebooks showcase features the titles which have been highlighted by the most guest curators, and includes an eclectic mix of new-and-soon-to-be-released picturebooks, as well as classic backlist titles. Thank you to Twitter chums Melanie and Karen for bringing this to my attention.
Author Interview: Maisie Chan Interviewed By Sarah Broadley – last week I shared a review of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths from the My Book Corner blog and this follow up interview with the author, Maisie Chan, touches on the inspiration for her characters and the theme of ‘belonging’.
Books for Topics Summer Reading Bingo – if you are making plans to encourage children to keep reading I read the summer holiday this is a great idea. The focus is on reading for pleasure experiences rather than specific texts, with activities like make a den and read inside, read in the dark using a torch and read to a pet or a soft toy. This year’s updated version includes a choice of two bingo boards plus a Recommended Reads sheet. All free to download via the link.
Miss Cleveland: Primary Suitable Books I Will Share With Pride – primary school librarian Nicki Cleveland has generously collated a selection of books suggested by others on Twitter this week in response to her request for recommendations of Primary suitable books featuring gay characters. Titles range from picture books for KS1 to fiction for Year 6.
Pop Up: 10 Stories to Make a Difference – 10 Stories to Make a Difference is a collection of original illustrated stories published by children’s literature non-profit development agency Pop Up. In the reviews below I have included one of the titles from this new collection, Swallows Kiss, and this comprehensive blog post by Jo Cummins provides information about the initiative and a summary of all the titles.
Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye this week…
Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas by Anna Rainbow & Oli Hyatt – I really like the sound of “Tiggy” in this new book that blends pirates and folklore in an adventure for the middle years audience. Kate Heap says, “Readers will be swept away in this battle between good and evil, cheering on Tiggy and her friends while keeping one eye open for Sea Golems!”
Swallows Kiss by Sita Brahmachari and Jane Ray – this book by a dream team partnership had already caught my eye but this review on the Mamma Filz blog has clinched it for me. The tempting peep at the illustrations and the details of the initiative behind the book’s production are definitely worth a look.
Good News by Rashmi Sirdeshpande Illustrated by Adam Hayes – Joy Court’s fantastic review on LoveReading4Schools should be enough to persuade many to get a copy of this new information book . In summary Joy says, “An invaluable and much needed resource from an author with a real facility for straight talking and not talking down to young people.”
That’s all the news for this week and I hope these links are helpful. I’m planning to do my bit to support Independent Bookshop Week over the coming days and hope you have a good week. Happy reading!
When children first show an indication that they are ready to progress on to slightly longer independent reads they can still find pages of dense text a little daunting. Thankfully there has been a recent growth in highly illustrated quality fiction that is just right for this audience. They are attractively presented and appealing but still give young children that sense of achievement of having read a ‘proper book’. However it helps if the stories are exciting, memorable and include characters that readers find engaging. The following books are ones that I have read recently that I think fit the bill perfectly especially as they feature popular themes such as detectives, pirates, dinosaurs and knights on horseback; sometimes even a combination!
Kate on the Case written and illustrated by Hannah Peck
Kate on the Case by Hannah Peck is the first in a new series featuring a young would be super sleuth reporter and her trusty companion, Rupert a talking mouse. Packed with eccentric characters, an enjoyable plot and delightful illustrations this charming package would be just right for newly confident young readers.
Set on a train in true Agatha Christie style the story follows Kate as she, her father and Rupert set off to see her mum who is an explorer and scientist in the Arctic. No sooner has the train left the station than mysterious incidents start to occur. One passenger’s gymnastic trophies are stolen, ancient scrolls disappear and a packet of ginger nuts go missing. Quickly our intrepid heroine is on the case interviewing passengers in an attempt to decipher clues and find the culprit using her trusty Special Correspondent Manual as her guide. Kate suspects the rather severe Madame Maude but her investigations lead her down an unexpected path.
The illustrations throughout this book are lovely and full of detail to explore and complement the story perfectly. This action packed story is a full on complete adventure in itself and in no way feels like a ‘scene setter’ for the forthcoming series. No doubt children will be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to follow Kate on her next adventure.
Kate on the Case is published by Piccadilly Press on 8th July.
Dino Knights: Panterra in Peril by Jeff Norton illustrated by Jeff Crosby
Panterra in Peril by Jeff Norton is the first in a new trilogy merging two popular themes, dinosaurs and medieval knights, in an action packed adventure with a likeable hero. This could covert the most reluctant of readers.
Henry Fairchild is a lowly stable boy in a medieval land where dinosaurs still roam living side by side with people. His task is to care for the creatures who belong to the kindly Lord Harding and Lady Anwyn. When Henry finds himself promoted to the rank of Dino Knight his adventures truly begin and he finds out how brave he can be when it matters.
This adventure is full of thrills and derring-do but there are important themes of loyalty, kindness and equality threaded through the story too. The fast paced plot will keep young readers’ attention and the dramatic illustrations by Jeff Crosby convey some of the story’s more exciting moments well and each chapter bears a lovely heraldic heading.
Presented in a spacious and slightly larger typeface this will be attractive to those who have not developed reading stamina. The book opens with illustrations and brief thumbnail descriptions of the characters and closes with a helpful Practical Field Guide to Dinosaurs from Henry which is a lovely touch.
Dino Knights: Panterra in Peril is published by Scallywag Press on 1st July.
Flintlock Bones: The Eye of Mogdrod by Derek Keilty illustrated by Mark Elkins
The Eye of Mogdrod is the second in another great trilogy for newly independent readers from Scallywag Press. It features a riotous assembly of pirate investigators sailing the seas solving crimes in a jolly adventure which is great fun.
Flynn, Red and the rest of the crew of the Black Hound return in this follow up to The Sceptre of the Pharaohs which would work perfectly well as a stand alone story. In an effort to trace a priceless golden chalice that has been stolen from Fergus McSwaggers, chief of the Bog Islands, Flynn and his friends must face the perils of the Frozen Sea, danger from the Ice Pirates and even the giant cat-like beast, Mogdrod. Excitement and intrigue mount as we join in on this wonderful mix of mystery and humour accompanied throughout by wonderful illustrations by Mark Elvins that add to this book’s appeal. The gallery of characters at the beginning of the book provides an introduction and the frequent double page spreads encourage readers to stop and explore the detail and the jokes.
Flintlock Bones: The Eye of Mogdrod was published in March by Scallywag Press.
I should like to thank the publishers, Laura Smythe and Antonia Wilkinson for providing my review copies.
Library Lady 