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

Posted on June 27, 2020 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to another look at some of the latest news from the world of children’s books. It has been another busy week with awards, comment, resources and ideas linked to children’s literature circulating online.

What I’m reading…

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On my list of books to read as part of the 20 Books of Summer 2020 challenge was The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon which had, to my shame, languished on my shelves for over ten years. Following the author’s untimely death earlier this month and the many articles about his life and work I moved it to the top of my list.  Now a little over half way through I am savouring the city of Barcelona, the streets, the antiquarian bookshops and the interconnecting lives of the fascinating characters who live there. The secrets and the intrigue is engrossing. Also, the opening contains the most beautiful description of the power of books that I have read for ages.

“Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.”

Turning back to children’s books I have relished the fabulous picture books that I have read so far this year and hope to post about my favourites in the coming days.

News and resources…

Novelist Philip Pullman and dramatist Madeleine Perham, In Conversation with Nicolette Jones   Live with audience Q&A – today, this afternoon at 4pm Anyone can go, virtually, to St Hilda’s College Garden Party on Saturday, the event is free but registration is required. This sounds like an unmissable treat for Pullman fans.

Teresa Cremin: Sharing the Love of Poetry – this article by Teresa Cremin highlights the pleasure children and young people can find in the verbal play and sounds of poetry. There are also some fabulous invitations to share a love of poetry that can be used in school or at home.

Free Poetry Ideas from the Reading Realm – still on the poetry theme, this free resource is being constantly updated and includes poetry starters and creative ideas to get children enjoying and writing poetry provided by children’s poets.

The Illustrators: Dick Bruna – I love this article by school librarian Melanie McGilloway celebrating the 65th birthday of Miffy, and providing a fascinating insight into the life and work of the creator of this much loved picturebook character.

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Nosy Crow announces upcoming picture book from Patrice Lawrence – Nosy Crow this week announced the acquisition of a timely and important picture book from author Patrice Lawrence called Granny Came to England on the Empire Windrush. The book will be published in hardback and paperback in May 2022, to tie in with events for National Windrush Day in June 2022.

The Little Angel Theatre: Don’t Worry Little Crab– if you enjoyed the wonderful versions of Jon Klassen’s ‘hat books’ then this puppet-filled version of Chris Haughton’s ‘Don’t Worry, Little Crab’ will be sure to appeal. Produced by Folded Feather, in association with Little Angel Theatre. There is a link to donate to the theatre via the description beneath the video.

INTRODUCING: Take Flight Hub – Launching on Tuesday 30 June and working with some of the country’s leading novelists, poets, playwrights, literary agents and publishers of colour, the programme aims to inspire the next generation of new voices in UK publishing. Those involved include Patrice Lawrence, Darren Chetty and Chitra Soundar.

500 Words: Black Lives Matter – the popular writing competition for children is back. The organisers want to bring children’s voices onto the themes and issues emerging from the Black Lives Matter movement. The competition will run from  29th June until 3rd July.

Bookstart founder and children’s books pioneer Wendy Cooling dies – this is very sad news. Wendy Cooling was a remarkable person who did so much to help children – her legacy is huge. There is a touching tribute to her on the Nosy Crow website.

School Librarians empower thriving schools – this is an important read which needs to be shared widely. Nick Poole, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), and the CILIP School Libraries Group have created this briefing note for Head Teachers, Senior Leaders and Governors about the amazing difference a school librarian can make to teaching, learning and the whole school community!

WRD About Books Magazine – I have found that this magazine has been a huge success in both the school library and classroom enjoyed by pupils and teachers alike. This week I noticed that individual subscriptions are available and although I try to concentrate on free resources I would highly recommend this. It is a fantastic source of information on new books with extracts, reviews and competitions. Definitely worth a look!

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Just Imagine Updated Website – this is a treasure trove of  helpful and knowledgeable advice including quick book guides to titles such as The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan, Mirror by Jeanne Baker and Tuesday by David Wiesner, articles, writing starters and book related thoughts and ideas.

Winner  of The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2020 Announced – King Coo: The Curse of the Mummy’s Gold by Adam Stower has won The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2020. Run by the Bright Agency and The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop, this children’s book prize celebrates the best books for 6-8-year-olds. This is the second year of the award which champions highly illustrated fiction.

Interview with Art Director Nghiem Ta of Walker Books – Nghiem worked with Shaun Tan, on Tales from the Inner City the 2020 winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal and discusses her expertise and experience with Jake Hope for the CILIP Youth Libraries Group.

Indie Book Awards 2020 – Chosen by a judging panel of independent booksellers, authors and industry influencers, the awards celebrate the best books in paperbacks to read this summer. The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson and Don’t Worry Little Crab by Chris Haughton won the children’s fiction and the picturebook categories.

How to write stories with children, and why it matters – Matt Blake talks to authors Darren Chetty, Nathan Bryon and Robin Stevens about how parents can help children write their stories. Teachers will also find this article of interest.

Representation for all – diverse books for children – at the time of writing there are still tickets available for this SLA webinar. Smriti Halls will guide attendees through some of the books she’s authored and some of her favourites. Then, Barbara Band will lead a training session exploring why now, more than ever, it is important for every child to be offered a diverse and inclusive collection. This webinar is aimed at primary and secondary library staff and teachers. 

Finally some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

 National Shelf Service – if you haven’t yet caught up with this initiative from CILIP it is a wonderful source of book recommendations. Videos of librarians reviewing their favourite books for a wide age range ensure there is something here for everyone. You can also explore the books recommended on Nielsen Book’s  Book2Look wall here. 

The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott – I love reviews that both give an idea of a book’s possible audience and a taste of the book itself and  Laura Ovenden’s review for Just Imagine of this new historical novel does this beautifully. In summary, “a perfect Y7 class novel, providing rich historical knowledge of the period while opening up the potential for fascinating discussions around identity, gender roles and language.”

While We Can’t Hug – Eoin Mc Laughlin & Polly Dunbar – you may have seen the release of the online version of this lovely picture book already but now the paperback version is being published. Jo Clarke sums up its appeal in her review which was part of the blog tour launch this week.

That’s all for this week and yes, another lengthy list! It should, I hope, ensure that there is something here for you to enjoy. Have a lovely weekend and happy reading.

 

 

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

Posted on June 20, 2020 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to another look at the news from the world of children’s books over the last few days. It has been a busy week. So much so that I have resorted to a supplement to the main edition so that this blogpost did not become too overwhelming. Rather like a colour supplement in a weekend newspaper! Anyway, I hope that this helps and you find something that entertains or interests you this week.

What I’m reading…

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As part of the 20 Books of Summer 20 Challenge I am straying away from fiction for children and teens. However I did not stray very far from my comfort zone; a book featuring a librarian and the discovery of a special book tempted me and you can find out more in my review of The Library of the Lost and Found.  Following the announcement of the winners of this year’s Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals, more of which below, I reread Lark by Anthony McGowan. It was just as stunning, powerful and moving as I remembered it. I urge you to read it if you have not already done so. This review of the quartet of stories ,of which Lark is the last, which I wrote last year will give you a taste.

Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Winners Announced 

This was the big children’s news story of the week so I have collected a range of items linked to the award itself and the winning author and illustrator in a Reading Matters supplement here for you to browse at leisure.

News and resources…

CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Winners 2020 – the official announcement on the award website highlights the fact that “Two ‘extraordinary’ books exploring survival and our relationship with nature through short stories win UK’s most prestigious book awards for children and young people”.

The Reading Agency: Pride Book List for Children and Young People – June is Pride Month and the Reading Agency have created a list of LGBTQ+ positive books. These books highlight family dynamics and stories to help children and teens develop the values of acceptance and kindness towards themselves and others, regardless of identity.

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Picture books that celebrate LGBT families – because it can sometimes be hard to find picture books which reflect different family set-ups BookTrust have  put together a list of lovely titles featuring LGBT+ families.

Bobby Seagull: ‘Libraries have a central role to play in a post-Covid world’ – I love this article, brimming with positivity, in The Big Issue about the pivotal role libraries will play in social justice when we rebuild after the crisis.

Up and Up! and the art of the wordless graphic picturebook – following on from Mat Tobin’s wonderful webinar last week this is the article by Melanie McGilloway from 2017 which he referenced. It’s a fascinating and enlightening read.

Tomorrow written and illustrated by Nadine Kaadan: resources– teacher Ian Eagleton of the Reading Realm has created a comprehensive teacher resource for this stunning picture book about a courageous little boy growing up in a time of conflict. The resources plus videos are available on the Lantana Publishing website on the link above.

Diapers and Mailboxes: Busting myths about children’s literature in translation – a thought provoking article by Mohini Gupta discussing ‘ the Children’s Literature in Translation’ session with Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Lawrence Schimel and Daniel Hahn which was part of the ‘Translating the Future’ series. A video of the discussion can be seen here.

Spellbound: guiding you through the magic of children’s books – Spellbound is a podcast hosted by Melissa Thom that explores books for early years, right the way through to young adult readers. This particular episode features books for children aged 7 – 9 and ties in perfectly with this week’s #OURfPBookBlether chat. However the links to the previous episodes sound equally appealing.

Herts Primary English teaching & learning resources for KS1 & KS2: weekly digest Vol 9 – each week this compilation of teaching ideas, resources and recommendations contains items useful for librarians and parents in addition to teachers. I was delighted to see the picturebook Here I am and the newspaper The Week Junior both feature in this edition having used them successfully in the school library.  A must read each week.

Ed Vere on the Power of Pictures– BookTrust’s Illustrator in Residence, Ed Vere, is passionate about the power of art and drawing in aiding children’s development. He talks about his involvement with the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) in getting children drawing.

The Dilemma of Dahl: to ditch or defend – Just Imagine free webinar in association with Dahl specialist Dr. Ann Alston. Whether you love teaching Dahl or not, this webinar will invite you to think afresh about his place in the classroom.

Children’s books website ReadingZone launches online bookclub– The ReadingZone Bookclub will run on YouTube, with author videos, book trailers, children’s and teenagers’ book reviews and recommendations from specialists. The bookclub will give particular focus to supporting debut and BAME authors and illustrators. Thank you to the School Library Association for making me aware of this.

No Child’s Play: A Case for Diversity in Children’s Literature– Children need to see themselves in the books they read, they need to see images that represent their lives, celebrate their experiences and let them know that they are not alone says Shranya Gambhir in this article for The Wire.

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The English Association 2020 Shortlist Announced – the shortlist for the 2020 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards was announced this week. From a record total of 333 entries 17 have been shortlisted. The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 25 November 2020.

Raising readers by Scott Evans – Scott Evans, aka The Reader Teacher, writes about the importance of creating and sustaining a positive reading culture in schools for BBC Teach.

Finally, some reviews that caught my eye this week…

Hello Now by Jenny Valentine – this outstanding review by Sam Creighton for Just Imagine has completely sold this book to me. ‘Hello Now’s greatest strength is its writing. It’s the sort of book you feel jealous reading because you know that despite having all the same words at your disposal, you will never be able to piece them together quite so beautifully.’ Wow!

Child of St Kilda by Beth Waters – this thoughtful review by Mat Tobin makes me want to both read the book and travel back in time to visit the island as it once was. “From its unique, resident wildlife to the families who lived there…Waters presents us with an island story that reads like a journal” It sounds perfect.

In My Dreams by Stef Gemmill and Tanja Stephani – a picture book for little ones which sounds beautiful. Veronica Price says ‘This would make a wonderful bedtime story; Stef Gemmill’s sentences are filled with assonance and gentle rhythm, lulling any child to whom you read this into a tranquil state.’

That’s all for this week and ‘all’ is rather a lot I know so thank you for reading and I hope you have found something helpful or enlightening among the links. Don’t forget that Independent Bookshop Week starts today. Another excuse to buy fabulous books with the added bonus of supporting small businesses. Wishing you a happy and restful weekend.



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Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Winners Announced – a Reading Matters Supplement

Posted on June 18, 2020 by alibrarylady

Regular visitors to this blog will know that each Saturday I collate a Reading Matters roundup of the children’s book news from the previous week or so. The announcement of this year’s winners of the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals is the big children’s news story of the week so I have collected a range of items linked to the award itself and the winning author and illustrator separately here for you to browse at your leisure.

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Firstly I have to confess that this year the book that I desperately wanted to win the Carnegie did just that! Lark by Anthony McGowan is a stunning, powerful and moving book. The writing, the characters and the themes combine to great effect in this thoughtful novella published by one of my favourite publishers, Barrington Stoke. A ‘reluctant’ teen reader is a reader who hasn’t found the right book yet. Lark is probably that book. Best of all as it is published by Barrington Stoke it is accessible to so many. I wrote about the series of four books telling the story of  brothers Nicky and Kenny of which Lark is the finale here.

Shaun Tan is an illustrator whose work I have admired for many years. The Arrival, I am sure, needs no introduction, a remarkable book that has much to offer both children and adults. The Lost Thing is another that I have shared with children in the school library, often prompting thoughtful discussion. Unfortunately I don’t have my own copy of Tales from the Inner City yet which I intend to correct immediately.  It is wonderful that this highly regarded author and illustrator has received this recognition.

Links to news items and interviews…

CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Winners 2020– the official announcement on the award website highlights the fact that “Two ‘extraordinary’ books exploring survival and our relationship with nature through short stories win UK’s most prestigious book awards for children and young people”.

Anthony McGowan Winner of the Carnegie Medal – this video is a lovely introduction to Lark and a winner’s speech from author Anthony McGowan.

Shaun Tan becomes first BAME author to win Kate Greenaway medal – Alison Flood’s article for the Guardian  on the two first time winners of this year’s awards and their remarkable books.

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Libraries Champion Bobby Seagull interviews Anthony McGowan – a chat about life during lockdown, engaging reluctant readers and the importance of children seeing themselves in books.

Books for Keeps Interview with Shaun Tan, winner of Kate Greenaway Medal 2020 – Shaun talks to Jake Hope about his work and describes the relationship between the urban and the wild which lies at the heart of the book.

Carnegie shortlist 2020: Q&A with Anthony McGowan – Peters Books published this article in March when the shortlist was announced and it provides a fascinating insight to the writing of Lark.

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Shaun Tan: ‘We’re not being mean to animals – but there is evil in obliviousness’ – The author-illustrator of Tales from the Inner City discusses animal rights, veganism and winning the Kate Greenaway medal in this Guardian article by Sian Cain.

Booklings Chat with Anthony McGowan – school librarian Lucas Maxwell runs a brilliant book club in his school and his Booklings regularly interview authors. This one made during lockdown features Lucas with this year’s award winner.

Reading Between the Lines: influences and inspirations from Carnegie and Kate Greenaway shortlisted authors and illustrators – if you missed the Twitter takeover on Sunday here is a write-up by Jake Hope of recommendations that were made by the  brilliant authors and illustrators throughout the sessions.

Lark wins the 2020 Carnegie Medal – a blogpost by the publishers Barrington Stoke on why the win by this particular book is so important to them and how “it shows that accessibility doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality or depth!”

Thank you for reading this celebration of the best of children’s books.

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The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick Book 2 of 20 Books of Summer 20

Posted on June 15, 2020 by alibrarylady

This weekend I escaped the news and immersed myself in a novel about a librarian, lost stories and lost opportunities, family secrets and new friendships.  The Library of the Lost and Found is a quiet, gentle read and a perfect antidote to the current turbulent times.

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It was this one line description…“A librarian’s discovery of a mysterious book sparks the journey of a lifetime…” that tempted me to read this and I imagined a quest, a once in a lifetime opportunity or perhaps a thrilling adventure. Within a few pages I realised that my assumptions were incorrect. Martha, a volunteer at the local library, fits the long-standing stereotype of librarians in fiction; quiet, mousy, downtrodden, lacking in a social life, taken for granted by her sister Lilian and with little excitement in her daily routine.  Martha’s self worth is measured by her success in completing tasks for others, be that repairing papier-mâché dragons or sewing repairs, all of which are starred or ticked off on colour coded lists in her Super Woman notebook. As a former librarian I confess that I sighed. And yet there was something about Martha, perhaps her genuine kindness or maybe her relatable love of books, libraries and bookshops that encouraged me. As I read on I started to discover the reasons that Martha’s life had developed the way it had. The older of two daughters she had found herself in the position of carer for her invalid parents for many years therefore losing the chance to grasp the opportunities that life offered her. I have witnessed these circumstances and it is impossible not to feel sympathy for those, more often women, who find themselves in this position. Following the death of her parents Martha finds she has lost both her confidence and the ability to enjoy life as she did before. Then the appearance of ‘the mysterious book’ changes everything . 

The story of Martha’s family is told through her experiences today and in part through flashbacks to her childhood. Gradually the layers of secrets are uncovered and the truth as to why her life has taken the path it has is revealed. By the halfway point I truly wanted happiness and justice for Martha, my initial irritation at her depiction long forgotten. As a child she had shown a talent for storytelling that was encouraged by her flamboyant grandmother Zelda and yet dismissed by her father. Martha’s father’s influence looms large throughout the book. His controlling dominance of his wife, Betty, and their daughters makes for uncomfortable reading at times. The family relationships and the choices the individual characters make at different points in the story would prompt interesting discussion.

There are moments of humour too and a poignancy to Martha’s trusting nature and her slowly developing friendships. However the path to restored self esteem and happiness is not straightforward and the complications caused by family members and past events make a happy ending look doubtful at several points. I did enjoy the obvious love for books and libraries displayed by the author and the inclusion of Martha’s fairy tale like stories.  In fact Martha herself could be viewed as a Cinderella character. Despite my initial misgivings I enjoyed this and found myself very much wanting her to ‘live happily ever after.’

This is the second book on my #20BooksofSummer2020 challenge organised by Cathy at 746 Books.  If you would like to see which other books I’m planning to read you can browse my list here.



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

Posted on June 13, 2020 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to another round up of the latest news from the world of children’s books. This week has been a whirlwind of book activity including Empathy Day when we celebrated the profound effect that quality children’s literature can have on behaviour and attitudes. We also had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of excellent online events sharing both book knowledge and enthusiasm for stories.

What I’m reading…

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Sometimes I am asked why I still read children’s books. There is a long answer but a shorter version might be, because I can still learn so much from them. Can You See Me?  by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott is a powerful and insightful read which is an excellent example of why children’s books are not only for children. The sequel, Do You Know Me? is now definitely on my wish list.

Can You See Me? features in this year’s Empathy Collection and is no doubt a book that is stocked in many school libraries. I wrote about  School Libraries – empathy factories for their communities this week as it is an aspect of school librarianship which is important to me and, I know, to many school librarians.

News and resources…

Exploring Pictures in Picturebooks – on Thursday evening a great many of us enjoyed a fascinating webinar generously provided by Mat Tobin, Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University. One hour full of knowledge and understanding sped by. If you were unable to make it Mat has kindly shared a video of the event (available through the link on the title)  and a comprehensive linked blogpost which could be used as the basis for a workshop or as a useful reference. You may also be interested in Mat’s wonderful Padlet of quality picturebooks for cross-curricular use in the classroom. Thank you Mat for your generosity in sharing this, it was a highlight of the week for many.

Seeing yourself as part of someone else’s story will bring justice to the world –  this reflective, gentle article by Wakanyi Hoffman is well worth a read. As she so rightly says…”One of the ways to discuss hard topics is through storytelling”

Young Wild Writer Competition for Hen Harrier Day 2020 – this blog by Gill Lewis provides details of a competition to get creative and celebrate British wildlife and Hen Harrier Day 2020. A chance to share wild words about the wild world in this competition for three different age groups from 5 – 16. Closing date 24th July.

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Putting stories back in the curriculum –  a thoughtful, encouraging post by Xris Curtis on the importance of stories and reading enjoyment in the secondary school classroom.

Illustrating Great Art, Music and Children’s Stories – Leslie Tate, author and poet, interviews James Mayhew about his art, his collaborations with other authors and illustrators and his work with musicians and orchestras. A lovely insight.

#PassTheBookplate – a bookselling boost on shifting ground – A new plan to support independent bookshops, from author S F Said and Autumn Rosewall of Kenilworth Books and a call for authors and publishers to get involved.

45 Books to help children understand that black lives matter – Alison from Books for Topics has compiled a list including biographies, non-fiction, books that open conversations about racism and books that represent BAME characters.

Empathy Day Catch up with events – there were some fabulous interviews, talks and activities taking place live during the day on Tuesday. If you missed out you can still catch up by watching the videos now available on the official website. These would be brilliant to share in schools. I found the Empathy Discussion in the evening extremely hopeful.

Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell announce new ‘piratical adventure’ – this is exciting news! Pirate Stew will reunite the novelist and the illustrator in a rhyming tale for children due out this autumn.

‘Reading: whole class or small groups?’: The problem with the question. — Just Imagine – if you missed the recent webinar organised by Just Imagine this excellent write up providing details of research, current practice and informed discussion is an extremely interesting read.

CILIP Carnegie and Kate-Greenaway Twitter Takeover – To celebrate the 2020 shortlists of the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, the organisers will be holding a Twitter Takeover on Sunday 14 June. This will be an opportunity to engage and interact with judges and key personnel of the awards and to hear more from the shortlisted authors and illustrators. The full programme is available via the link and looks fabulous.

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Diverse Voices – children’s books that celebrate difference – this is an excellent resource from LoveReading4Kids. They have created this Celebrating Diversity feature to highlight books that they have read and loved over the years, consolidating them into one easy to browse location. They will continuously update this category as they read and review new, relevant publications.

School Libraries Should Not Be Taken for Granted – an article from this month’s OURfP newsletter. This summary of recent research highlights the positive impact of library access on young people’s RfP and is written by Margaret Merga, an Australian researcher, whose own work explores libraries and students’ reading engagement.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival 2020 At Home – if you were unable to join the events this week it is possible to watch the videos via the website. I particularly enjoyed Katie Webber’s interview with Kiran Millwood Hargrave and am looking forward to the Chris Riddell event this afternoon.

James Mayhew, Alex Redington & Siu Chui Li: performances of music, stories, & live art for children – a fantastic new venture on Patreon. Music, stories & art come together in exclusive films for children. Perfect for families, homeschool hub, teachers and educators. There are three levels from single household to schools with a range of resources available. This launches on 15th June and promises to be rather special.

Finally some reviews that caught my eye this week…

6F9E8FEF-2C4B-4A75-B2E0-F1EFFBA4BB3FMy Nana’s Garden by Dawn Casey and Jessica Courtney-Tickle – ‘one of the most beautiful picture books about love and loss I’ve seen in a long time.’ says Jill Bennett in her enchanting review of a book published this week by Templar Books.

Dragon Detective: School’s Out by Gareth P Jones illustrations by Scott Brown – Mary Rees describes this second adventure starring Dirk and Holly as a ‘fun-filled, magical, action-packed adventure with a perfect sprinkling of danger’ It sounds perfect for primary school libraries and classrooms.

Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty – this much anticipated memoir is described by the Guardian as ‘a book that succeeds in describing the deep and complex pleasure of immersion in nature’.

The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein – featuring among the books of the month on the LoveReading4Kids website this ‘Cracking WWII story in which a young Jamaican Briton’s ingenuity makes remarkable impact’ sounds great.

That’s it for this week. A great many people to thank for their generosity in creating resources, courses, stories and art for us all to share and enjoy. It does, I think, make a difference and lift our spirits. I hope you have found something of interest among this week’s links. Happy reading…



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School Libraries – empathy factories for their communities

Posted on June 9, 2020 by alibrarylady

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This week we mark Empathy Day created by Empathy Lab to build children’s empathy with the aid of high quality literature. Our world today has possibly never been in greater need of empathy. The organisers of this initiative have, despite the difficult circumstances, ensured that there are resources, books and ideas available to encourage and inspire children. Their wonderful website is full of details, including booklists, research and information regarding future plans. All of this is centred around the best books which act as the tools to increase empathy. Young readers need access to these children’s books to make this work. 

Great school libraries act as empathy factories in their communities. The sharing of books with pupils and staff can connect individuals as a school family and encourage us to be empathetic and to show kindness in our daily lives. This can make a big difference in the school and perhaps in the wider community it serves too.

How do school libraries do this? Firstly by stocking the right type of books and making them available to people who need them at the appropriate time. As a primary school librarian I was asked almost daily for books about subjects ranging from teamwork, showing acceptance and friendship to those who may be a little ‘different’, learning to take turns, understanding the need to persevere and many, many more. All of these books would then be shared either by the teacher in the classroom, me in the library or a senior teacher at assembly. Time and time again these stories worked their magic and resolved tricky situations or sparked helpful discussion. Although a class library may sometimes have a suitable book, a school library will have a large and varied range of books available to everyone. Perhaps more importantly there will also be a librarian whose knowledge of the stock will mean they know where the right book is at the right time. This overview combined with book knowledge enables everyone in the school community to have the opportunity to share these stories together.

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Secondly, school libraries will provide access to books with diverse characters and about weighty subjects at a level appropriate for all the different types of readers in the school. These books enable children to put themselves in others’ shoes briefly and give them an insight into lives very different to their own. This understanding will do much to break down barriers at a time when mistrust and fear have caused distress and conflict worldwide. Equally important are books in which children can see children like themselves with whom they can relate.  Books can also enable them to read about children with similar problems, worries and fears. A school librarian works with all the children in the school and this enables them to guide readers to a book that could make all the difference when they need it most. Sometimes a book may not be appropriate as a class read but could reassure, comfort or encourage a child at a particular time in their lives. A book in which they see a person coping with grief, family breakup, health issues or struggling with friendships can provide a life lesson that makes all the difference. A good school librarian knows both the children and the books and can fit them together just like solving a jigsaw puzzle.

Unfortunately not everything a great school library and librarian does can be counted and included in data. Just because it cannot be counted does not mean that it does not matter.  The library is unique in a school in that it is a neutral, shared space common to all members of the school community. The pastoral role of the librarian and the library as a refuge and haven for pupils is vital and may be underestimated by some. Every single school librarian can tell you of a child who has been ‘rescued’ by the library. The new pupil anxious about the hurly-burly of the playground or perhaps the worried child who needs some time alone and a quiet space to simply ‘be’. If for any reason a child feels out of place the school library can provide security and a place where they feel valued. For teenagers approaching exams the school library may be the only quiet place where they can concentrate, study and revise.

School libraries offer hope for the future. They help to nurture empathy, kindness and a sense of social justice.  We should not take any of this for granted.

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For more information about the Great School Libraries Campaign please visit the official website.




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Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott – Book 1 of 20 Books of Summer 2020

Posted on June 8, 2020 by alibrarylady

Sometimes fiction makes difficult subjects accessible for children, sometimes it helps young readers understand people who are different to themselves and sometimes it encourages children to speak up about their own difficulties with increased confidence. This powerful collaboration between Libby Scott, an eleven year old girl with autism and Rebecca Westcott, a popular children’s author does all of those things. In addition Can You See Me? is a shining example of why children’s books are not only for children.

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‘Actually, the more I think about it, the more I reckon that a lot of the cons of autism are not really caused by autism but by how other people react to it. I really do.’

The transfer to secondary school can be a challenging time for many and for Tally the worries mounted as the end of the summer holidays drew nearer. Tally is autistic and her anxiety about adapting to the many new aspects of school life is causing her problems. In addition her friends from primary school who had always supported her now appear to be subtly different; their interests and shared jokes feel alien to Tally. Increasingly she tries to conform to the requirements that others place on her to fit in which only adds to her difficulties. One of the boys has started to taunt Tally and she feel that there is no-one to help her. As the days pass Tally struggles to control her true feelings until eventually she discovers that they are too powerful for her to hide for ever.

This is a moving, powerful and, perhaps most importantly, insightful read. Rebecca Westcott, a teacher, writes with a knowledge and understanding of school life which ensures that the descriptions of the daily routines, the teachers’ behaviours and the attitudes of the pupils all feel authentic and relatable for young readers. The innovative approach, with Libby Scott providing input in the story itself and writing Tally’s diary entries which are interspersed with the story throughout, results in this book being an enlightening and at times slightly uncomfortable read. It highlights the expectations we as adults may have of autistic children that can make daily life harder for them. This would be a valuable read for both teachers and parents as it increases understanding and provides ideas for possible strategies to help. Rebecca Westcott has created in Tally’s family characters who care for and love her but at times experience both frustration and worry. Tally’s elder sister shows kindness yet also the understandable impatience of a teenager coping with her own issues. Tally’s diary entries, as written by Libby Scott, show a remarkable self awareness, honesty and maturity that is impressive. I found it an eye opening and gripping read. 

That this story features in this year’s Empathy collection is no surprise. Perfect for encouraging discussion, understanding and kindness this deserves a place in every school library and classroom. Can You See Me? is a wonderful read for all children preparing for transition to secondary school and it would be an excellent class read for both Year 6 and 7.

If you are looking for books to help you understand autism the Healthy Books website has a list of books, both fiction and nonfiction, suitable for a wide age range. Can You See Me? features on this booklist collated by Book Trust which aims to provide a range of children’s and teens’ books that feature characters who are on the autistic spectrum. A new self-help book, Autism, Bullying and the Child by Emily Lovegrove was published last month and you can read more information about it here.

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This is the first book on my #20BooksofSummer2020 challenge organised by Cathy at 746 Books.  If you would like to see which other books I’m planning to read you can browse my list here.





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

Posted on June 6, 2020 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look at the latest news from the world of children’s books. The global news continues to be disturbing and there are days when it can feel overwhelming. The world of children’s books however tends to be a positive one and even now there are things to celebrate and share. This coming week we mark Empathy Day and initiatives such as this are a source of hope. More good news this week was that the Knights Of and Jacaranda Publishing #InclusiveIndies campaign raised over a staggering £100,000 and this figure continues to climb. Both of these publishers ensure that everyone will have a voice and be able to see themselves in literature. Also, generous people continue to create and share resources and ideas freely across social media to ensure that our children are still able to access stories. So there is some good news.

What I’m reading…

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This week I have rather concentrated on what I am planning to read rather than reading itself. Once again I am participating in the 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge. This is organised by Cathy at 746Books You can browse my rather ambitious selection of titles here. The first book on my list is Can You See Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott which is on this year’s Empathy Collection list and I can now well understand why. It is a moving and enlightening read.

 News and resources…

Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels – another fabulous collection of suggestions from Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian. Every time I say I am not buying any more books Imogen manages to tempt me!

The Bird Within Me Written and illustrated by Sara Lundberg Translated by B.J. Epstein Teacher Notes – ‘teacher notes’ does not really do this comprehensive resource created by Martin Galway for Book Island Publishers justice. There are discussion prompts, writing ideas, art and cross curricula projects included making this invaluable for schools. I re-read my copy of this thoughtful book last weekend with Martin’s notes beside me and it made for a richer reading experience. Highly recommended.

Love My Books Newletter – the latest newsletter provides links to yet more wonderful creative activities linked to popular books. New additions include The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Beetle Boy by M G Leonard. There are free activity books too and ideas for picture books for all ages. In addition I suggest some possible titles to follow popular, classic picture books.

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Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Halls and David Litchfield – this beautiful picture book full of kindness and hope is free to download from the Walker Books website. The illustrations are simply gorgeous, I have to keep going back for another look. The book supports the #SaveWithStories campaign from Save the Children and is a generous gesture by its creators.

The Humble Mayor of Grumble by Hilary Robinson and Steven Johnson Free Downloadable Story – a lovely review by @BookMonsterAlly of a story of hope resilience, community & gratitude during a pandemic with a link to download this illustrated poster story, ‘a fable for our time’ for use in the classroom or at home.

31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance – a children’s book list for anti-racist activism including picture books, novels and biographies.

#BlackLivesMatter 21 stories for teens – a downloadable poster created by school librarian Lucas Maxwell featuring books that are popular with pupils at his school.

Book Trust announces the Book Buzz titles – 17 exciting books for Bookbuzz 2020: a wide variety of titles, from non-fiction reads for curious minds, to fast-paced page-turners. Bookbuzz has something for everyone. Registration is extended until October this year so there’s still plenty of time to get your school involved.

30 Picture Books to Promote Black Representation in Children’s Literature – a collection of wonderful books selected by primary school teacher Miss Newton @MissNewton91 on Twitter.

Before You Get to Year 7 Booklists – another fabulous resource from Lucas Maxwell. These booklists are divided into genres including comics, horror and books for fans of the Wimpy Kid series.

Fly with Tiny Owl: Access extensive library of free resources – Tiny Owl not only produce gorgeous picture books but they have also worked with others to create many wonderful resources for schools. There are links to videos, creative ideas and teaching ideas.

Empathy Read Aloud – Enjoy listening to wonderful empathy boosting stories and poems from the empathy book collections read aloud by authors, illustrators and poets.

Exploring Empathy: the importance of teaching empathy in the classroom – Miranda Mckearney OBE – Empathy is an important life skill for children to learn, and a force for good. Miranda McKearney, the founder of EmpathyLab, explains how Empathy Day uses books to boost empathy by teaching children to see things from other people’s perspectives.

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Chicken in the kitchen read by Lucian Msamati | Tata Storytime. Kids book read aloud – a big thank you to Mat Tobin for sharing this on Twitter this week. It’s absolutely great and a master-class in how to read a story aloud. I have been exploring the other videos on Tata Storytime and they are perfect for sharing.

Year 6 Transition to Secondary School Booklist – this booklist is on the Books for Topics has been collated by @TheBookWhisper2 who blogs at https://thebookwhisper2.wixsite.com/mysite/blog.

‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teens – It’s never too early to learn that racism is wrong and we should be doing something about it. These books will help show our kids how, writes publisher and bookseller Aimée Felone for the Guardian 

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival At Home 2020 – this annual treat for children’s book lovers is brought to us all for free this year thanks to their At Home programme. The line up includes S F Said, Emma Carroll, Jeremy Strong and more.

Librarians Under a Lockdown: Rising to the Challenge – this article by Bev Humphrey of the School Library Association for NACE, in addition to detailing the different ways in which school librarians have adapted to the Coronavirus pandemic, also provides links to online CPD and guidance on planning for the future.

Summer Reading Challenge – This year, Silly Squad, the Summer Reading Challenge 2020, will celebrate funny books, happiness and laughter. Children taking part in the Challenge will join the Silly Squad, an adventurous team of animals who love to have a laugh and get stuck in to all different kinds of funny books!

Finally, some book reviews that caught my eye…

Mrs Noah’s Garden by written by Jackie Morris illustrated by James Mayhew – my own copy of this gorgeous picture book arrived last weekend and this review by Jo Bowers for Just Imagine captures its appeal beautifully.

A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicol– as we approach Empathy Day I think this book may we’ll feature on future Empathy Collection lists. Jo Cummins says ‘I would urge all educators, anyone who knows or works with autistic children, and anyone who enjoys a powerful story, to read this book!’ It is suitable for aged 9+

Thank you for reading. I do hope that you have found something of interest among this week’s items and enjoy a restful weekend with time for some reading.



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20 Books of Summer 2020

Posted on June 2, 2020 by alibrarylady

Cathy at 746 Books is hosting her 20 Books of Summer reading challenge again this year. Last year was the first time that I have participated and unfortunately I failed miserably to read the twenty books on my original list. I think I managed nine. However, undeterred, I have decided to have another try! Cathy does, thank goodness, have a very relaxed approach to this “challenge” so I have succumbed. Although I seriously doubt I will manage twenty books between now and 3rd September I thought it may prompt me to tackle my toppling to be read book mountains. According to Cathy I can reduce the number if I wish to and may alter the list if I fancy too. This sounds appealing! I do know of other online book pals who are taking part which I think will encourage me in my attempt.

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Due to my various reviewing commitments, chiefly for children’s books, the time available for reading simply for my own pleasure has diminished. Although I greatly enjoy the children’s books I review it will be refreshing to have complete freedom of choice. We all know how vital personal choice is for nurturing reading for pleasure in children so I am going to adopt the same approach for my own reading.  I had hoped that the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions would result in my reading more but I flit about from one disturbing news report to another instead. Having a list of titles will, I hope, encourage me to focus. So here goes…my #20BooksofSummer20 list. Perhaps you would like to read some of these too?

1. Can You See Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott – this book is on this year’s Empathy Collection booklist for children. As Empathy Day takes place on 9th June and we are at present living in a world desperately in need of greater empathy this, I thought, was a good place to start.

2. The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick – the idea of a story with a librarian at the heart of it and a plot description that reads, “a librarian’s discovery of a mysterious book sparks the journey of a lifetime” was enough to persuade me to borrow this e-book from my own local library and I am looking forward to a cheerful escape. 

3. The Boy Who Dreamed of Dragons by Andy Shepherd 

4 . My Name is River by Emma Rea 

5. The Ghost Garden by Emma Carroll

These three books are all copies that I have received for review from children’s publishers. Andy Shepherd’s book is the latest in a popular young middle grade series combining a magical introduction to fantasy with a kind and gentle look at family life. Emma Rea’s new book,  My Name is River, is an adventure set in the Brazilian rainforest which does sound to have great child appeal. I always enjoy Emma Carroll’s historical fiction for children and am looking forward to her first novella for Barrington Stoke.

6. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – this was given to me by a friend who said she thought it was “my sort of book.” It has languished on my bookshelf for ages. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2015 I really have no excuses for not getting round to reading it.

7. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

8. Toffee by Sarah Crossan.

Two teen/YA novels that are shortlisted for awards. Angie Thomas won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2016 for The Hate U Give and On the Come Up is shortlisted for the Carnegie Award this year. This will be the first of her novels that I have read and I’m fascinated to see what I think of it. From The Weight of Water onwards I have enjoyed Sarah Crossan’s verse novels. Despite the fact that her writing is more suitable for an older audience than the primary school readers with whom I used to work I have always made time to read her books. Toffee is shortlisted for the UKLA Book Award and I am very much looking forward to reading it.

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9. Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker – several people whose judgement I value have recommended this children’s book on Twitter so I could not resist the temptation to buy a copy.

10. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – another that has languished on my shelves for far too long. This story within a story holds great appeal and is another that is linked to books and the doors which they open to other lives, places and times.

11. The Old Ways – Robert MacFarlane – This is cheating a little as I have started reading this beautiful book but had to put it to one side due to other commitments. During the lockdown I have spent time walking in our local woods and the idea of history hidden in our footpaths and lanes is, for me, a comforting one. 

12. High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson

13. Our Castle by the Sea by Lucy Strange

14. Where the River Runs Gold by Sita Brahmachari 

These are three children’s books that have been neglected  due to being my personal reading choices and having to take second place to those I am reviewing in time for publication dates. Sharna Jackson’s book is published by Knights Of, a small publisher doing big, brilliant things and I have wanted to read this for ages. Lucy Strange’s debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood, was the sort of book that I loved as a child and still do now. I am looking forward to reading her second title. Corey’s Rock written by Sita Brahmachari and illustrated by Jane Ray prompted me to buy her novel for older children last year and is another I am hoping to make time for.

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15. The Phone Box at the End of the World by Laura Imai Messina translated by Lucy Rand – this was an impulse download from NetGalley and it was the descriptions of the hopeful nature of the story that attracted me. It is due to be published this month.

16 The Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool – winner of the Newbery Award in 2011 this novel has parallels with our world at the moment and I approach this one with a little trepidation. Will it reassure? I do hope so.

The following books are all childhood or teen treasures rescued from my parents’ house or second hand book finds from over the years. Each in their own way is important to me and I have added them to my list with a slight anxiety as to what I will make of them now.

17. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

18. Little Men by Louisa M Alcott

19. Our Friend Jennings by Anthony Buckeridge

20.  Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper 

Well, these are my twenty books. Will I change some? Yes, quite possibly but I do intend to try and keep to the original choices if possible. Even if I only manage to read a few books over the period it will be a valuable exercise in focusing on books I already own. The problem is going to be resisting my natural inclination to add to my collection. There are so many fabulous books being recommended to me at the moment I will undoubtedly be tempted but I am aware that this results in some older and just as fabulous books being neglected. Hence these unread beauties. #20BooksofSummer is a lovely idea and I am looking forward to taking part. I hope to post regular updates on my progress.

 



 

 

 

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

Posted on May 30, 2020 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to this week’s look back at the latest children’s book news. This is attempt number two so I have everything crossed that someone somewhere is able to read this! Sometimes there are occasions when I wish that I could escape to the imaginary worlds I read about and this has been one of those weeks. If you fancy escaping too I do hope that you find an article or book  here that helps you do just that.

What I’ve been reading…

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This week I read Cloud Boy by Marcia Williams a very different story to those with which I usually associate this award winning author. You may well be familiar with her popular comic format books such as Bravo Mr William Shakespeare and Hooray for Women or her wonderful journal style story My War Diary by Flossie Albright. This is her first novel for a middle grade audience and it is a story of friendship, loyalty, loss and courage told by a believable main character. It’s accessible but its innocent narration deals with deep emotions. I will try and post a review in the coming days.

Two wonderful picture books landed on my doormat this week. Bloom by Anne Booth and Robyn Wilson-Owen and Perdu by Richard Jones. I loved them both and you can find out why here.

News and resources…

Not reopening but blooming: picturebooks for new beginnings – this is a beautiful and reassuring blog post by Martin Galway, of Herts for Learning Primary English, about picture books full of hope. If you only have time to read one item I share this week please make it this one.

From Harry Potter at Home to the National Shelf Service: bookish fun for the lockdown – An updating list of online treats for bibliophiles of all ages, including Hogwarts quizzes, Simon Armitage and a star-packed reading of James and the Giant Peach.

J.K. Rowling Introduces The Ickabog – speaking of Harry Potter…here is his creator’s latest offering for children. The Ickabog was written as a read-aloud book but it’s suitable for 7-9 year olds to read to themselves. J K Rowling is posting a chapter (or two, or three) every weekday between 26th May and 10th July on the website and asking children to provide illustrations of the characters to be share on social media. 

Mrs Noah’s Garden: An interview with James Mayhew – this beautiful sequel to Mrs Noah’s Pockets was published by Otter-BarryBooks on 21st May. Illustrator James Mayhew discusses working with author Jackie Morris on this book, their latest joint venture, on the Reading Realm website.

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Choose Bookshops! The Lockdown KidsLit Band – independent bookshops are in a precarious situation due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  Children author Gareth P Jones wanted to find a way to get the message out so he put a call out for other children’s authors to contribute to a song to promote the #ChooseBookshops campaign. Have a lovely day! 

We Found a Hat | Free Performance for Children – Watch Ian Nicholson, Samuel Wilde and Jim Whitcher’s puppet-filled adaptation of ‘We Found a Hat’, the final instalment in Jon Klassen’s ‘Hat’ series by The Little A Theatre. This is an absolute treat.

Minerva Reads: Storytelling Specifically – an interesting blogpost by Clare Zinkin about the power of storytelling to give truth to the world outside.

Five ways to give children access to stories and reading material during lockdown – to support reading at home Alison Leach of Books for Topics has put together a list of the best places to access free children’s reading materials, from phonic readers and online comics to read-alongs and full length chapter books.

P is for Pandemic: kids’ books about coronavirus – article in The Conversation providing information about books which explore practical ways young children can avoid infection and transmission, and provide strategies parents can use to help children cope with anxiety. 

‘Time and time again’: Tom’s Midnight Garden and the Temporality of Lockdown – I was going to write about the experience of rereading time slip children’s novels during the lockdown and how affecting and reassuring I found the experience. Stella Pryce has written about it so beautifully I suggest you read this instead. Just like the books I think I’m going to have to keep rereading this too.

Top 100 Recommended Reads for Year 1 – Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher, has been busy again! This time he has updated his suggested book list for Year 1. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, picture books, chapter books, classics & newly published titles too. Complete with printable display posters & checklists to use in the classroom.

Further Fabulous First Chapter Books – Jo Cummins has provided a selection of wonderful books for readers who are looking for some that’s still highly-illustrated and engaging, but also a little wordier.

Where the World Turns Wild: Lockdown Reading for Anxious Children – this is a thoughtful article by Imogen Russell Williams discussing books ranging from classics to newly published titles that will console and encourage young readers.

40 Picture Books to Share with children who are returning to school this June – another helpful resource from Alison at Books for Topics, she has created lists of suggestions grouped into themes of worry, resilience, bereavement, happiness, following rules, fear, hope etc.

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Letters from Lockdown – The Children’s Book Show has had to postpone their annual  programme of theatre performances and in-school workshops. Instead they have invited artists to write a short letter to be shared with classes online or via social media, to inspire them to write their own lockdown letter. These are lovely; beautiful to look at and to read.

YA Book Prize 2020 – Congratulations to the winner of the YA Book Prize 2020 ⁠— Meat Market by Juno Dawson. Find out more about Meat Market and the rest of the books on the 2020 shortlist and read free extracts of all of them and check out the Q&As with all of the shortlisted authors.

Prestigious national appointment for Professor Teresa Cremin– huge congratulations to TeresaCremin on being appointed Reading Expert for the English Hubs Council. Her role will be to help inform their programmes to improve the teaching of language and literacy to young children in England.  

Empathy Shorts – Empathy Day takes place on 9th June and Empathy Lab have ensured that children will have access to an empathy boosting story on the day by asking eight leading authors to write eight brand new stories. These include Jo Cotterill, Bali Rai and Gill Lewis.

A Monster Calls – Bristol Old Vic have teamed up with The Old Vic to bring A Monster Calls to the comfort of your own home. Adapted from the critically acclaimed bestseller by Patrick Ness, and directed by Sally Cookson (Peter Pan, La Strada), this Olivier Award-winning production of A Monster Calls offers a dazzling insight into love, life and healing.  It will be streamed live on Friday 5th June at 7pm and will be available for one week afterwards. Thank you to Mat Tobin for making me aware of this or I would have missed this exciting news.

Klaus Flugge: Pam Smy on finding an original voice in illustration – this guest post for Just Imagine  by Pam Smy lecturer with the Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University provides an insight into the world of illustration and the pressures that may be experienced by illustrators.

Finally some book reviews that caught my eye this week...

Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray – this review by Sam Creighton for Just Imagine has persuaded me that this is another that needs to go on my shopping list. In summary he says’  “the book, which perfectly sets up an already promised sequel, is a powerful mix of excitement and substance and deserves to be a staple text on every UKS2 bookshelf.”

Young Fiction Reads – a fabulous selection of  Jo Clarke’s favourite recent releases all guaranteed to enthral and entertain children. A mix of witches, monsters, vampires, zombies, dragons and ghouls so something for every possible taste.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson – ‘An addictive, clever YA crime thriller with a loveable female protagonist. Full of shocking twists and turns and set against the backdrop of modern teenage life.’ says Olivia Mitchell in her excellent review for The Bookbag.

Well that’s all for this week. I think! Rather a lot of reading matter but I do hope that there is something here that appeals to you. I hope you have a lovely weekend and happy reading.

 



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