Reading Matters – news from the world of children’s books

Posted on September 5, 2020 by alibrarylady


Welcome to the first edition of Reading Matters for the new academic year and I hope it has been a restful summer despite the fact that this has been such a different one for us all. This weekly recap of some of the news, reviews and articles that I have enjoyed or found useful first started as my 2020 New Year resolution and no one is more surprised than me to find myself still compiling them in September. However as, despite everything, there is still children’s book news aplenty and better still a book loving community to share it with here is the latest offering. After a long gap this is bit of a bumper issue, so perhaps settle down with a cuppa and explore!

What I’m reading and what I read over the summer…

One rather special highlight of the summer was the online course run by Nikki Gamble and the Just Imagine team, Exploring Children’s Literature, when for one session per week for six weeks we looked at different aspects including, fairy tales, poetry, well being, taboo subjects, nonfiction and humour. This will be taking place again next year and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Put a reminder in your diaries now! I am currently reading Nikki’s excellent book which is both fascinating and informative.

I have read a variety of books over the last few weeks and have enjoyed them all for differing reasons. After the War by Tom Palmer was a book I read at the end of July and has stayed in my memory since. Beautiful, thoughtful and respectful this is an important story and suitable for Year 6 and older. Many others have sung the praises of this special book over the last few weeks and I would urge you to read this if you have not already done so.

Freedom we Sing by Amyra Leon and Molly Menoza is a beautiful, vibrant picture book to empower and start conversations, perfect for assemblies or class discussions on human rights.

Amongst the other books I have read and enjoyed is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig which I felt lived up to the prepublication hype. The Unwinding by Jackie Morris is a soothing, uplifting and beautiful book to dip in to as needed; reading can be the best medicine at times. Sequin and Stitch by Laura Dockrill and Sara Ogilvie is another thoughtful children’s book published by Barrington Stoke and My Name is River would be excellent for Years 5 and 6 and links perfectly to studying the Rainforest. Among the many books being published this week is The Key to Finding Jack by Eva Jozefkowicz which is a mystery with a difference and a story I very much enjoyed.

Resources and news…

Reading for Pleasure – Resources to Help Children Enjoy Books at Home – when schools temporarily closed in March I compiled a list of resources to help schools and families at that time. Many of these links will still, I think, be useful so I am including them here in case they will help over the coming weeks.

The Literacy Calendar 2020 – 2021 – this wonderful and extremely helpful resource created by Sadie Phillips (Literacy with Miss P) was included in the last Reading Matters but I’m mentioning it again as it is so useful when planning for the coming academic year. It includes a mixture of writing and reading competitions, events, days, weeks, festivals and shadowing schemes suitable for primary pupils. It is available to download in both PDF and Word formats.

Reading is Magic Festival – Have you seen the amazing line up of bestselling authors & illustrators for the Reading is Magic Festival? Six days of FREE digital events designed especially for schools takes place 27 Sep to 2 Oct. You can find out more and sign up at the link above and there is a list of all the fabulous events here.

Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels – I always enjoy these round ups by Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian and this selection is just as tempting as usual.

MMS Publishers – this link takes you to excellent site featuring catalogues for the coming year from the likes of Lantana Publishing, Alana Max Books, Milet Publishers and more. Thank you to Mat Tobin for making me aware of this site.

Read Me a Story in Year 6: Tips for Reading Aloud – the third in a series of blogposts by teacher Ben Harris this is an excellent and encouraging guide for teachers and school librarians giving advice on how to make reading aloud work for you and the children. Part one with suggestions for books to read aloud in Year 6 can be found here and part two here. A brilliant and generous resource.

Love My Books Newsletter – the latest newsletter for parents and educators from this excellent reading charity is packed with information & ideas including simple ways to support children’s reading, new activity pages based on great books & challenging racism through children’s books.

Branford Boase Award 2020 Zoom Winners Announcement – This special event on 9th September celebrates the announcement of the winners of the 2020 Branford Boase Award for author and editor of the outstanding debut novel for children and to celebrate twenty years of this unique award. This special webinar will feature a discussion with 2019 winning author Muhammad Khan and his editor Lucy Pearse, followed by the announcement of the winners of the 2020 Branford Boase Award and a chance to put questions to them. The event will run on Zoom and is free but make sure you register for the event via the link.

Reading groups and the enabling adult – this informative blogpost on the Just Imagine website explores ways in which teachers can support reading in your classroom through their own reading practice.

September is World Kid Lit Month – this month we celebrate and promote world literature for children. We have the chance to explore the world through books for children and teens. Where will you travel to by book? This helpful website includes links to books by country and information about translated texts.

Qatar Foundation Read Alouds – this would be lovely to link to the World Kid Lit initiative. QFI is releasing read-alouds of various children’s books, working with authors, publishers, and writers from across the Arab world.

Tata Storytime – although mentioned in Reading Matters earlier in the year a reminder as you may be interested in using this YouTube channel to link to World Kid Lit Month. Tata Storytime is a new online kids show where fantastic actors read beautiful picture books. With Authors from African, Caribbean & African American heritage these stories will engage your children. Aimed at Pre-school to 8 year olds,

Top 50 Illustrators Borrowed from Public Libraries – this detailed and informative article by illustrator and author Sarah McIntyre is a must read for anyone interested in children’s books. The power of illustration to nurture readers is apparent to anyone involved in this area and this in-depth look at the current position is both fascinating and important.

CILIP Announces the Key Dates for the 2021 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards – The key dates for #CKG21 are announced here alongside news of revised judging criteria for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal similar to that adopted for the Carnegie following the consultation after the Diversity Review.

The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shephard Authorfy Masterclass – this latest master class from the fabulous Authorfy team is wonderful. ‘The Boy Who Grew Dragons’ is the perfect series for ages 7-9 and now you can discover where she got her inspiration from, how she plans her stories and more. It’s free to join Authorfy and they provide wonderful support and ideas for children, teachers and families.

First Issue of PaperBound Magazine – this looks great for use with secondary age pupils in particular. ‘A writing magazine for the young, and the young at heart. Our aim is to bring you useful writing advice, brilliant book recommendations, and get you writing creatively. Whether you are a young person, a parent, a teacher, librarian, someone who would like to write for young people or you just enjoy reading MG and YA fiction, we hope you find something useful within these pages.’

Why Sita Brahmachari wants you to discover the amazing history in your street – Sita Brahmachari’s new story When Secrets Set Sail is all about children discovering the hidden history of their home – and now she wants you to do the same. Read this article on the Book Trust website to find out more.

Mythical beasts roam the world of children’s books – a wonderful selection of new children’s books in this round up by James Lovegrove for the Financial Times.

Interview with Andre Reece, Editor of Books for Keeps – Books for Keeps has for many years been a magazine that have I found enormously helpful. Jake Hope’s interview with Andrea, editor since 2010 is lovely and an example of the positivity of children’s book enthusiasts. If you have not already discovered Books for Keeos I would highly recommend it.

Simon Smith’s Year 1 – Year 6 Picturebook Lists – last but most definitely not least I want to include these wonderful lists just in case there is anyone who has missed them. Fabulous books, old and new, compiled by a headteacher who loves them and loves sharing them.

Finally, some recent book reviews that caught my eye…

It is impossible to list all the fabulous books that have been published over the summer, particularly as this week has seen a surge of titles but these are just a few for a range of ages and tastes that may tempt.

Superheroes Don’t Get Scared…Or Do They? – by Kate Thompson, illustrated by Clare Elsom – as children all return to school with many of them having been exposed to worries and uncertainty in recent months this sounds like just the right type of book to reassure the youngest among them. You can find out more in this review by Jo Clarke.

Jumbo the Most Famous Elephant Who Ever Lived by Alexandra Stewart and Emily Sutton – picture book nonfiction is a wonderful way for children to learn and this beautiful book is an excellent example. In his helpful review teacher Paul Watson describes this ‘cracking read’ and provides suggestions as to how to use this book in the classroom.

Be an Artist Everyday by Susan Schwake and Charlotte Farmer – a pocket sized journal to prompt creativity with ideas, shape challenges and colour tests. In her review Louise Nettleton says, ‘This would be a lovely treat at the start of the new school year. It is no bigger than most notebooks and would slip nicely into a school bag for playtime or lunchbreak activities.’


Mason Mooney Paranormal Investigator by Seaerra Miller – my own knowledge of graphic novels is limited so I rely on the advice of others for recommendations. This great review by Mat Tobin provides a wonderful taste of what to expect from this one. ‘This is a beautifully presented debut, rich in humour and with a diverse cast.’ I’m now very much looking forward to reading this.

October, October by Katya Balen illustrated by Angela Harding – this is a lovely review by teacher Andrew Rough who describes the book as ‘a strong story about relationships and coming to terms with your place in the world’ and excellent for Upper Key Stage 2 (aged 8plus) Perfect for primary school libraries and classrooms and publishes on 17th September.

The Hungry Ghost – H.S. Norup – another lovely review! This time by Rich Simpson. I love the sound of this for Rich says, ‘This was a thrilling, exciting, thoughtful and moving story. It kept me gripped from start to end, desperate to find out more and have the secrets revealed.’ Published on 24th September and another for the shopping lists.

The Wanderer by Peter Van Den Ende – this looks simply stunning. A wordless picturebook that comes recommended by Mat Tobin is definitely going on my wish list and his beautiful review, ‘a ‘visual delight’ would be selling Peter Van Den Ende’s creation short.’, has convinced me to put this one near the top of that list.

The Girl Who Became a Tree by Joseph Coelho; illustrated by Kate Milner – this fabulous review by Ben Harris has persuaded me that I need to get a copy of this book which sounds both intriguing and remarkable. One for older readers of KS3 and above Ben has described this as ‘without doubt one of my books of the year’ which is good enough for me.

That’s all for this week. I do hope that this contains something of interest or a resource or idea that will be helpful. Have a happy weekend with some time for reading and warm good wishes for a happy and healthy Autumn term.

Next week I am taking part on the blog tour to celebrate the publication of To the Island by Patricia Forde illustrated by Nicola Bernardelli so do please look out for this to find out more.





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The Key to Finding Jack by Ewa Jozefkowicz cover illustration by Katy Riddell

Posted on September 2, 2020 by alibrarylady

Flick and her older brother Jack have a close bond, spending time together and sharing a love of solving riddles each evening. When Jack goes missing following an earthquake while on a gap year trip in Peru Flick is determined to follow the clues to find her beloved brother. Gradually she realises that perhaps the biggest mystery of all is the person you think you know the best.

Cover illustration by Katy Riddell



After Jack’s disappearance Flick discovers a tiny golden key left by her brother with a message mentioning an ‘SF’. As Flick follows the clues first to try and identify the mysterious SF and subsequently to find her missing brother she forms new friendships, is brought closer to a family member and learns much about the brother she thought she knew so well. Alongside her quest Flick is also writing her own mystery story at school and learning of the secret treasures from long ago in ancient Peru and these combine in a book that has strong themes of family, love and friendship.

This is such a clever and thoughtful book. I enjoyed trying to unravel the clues alongside Flick who is an immensely likeable character. The family relationships are depicted with warmth and understanding and these are good, kind people who may sometimes get things wrong. There are lessons here to be learned on the danger of making assumptions, of not allowing children the freedom to follow their own paths and passing judgement without truly knowing the people we are dealing with. Ewa Jozefkowicz‘s writing is filled with an understanding that encourages you to empathise with each of the characters. This would be a fabulous book to prompt discussion and I can see this working well with and being enjoyed by readers from Year 6 upwards.

If we have learned anything at all from 2020 it is not to take things for granted. Most especially not the people who matter to us the most. This is a mystery story with a difference. I loved the gradual development of the separate stories within the story and how they merged to create a whole that encourages the reader to think about the way in which we are connected to one another. Each life in a family and in a community touches others in ways that may not be immediately apparent as we rush around in a state of busyness. Acts of kindness may have lasting effects and create a web of unexpected events. Ewa Jozefkowicz has captured this beautifully.

I should like to thank Fritha Lindqvist and Zephyr Books for kindly providing my review copy.

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Super Readable Books For Children

Posted on September 1, 2020 by alibrarylady

In her helpful guide to nurturing readers, The Book Whisperer, teacher Donalyn Miller prefers the term ‘dormant readers’ to the more widely used ‘reluctant readers’ arguing that these are children who have not yet found the right book to hook them into the reading habit. Barrington Stoke have for more than twenty years been working to help these dormant readers find that special book. Their editing process ensures that the books they publish are more accessible, presented in a special super readable font and on cream paper to reduce glare. But they know that what really hooks children is a good story. These two books, published on 3rd September, although different in themes and content are both good stories that will encourage more children to see that reading for pleasure is for them too.

Noodle the Doodle by Jonathan Meres illustrated by Katy Halford

As a school librarian I was frequently asked by children to show them where they could find ‘the funny books’ and Noodle the Doodle would definitely be on the funny shelf. This has huge child appeal. Jonathan Meres has brought a typical primary school classroom to life in this happy story and there is a great deal in this adventure that would be reassuringly familiar to young readers.

When Mr Reed tells the children that they have a new member of the class starting that day none of them expected him to have four legs, a noisy bark and a shaggy coat! However Noodle the dog quickly makes himself at home, listening when the children read him stories and ‘helping’ to deliver messages to other classes. When the class go on their trip to the seaside of course Noodle must go with them, even if this may have more chaotic results than anyone expected.

Jonathan Meres has taken care to ensure that young readers will find someone with whom to identify in this story. The class is made up various diverse types such as the little girl with all the answers and an impressive general knowledge, the class clown who wants to make his friends laugh, the shy child who gains confidence reading aloud to Noodle and, importantly, a boy who worries and is wary of dogs. The teacher is kind and comforting and all the mayhem is resolved in a happy ending that leaves the way clear for there to be more adventures with Noodle. A really lovely story to recommend to newly independent young readers exploring their personal reading tastes, with entertaining illustrations by Katy Halford completing the appealing package. There is a downloadable Doodle activity sheet available here.

The House of Clouds by Lisa Thompson with illustrations by Alice McKinley

Lisa Thompson’s ability to both capture and carefully convey children’s emotions is displayed in this thoughtful and tender story about family relationships and coping with loss. A tale in which love, friendship and the magical power of imagination are brought together to comfort, reassure and also to encourage us all to stop and take notice of what really matters.

As this story opens Tabby is unhappy. Her best friend has abandoned her and since Grandad has come to live with her family their home life has been disrupted. All the changes made to accommodate an elderly person result in Tabby no longer feeling comfortable in her own home. She struggles with Grandad repeating the same old stories and does not really believe all of them. Worst of all she has to take Grandad’s smelly dog for a walk each day after school. Yet an unplanned visit to a mysterious, old house whilst walking Grandad’s dog followed by tragedy changes Tabby’s views.

This is a lovely story leaving the reader with much to think about. It is an important reminder to cherish those we love, to savour every minute, focus on the world around you rather than the artificial one on social media and to value true friendship. Yet again with these novellas published by Barrington Stoke short in length does not mean brief in impact. Despite dealing with themes of grief and sadness this is not a depressing read for children. Far from it in fact, it highlights the power of friendship and love to make things better and also the possibility that magic does exist if you can learn to trust your imagination.

Thank you very much to Kirstin Lamb and Barrington Stoke for providing my review copies. More excellent books have been produced by this publisher over the summer and a couple that you may have missed are After the War by Tom Palmer and Sequin and Stitch by Laura Dockrill illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and I would highly recommend both of them.

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Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights: a retelling by Tanya Landman

Posted on August 25, 2020 by alibrarylady

One of my favourite books as a teen was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, a book that caught my imagination and lingered in my memory for years. As an adult I read and enjoyed The Tennant of Wildfell Hall by her sister Anne. However despite several attempts the work for which their sister Emily is renowned has never had the same effect on me. This is in truth an understatement, and now is probably the time to confess that I actively disliked the leading characters and have never managed to finish reading the book. My relationship with Wuthering Heights goes back a long way. I’m of the age to remember the Monty Python sketch in which Heathcliff and Cathy communicate by semaphore across the Yorkshire Moors. No wonder I struggled when this prompted my first attempt at reading this classic! Fast forward a couple of years and Kate Bush gave the book a whole new appeal so older and hopefully a little wiser I had a second attempt. Although more successful I still found the Yorkshire dialect and the complex plot unappealing and started to wonder what I was missing. Over the years TV adaptations and a guilty conscience have encouraged me to try and engage with this highly rated classic and I simply couldn’t. I had admitted defeat.

However Barrington Stoke and Carnegie Award winning author Tanya Landman have come to my rescue. Earlier this year the publication by this brilliant team of a retelling of Jane Eyre captured what made that particular book special for me and made it accessible to a wider audience. I enjoyed that version immensely. Could they make this reluctant reader finally understand the appeal of this classic beloved by so many? The short answer is, yes. Let me explain how.

Firstly it is, I think, a stroke of genius to retell the story from Cathy’s point of view. She is a complicated character, as a child unmanageable and wild and as a young adult selfish and at times unkind, even cruel, so allowing the reader to observe and experience events through her eyes is enlightening. Heathcliff is not a conventional romantic hero by any means; his desire for revenge coupled with Catherine’s self absorbed wilfulness is crucial to the plot. Possibly this is why I struggled with the book when I was young as I mistakenly expected a romantic novel when in fact it is a tragedy. Tanya Landman’s powerful retelling captures all the drama, passion and conflict so well. In the opening chapters she conveys how much the wildness of the Yorkshire Moors means to the young Catherine. The child loves nature and feels at one with the landscape she inhabits and unhappily constricted when she is confined to the home. Cathy’s wild ways put her at odds with those around her but encourage the bond which rapidly develops with the young orphaned Heathcliff when he is brought home by her father.

As the story progresses and the conflict between family members and others grows the sense of claustrophobia and impending doom loom ever larger. The story has lost none of its darkness in Tanya Landman’s shortened version but is made more understandable and accessible. The bond between the two troubled characters is depicted with care showing how Catherine and Heathcliff are almost like twins in their thoughts and attitudes. There can be no happy ending for this couple and the reader accompanies them through their harsh childhood, foolish marriages and pain.

I was impressed at how Tanya Landman managed to retain the overall tone of this dark tale and yet still ensure that young readers are able to engage with the story. I can imagine this would encourage discussion about the motivation of key characters and provide an opening to the novel itself for some. This would be an invaluable book for secondary schools and will, I am sure, bring this novel to a wider readership. It definitely worked for this sceptical reader!

Published on 6th August and as with all Barrington Stoke books presented in a dyslexia friendly format this book would be excellent for reluctant readers and for more confident readers looking for a quicker read. With content suitable for teens this book has a reading age of 9.

I should like to thank Kirstin Lamb and Barrington Stoke for providing my review copy.

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Brilliant New Children’s Books – illustrated young fiction and middle grade adventure

Posted on August 17, 2020 by alibrarylady

Over the last few weeks several new books have been published for children including some that were delayed due to the pandemic and I would like to share just three of them. Children overcoming fears, making friends, having adventures, magic, humour, dragons, space and rainforest exploration ensures that there is something here for all tastes and every one of these should be popular in primary school libraries and classrooms.

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Space by Katie and Kevin Tsang illustrated by Nathan Reed

This is the last in the series featuring Sam Wu, a likeable if slightly unlikely hero, and no doubt young readers will be sad to say goodbye. This is a fast paced and funny story yet with a reassuring and thoughtful theme of making friendships work in difficult circumstances.

It is the summer holidays and Sam is given the chance to go to Space Camp with his friends and as a huge fan of the TV series Space Blasters Sam has never been more excited. He is desperate for his friends to enjoy it too and would love to work together with them to win the Space Challenge Trophy. However to do this Sam has to conquer his fears and cope with others who may be reluctant team players which may be an even bigger challenge.

This entertaining series tackles common childhood fears and this final instalment would be reassuring for children who may have misgivings about being away from home on residential school trips. There is a lot of fun in this adventure but an insightful look at children’s friendships too. I particularly liked how Sam was depicted as a kind, considerate team leader and as a character he has developed a braver attitude which may inspire youngsters. There is a positive message of the value of tolerance and learning to work as a team running through the story. However children very quickly recognise a preaching tone and in my experience avoid books that adopt one, thankfully Katie and Kevin Tsang have brilliantly avoided this and the story is great fun whilst still containing a valuable life lesson. 

The engaging format of this book with its use of illustrations, graphics, differing fonts and amusing footnotes makes this an attractive read for children moving on to slightly longer independent reads; wonderful for readers who may find pages of dense text a little daunting. A jolly read but containing a great deal of warmth and understanding too

The Boy Who Dreamed of Dragons by Andy Shepherd illustrations by Sara Ogilvie

We may have thought that this delightful series ended with The Boy who Flew with Dragons but happily we were wrong. Tomas is back and so are the dragons. However the dragons have now grown and Flicker, Tomas’s beloved dragon, is living far away in the frozen North and only visits occasionally, which Tomas finds hard. However dragons are never far away and soon a new baby dragon hatches from Grandad’s dragonfruit tree at the bottom of the garden. Zing is tiny with very large wings and, like the other dragons, rather antisocial toilet habits and very soon, as regular readers may anticipate, magic and mayhem ensues.

However there is a subtle difference in this fourth instalment as we enter a time of change for Tomas and his friends. A new girl, Aura, starts at their school and immediately announces that she is a dragon expert which results in Tomas feeling both confused and a little threatened. However before long the two children are united by their shared interest and find themselves caught up in a new adventure together. 

This story is just as charming and amusing as the previous books and I enjoyed the tantalising hints at what the future may hold for Tomas and Aura. The family relationships and childhood friendships are depicted so well and I particularly like the close bond between Tomas and his little sister Lolli. Told with warmth and kindness this is a lovely adventure full of friendship, magic and secrets and the lovely illustrations by Sara Ogilvie capture this perfectly.  If you haven’t already read any of Tomas’s adventures you may like to try The Boy Who Grew Dragons  which is the first in the series. More good news is that there is another adventure due to be published in 2021! There are some fabulous resources linked to the books on Andy Shepherd’s website.

My Name is River by Emma Rea

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Perfect for young readers who enjoy adventure stories this exciting read also has a strong ecological theme running through its engrossing plot.

Dylan has dreams for the future. Perhaps they are simple dreams but they matter greatly to him; all he wants is to spend time with his friends in the Welsh countryside and grow up to follow in his father’s footsteps on the family farm. Then all his ideas and plans are swept away by a global pharmaceutical company who want to purchase the family farm. Dylan resolves to stop them and save the farm he loves so much. Together with his new friend Floyd Dylan sets off to put things right but his journey will take him to the Amazonian rainforest and dangers that he never anticipated. 

With short chapters, a swiftly moving plot and a likeable protagonist I think this will be popular with a wide readership. Emma Rea writes convincingly and her research of the settings shows in the descriptions of Salvador and the rainforest itself with these settings brought vividly to life.  Lucia, the street child who comes to Dylan’s rescue, is a wonderful character. Brave, compassionate and with a delightful turn of phrase thanks to learning English through a pocket thesaurus she and the more reserved Dylan form an unlikely but strong bond. A villain who in the best tradition of children’s books will have readers desperate for their demise and many thrilling moments add to the enjoyment.

In addition to being a great adventure My Name is River would be a perfect book to study in the classroom linking to many important themes such as preservation of our environment, animal testing in science and medicine and our global connections. A children’s book with similar themes to Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson and The Explorer by Katherine Rundell and highly recommended.

I should like to thank Fritha Lindqvist, Egmont, Piccadilly Press and Firefly Press for providing my review copies.

Continue reading →
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After the War Auschwitz to Ambleside: Q & A with author Tom Palmer

Posted on August 7, 2020 by alibrarylady

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As soon as I read After the War by Tom Palmer I knew that it would be one of my top children’s books of the year. It was inspired by the three hundred child concentration camp survivors who came to the Lake District in the summer of 1945 for ‘recuperation’. The story is told through the eyes of a Polish boy named Yossi, who, with his two friends Leo and Mordecai, has survived the horrors of the camps to find himself in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Windermere where it is hoped they can begin to recover. An important story told with compassion and respect, it is immensely  moving and leaves you needing to sit quietly and think about its impact.

It must be daunting to take on the challenge of making the subject of the Holocaust appropriate and understandable for children but Tom Palmer has made it work. In addition to portraying the aftermath of life in the concentration camps he also provides the background to the boys’ lives before the war and this creates a sense of them as people who were part of a supportive community where tradition, religion and family were important. They become real people to the reader and not nameless victims. He also portrays hope for their futures and the way in which they may be able to thrive in a new country helped by the kindness and support of others. There is relevance here to many situations in which we find ourselves in the world today. Many days after I read it the story of those boys, and their families, has stayed with me. The book was published this week and you can read my full review here. I think those who read it will not forget it. 

Barrington Stoke, the publishers of this beautiful book, offered me the opportunity to ask Tom Palmer some questions about After the War, its inspiration and the writing process and I am delighted to share his interesting and thoughtful replies here.

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Photo: Barrington Stoke Publishers

The subject matter of After the War is both important and challenging and you have successfully managed to convey this within a storyline that is appropriate and engaging for contemporary young readers. Did you know from the outset how you planned to approach the content or did the story evolve from your research? 

First of all, thanks for saying that. That’s what I was trying to achieve, so I am glad you think it works okay.

The answer is I knew 100% that After the War had to be based on primary sources. I began with the audio recordings of the Windermere Boys – 300 children who came to the Lake District from the concentration camps in 1945 – on the Lake District Holocaust Project website. It had to start there. I was told by people who have worked in Holocaust education that you must be entirely faithful to the true events. There is no need to make anything up, no need to embellish, anyway. So I listened to hours of recordings and then read the books written about and by the Boys. Then it was just a decision as which of the true stories to work with, with the guidance of my editor at Barrington Stoke and the Lake District Holocaust Project. You can listen to the Boys’ interviews at http://ldhp.org.uk/?page_id=507.

Despite having spent many happy childhood holidays besides Lake Windermere and having family connections I knew nothing of the Windermere Boys. Why do you think they have only received attention in the last few years? How did you learn about them?

My wife heard about them on Radio 4’s Open Country (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000xrc). Then we checked out the From Auschwitz to Ambleside exhibition at Windermere Library, then I met Trevor Avery, who led the team that put the exhibition together. He has great relationships with the surviving Boys’ and their families. He joins the survivors in schools to pass the story on. He was crucial to the film The Windermere Children coming out earlier in 2020. But all this work has really only happened in the last 10 years.

Gradually I built up what I needed. I also travelled to Auschwitz, then Theresienstadt, the camp where the Boys were liberated from. On a lighter note, to reach the part of the shoreline where the Boys would have played and swum, I had to canoe down from Ambleside to reach that. And I also took part in an archaeological dig on the site in July 2019.

You consulted primary school children at one point when writing the book and shared the story with them. Did this result in you making any changes and if so what type of alterations did you think necessary?

Hugely. I took a late-ish draft of After the War to Grasmere Primary, one of the nearest primary schools to site. The main point they made was that they did not want to be over-distracted by the drama of the events or their emotional impact on the readers: they wanted the facts. They wanted to know what the children’s lives were like before the Holocaust, what happened to the children during the Holocaust and what happened after they came to England. I remember the look on their faces when they said all this to me. It will stay with me forever. Yes, we like the story, but we want to know the facts, to understand the why, the what, the how. So I went through the book and rewrote several sections to make sure I was being clear and not being manipulative.

This is your 50th book. What an achievement! In what ways do you think children’s publishing has changed since your first book? Do you think that your writing style has changed too? 

I think children’s publishing is far more decentralised and therefore more child-friendly. A lot of that is down to libraries, booksellers and bloggers, including the likes of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups acting as a two-way conduit between publishers and readers.

Authors are much more in touch with the children’s book world (and mightily grateful to them) and their readers through these channels. Also, I think there is a flourishing of smaller publishers excelling. Look at Barrington Stoke winning the Carnegie with Lark. It feels more bottom-up then top-down.

I’m not sure that my style has changed. To be honest, I don’t know. It probably has. The big deal for me has been confidence. The more confident I have become the more I dare take on bigger subjects. I would never have dared writing from the point of view of soldiers in the trenches or Holocaust survivors at the beginning of my writing career. Now I do dare, so long as I have the expertise of others to guide me. But the main reason I think my recent books – Armistice Runner, D-Day Dog – have done pretty well is because of the quality of editing I get from Ailsa Bathgate.

In After the War and your previous books connected with WW1 and WW2 it is obvious that you have carried out an enormous amount of research. Have you always had an interest in history or has this developed alongside your writing? 

To be honest – as I’ve already alluded to – I would never have dared write about history before. I thought you had to be a historian or something that I wasn’t to do so. Then – with the help of another writer and the fact the book was about footballer – I wrote Over the Line. Then I realised that – so long as you do your research as in-depth as you can – you draw the confidence from that. That and enjoying reading history fiction, notably Rosemary Sutcliff and Bernard Cornwell. Gradually I built up confidence.

There are loads of free resources relating to After the War at www.tompalmer.co.uk/after-the-war.

What type of book do you hope to write next and do you have an ideas or plans you can share with your eager readers? 

I am writing a story about the Second World War Arctic Convoys with Barrington Stoke at the moment. It features HMS Belfast and the Imperial War Museum is giving me lots of help with that. That might be called At Sea and should be out in May 2021. As well as that I have been commissioned to write books 7 and 8 of the Roy of the Rovers series by Rebellion. Then there’s this other idea that I have, but I have to stop thinking about that for now and get on with the jobs I have been asked to do!

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Thank you very much Tom for taking the time to provide such full, interesting and detailed replies to my questions. I have learned a great deal and have found following up the links you provided fascinating too.

After the War is a remarkable and rather special book and I would urge others to read it if you can. Sometimes books really do matter and I think that this one does. 

 

 

 

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New Picture Books – stories to put smiles on faces

Posted on August 5, 2020 by alibrarylady

There is a flurry of activity in the world of children’s books at the moment with several books being published this week and among the range of titles are these two picture books. They made me smile and I think they will make children smile too.


Albert Talbot Master of Disguise by Ben Manley and Aurelie Guillerey

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The world can be a daunting place when you are very young, especially if you are a bit of a worrier.  The school day is full of opportunities for young Albert to worry; what will he say at Show and Tell, will he stay afloat in the swimming lesson?  Perhaps it would be easier if he were someone else. Albert decides to pretend that he is not Albert, a slightly anxious, small boy but instead he is a dangerous desperado, an intrepid explorer and even a galactic superhero. Suddenly things become a lot easier for him.

This lovely celebration of the power of the imagination will reassure small children, particularly as the variety of experiences depicted are situations which they frequently encounter. The story is told with kindness and with a great deal of humour. The names of Albert’s alter egos are a delight. Swimming lessons take on a different feel when your name is Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner and who can possibly resist your Show and Tell presentation when you are in fact Professor Ocatavius Pickleswick, Mechanical Engineer? This would be brilliant to read aloud. The wonderful, bright and colourful illustrations by Aurelie Guillery are packed with detail and include helpful labels and entertaining additions.

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As Albert’s interesting day draws to its close he has discovered the joy that can be found through imagination but also the comfort in being yourself too. A lovely, happy picture book. Oh and Ben Manley tells me that my name is no longer Anne, it is in fact Birta Ungerpup, Professional Waffle Ironer. That made me smile too!

The Teeny Weeny Genie by Julia Donaldson and Anna Currey 

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This is an entertaining picture book based on the familiar rhyme, Old Macdonald had a Farm and told with a magical twist. The farmer, Old Macdonald himself, is clearing out the farmhouse when he comes across an old, dusty teapot. Inside the teapot is a genie who is now disturbed from his peaceful slumbers by the farmer rubbing the teapot clean. Before long the the genie finds himself granting the farmer’s wishes, all his wishes. The resulting chaos proves too much for the poor genie who is desperate to escape but is unable to work magic for his own benefit. Thankfully the little genie is not the only genie disturbed by the racket and perhaps genie number two can save the day.

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The classic, watercolour style illustrations by Anna Currey complement the text and add to the overall traditional feel of this jolly picture book. This also would be lovely to read aloud and the story encourages involvement by very young listeners with noises to copy and actions to imitate. Quite possibly resulting in a story time as noisy as the farmyard! The Teeny Weeny Genie does contain a message about being careful what you wish for and the ending allows young readers to give some thought to what they would wish for given the opportunity.

Thank you to Two Hoots, MacMillan Children’s Books and Clare Hall-Craggs for providing by review copies. Both books are published on 6th August and can be purchased at all good bookshops. You can search for your nearest independent bookshop here.





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Sequin and Stitch by Laura Dockrill illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

Posted on August 3, 2020 by alibrarylady

Laura Dockrill’s debut for Barrington Stoke weaves together family, loss and hope in a story that is both poignant and striking in its portrayal of our society. This is a touching and imaginative tale with love at its centre.

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Nine year old Sequin’s mum is a talented seamstress who works all day and most of the night on beautiful designer dresses for famous people. Their tiny twelfth floor flat is bursting with colourful fabrics, sumptuous silks, buttons and twinkling beads. Sequin loves it there, it feels like a haven. While her mum works Sequin looks after her baby brother, Stitch and dreams that one day her mum will get the recognition she deserves. It is the designers whose names appear in the magazine articles and next to the glossy photos. Although her mum appears resigned to this Sequin believes it should be her talented mum who receives the accolades. To make things worse when Sequin chooses her mum as her ‘inspirational person’ in a school presentation her classmates do not believe her descriptions and accuse her of lying. Unkind children tease Sequin about her mum who never leaves the flat and although Sequin is quick to deny the accusations and defend the mother she loves very much she is hiding her own fears and anxiety.

Laura Dockrill’s writing is fresh and accessible and with Sequin as an engaging narrator this is a story that children will find both relatable and thought provoking. The author has explained how this story was prompted by the Grenfell tragedy and yet here she dwells not on the loss and the grief but on the sense of community, the resilience of children and the feeling of hope for the future. At less than 100 pages this is a short read but nonetheless it is one with considerable impact. Subjects such as mental health, bullying and grief are important elements of the story but are approached with care and in a suitable manner for the intended audience. The plot and the subtleties of the characters are revealed by degrees in a well executed storyline culminating in a satisfying ending.

Laura Dockrill has drawn on her own childhood experience for some of Sequin’s world and the description of her home clearly shows for this as the setting comes to life in the writing. There are some lovely touches in the depiction of characters such as the young fashion designers and Sequin’s neighbour who all feel true to life.

Despite the subject matter and the link to a dreadful national tragedy this is a story full of kindness, love and hope. We often cite the importance of books as a means of encouraging empathy in children and this book and its thoughtful message is evidence of how they are able to do this. A highly recommended read. This book has a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock so that even more readers can enjoy it. It has been edited to a reading age of 8.

I would like to thank Kirstin Lamb and Barrington Stoke publishers for providing my review copy.

Barrington Stoke have published a number of books dealing with serious themes and you may like to look at It’s a No-Money Day written and illustrated by Kate Milner a picture book about a family using a food bank or Owen and the Soldier by Lisa Thompson another kind story looking at grief and anxiety.





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After the War by Tom Palmer

Posted on July 30, 2020 by alibrarylady

In recent years Tom Palmer has written historical fiction for children that has focussed on events that took place during the two world wars. Both Armistice Runner and D-Day Dog are books that are enjoyed by young readers and also enable them to understand and empathise with people and situations outside their own experience.  In After the War he takes the most challenging subject matter and with thoughtful care and respect makes it accessible to children.  This is an incredibly powerful book telling an unforgettable and important story.

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Cover: Violet Tobacco 

After the War was inspired by the three hundred child concentration camp survivors who came to the Lake District in the summer of 1945 for ‘recuperation’.  The story is told through the eyes of a Polish boy named Yossi, who, with his two friends Leo and Mordecai, has survived the horrors of the camps to find himself in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Windermere where it is hoped they can begin to recover. They are shown kindness and care by those looking after them on the Calgarth estate and the local people. At first the children struggle with both their surroundings and the contrast with their recent traumas. Gradually Yossi’s initial fears subside and he and his friends learn to trust the adults they now live with and Yossi grows healthier and stronger. Yet Yossi is haunted by terrible nightmares prompted by memories of his wartime experiences and troubled by constant thoughts of his missing father. Each day he waits anxiously for news and wonders what the future holds for him, Leo and Mordecai. The boys desperately need to feel that they belong and that they have a future that will be free from fear.

This book is immensely moving; I had to stop reading at several points and collect my thoughts.  The story leaves you needing to sit quietly and think about its impact. Tom Palmer has created in Yossi a boy who readers will relate to and understand. He has managed to convey the important fact that these boys, these children, are no different in essence to the young people reading the story seventy five years later. There are points in the story where small touches capture what matters to children and will bring home to today’s readers that these boys have so much in common with them. Events such as when Yossi is forced to hand over his beloved bicycle to the German authorities, the misunderstanding about unfamiliar food in England and the way smells evoke memories from long ago all contribute to making this feel relatable to today’s children. Tom Palmer uses Yossi’s memories to tell the story of the appalling events that he and others witnessed and experienced and the contrast between his earlier life and his current situation is stark.

To be able to write about this subject in a manner that does not diminish the horror but also conveys the story in an appropriate way for the intended audience takes skill and understanding. Tom Palmer has honoured the memory of these children and those who died whilst still creating a story that will engage young readers. As with all Barrington Stoke titles After the War is presented in an accessible format,  with a typeface suitable for dyslexic readers making it appealing to a wide readership. The more simplified use of language does in some ways I think add to the impact.

It is important to stress that this is a book full of hope and ultimately of love. The value of close friendship that can be, at times, almost akin to a family relationship is highlighted and we are reminded of the importance of loyalty, resilience and trust. Despite the events of the past which these courageous boys have endured the reader turns the final page with an optimism for their future and the knowledge that there is goodness to be found if we look for it. This is a beautiful book. Beautiful, powerful and important. Anyone who reads it will not forget it.

Thank you Tom Palmer and Barrington Stoke.

After the War was published on 6th August and can be purchased at all good bookshops or at online independent bookshop Bear Hunt Books

You can watch a trailer for the book below:

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Freedom We Sing by Amyra Leon and Molly Menoza

Posted on July 24, 2020 by alibrarylady

Visually stunning this picture book is a poem, a song, a rallying cry of hope and belief. Vibrant and uplifting it is full of joy and optimism, this would be a wonderful addition to school and library bookshelves and a beautiful picture book to share at home.

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I wonder, then, what freedom is. Is it a place? Is it a thought? Can it be stolen? Can it be bought?

This is both beautiful and powerful. Freedom, We Sing is a lyrical picture book designed to inspire and give hope to readers around the world. A mother and child share a conversation about the earth, its inhabitants and what freedom means to each and everyone of us. They talk about life, love and family in this poetic and diverse look at humanity. The stunning, vibrant illustrations by Molly Mendoza are eye catching and inviting, as soon as you see the cover you are tempted to discover more. The lyrical and emotive text begs to be read aloud. That Amyra León who wrote this book is a musician is not a surprise as the text flows and soars and the repeated refrain, “Inhale, exhale” is both calming and uplifting. A book that confirms and celebrates everyone’s right to be free; the joyous fold out double page spread towards the end of the book invites the reader to join in with the celebration. I can see this being a fabulous book to use in school assemblies or as part of a classroom session on human rights. The text invites the reader to answer questions about the meaning of freedom and to observe the differences and more importantly the similarities in people of different races, beliefs and circumstances. It builds to a joyous climax of hope that leaves the reader feeling part of something special. 

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A book to empower and start conversations, Freedom We Sing has been endorsed by Amnesty International for reminding us that we are all born equal.

There is a fascinating, thoughtful interview with Amyra León and Molly Mendoza on the We Need Diverse Books website which provides an insight into the creative process and the importance of books to engage and empower children and nurture their curiosity.

Thank you to Flying Eye Books for providing my copy. Freedom, We Sing was published on 1st July and is available to buy at all good bookshops, you can search for your nearest independent bookshop here or purchase the book online here.


If this book appeals you may also enjoy Child of Galaxies by Blake Nuto and Charlotte Ager another lovely picture book that explores our place in the world and how we are connected to each other. Here We Are – Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers is a thoughtful guide to our world and is an inclusive and thoughtful picturebook. 



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