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

Posted on May 9, 2020 by alibrarylady

Welcome to another look back at the latest children’s book news and a visit to some useful resources encouraging reading for pleasure. As I write this there is continued speculation regarding the timing of the reopening of schools across the country. No matter what form education takes over the coming weeks, whether at home, at school or in some combination of the two reading continues to be important as it nurtures, informs and entertains our children.  I hope that among the links I have shared here you will find something that helps you.

What I’m reading…

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A lovely picture book was a highlight this week. Child of Galaxies by Blake Nuto and Charlotte Ager is a thoughtful introduction to philosophy for children and will inspire, encourage and reassure young readers with its poetic text and lovely illustrations. I also finished reading The Children of Green Knowe a wonderful story for now with its nostalgic yet curiously timeless appeal. It had, for me, echoes of Tom’s Midnight Garden with the old house taking a central role and the bond between a young boy and an elderly woman. I am also treating myself to the latest Anne Tyler, The Redhead at the Side of the Road. Yes, I do sometimes read adult fiction!

News and resources…

Walker Books celebrates 40th anniversary by funding 40 School Library Association memberships – this popular children’s publisher is generously sponsoring 40 free memberships to the School Library Association for one year. Applications are open to UK schools who haven’t previously been a member, and SLA will aim to split them evenly between primary and secondary schools. Applications will be picked at random. The deadline for applications is 12th June 2020. I can vouch for the fact that SLA membership is extremely helpful for school librarians and teachers who want to make the most of their libraries.

Barrington Stoke Homeschooling Help for Lockdown – this is a brilliant free resource from Barrington Stoke full of helpful advice, information and links all presented in an extremely user friendly format.

Some of the best new children’s nature books to read this spring – From picture books about bats or microscopic species, to guides about climate change and celebrating environmentalists, there’s a wide range of amazing titles being published for children reviewed here.

Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels – A badminton-playing panda, a celebration of the avocado, a travel agency with gateways to other worlds and more are all reviewed by child book expert Imogen Russell Williams for the Guardian.

This is Not My Hat: Free performance for children by The Little A Theatre – Watch Ian Nicholson, Samuel Wilde and Jim Whitcher’s puppet-filled adaptation of ‘This is Not My Hat’, Jon Klassen’s sequel to ‘I Want My Hat Back’. Just as good as the first one this is delightful.

The Loss: Picture Books About Loss – headteacher and picture book lover Simon Smith has compiled a beautiful selection of picture books which explore grief and loss and would be perfect for helping children understand and maybe talk about these emotions.

Reading Rocks at Home with Hachette Schools – Hachette publishers have teamed up with Reading Rocks to create a series of online lessons and activities to support home learning.

Books for Keeps – a reminder that this wonderful website has 13,500 different book related articles and reviews. All available to read now, for free!

Booklings Chat–  School librarian Lucas Maxwell and his pupils have interviewed a number of children’s and teen authors including those shortlisted for the YA Book Book Prize. Lots to listen to here.

dPictus 100 Outstanding PictureBooks – The 100 Outstanding Picturebooks showcase features the titles which have been highlighted by the most guest curators, and includes an eclectic mix of new-and-soon-to-be-released picturebooks, as well as classic backlist titles.

Make Your Own Story Dice – Coram Beanstalk and Nick Sharratt have created these lovely story dice templates to colour in, stick together and use for endless storytelling. This is a great way for adults and children to create and share stories. 

Empathy Day 9th June – there is a truly fabulous line up of authors and illustrators arranged for this special day. There will be brilliant online events and fun home-based activities to help children read, connect and act using empathy. The packs for schools and libraries are available now and family packs will be released on 18th May.

Hay Festival On Hay Player – the online schools programme features a veritable Who’s Who of children’s authors including Cressida Cowell, Onjali Raif, Patrice Lawrence and many more. Starts 18th May with treats all week.

On a Mission to Save BAME Books – article in The Voice about the #InclusiveIndies Fund launched for diversity-led indie publishers by Knights Of and Jacaranda Books.

Authorfy Writing Competition– Write a Laugh competition is an opportunity for children to win tons of prizes and to share some fun with friends and family and maybe even see their story in print. All entries must be in before 31st May.

Portable Magic Dispenser – this month’s  update from school librarian Lucas Maxwell with ideas suitable for both libraries and classrooms.

Some book reviews that caught my eye this week…

The Wonder of Trees by Nicola Davies and Lorna Scobie – this fabulous and comprehensive review by Nikki Gamble for Just Imagine has made me want to buy this nonfiction book for myself! In summary: “This is a super book for the classroom or library and would make a gorgeous gift for a child – or adult. There are lots of very good books about trees, but if you can only buy one, I suggest you consider this one.”

Burn by Patrick Ness – the award winning author for teens is “back to his barnstorming best with a novel set in an alternate Cold War era America” according to this great review by The Bookbag.

That’s all for this week. Happy reading!



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Child of Galaxies by Blake Nuto and Charlotte Ager

Posted on May 5, 2020 by alibrarylady

Children ask questions all the time. Some of those questions are easier for parents and teachers to answer than others and some may even be ones that adults are searching for answers to themselves. This beautiful picture book is a lyrical look at life’s biggest questions that will gently reassure while at the same time encouraging children to celebrate the joy of life. An appropriate book for the world we find ourselves in at the moment.

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Your body was made from the STUFF of the STARS,
You’re a CHILD of GALAXIES dreaming…

This poignant picture book takes the reader on a journey through the world of ideas and looks at the deeper meaning of the everyday things that we may often take for granted. It begins with a broad look at the universe and earth’s place in it and the opening pages are a celebration of life and the infinite world of possibilities that lie in wait for young children. We are then reminded that as we progress on life’s journey there may be worries and anxiety about what the future may hold for us but the poetic text then reassures us that we are a small part of a big world that has continued for millions of years. There is a comfort in the joy of the every day; sunshine, rain, the seasons, and the love of friendship. Positivity and hope shine through the remainder of this thoughtful book.

I imagine that when Blake Nato and Charlotte Ager created this gentle introduction to philosophy for young children they had no idea how events across the world would add even more to the impact of this picture book. The reminder of the crowded city streets bustling with people “heading nowhere at all, on a life giving ball” feels like a life left behind us now. The double page spread of the two children reaching out to each other has for me, and for many others I imagine, an added poignancy as we are separated from our families and loved ones due to social distancing at present. The two small figures nestled on outstretched hands, looking rather like flying carpets journeying through the adventure of life, and the accompanying text are both touching and reassuring. A reminder of the importance of connecting with others.

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The lyrical text lends itself to being read aloud and this is a book to be shared and pondered over. Charlotte Ager’s illustrations have a fresh look and their style conveys the emotions described in the text beautifully. The change in tone and colour when we touch on the worry and uncertainty encountered match the mood well and add to the feelings experienced by the reader. Likewise the joy experienced in the special but everyday moments is apparent and the double page spread of sunflowers is delightful. The pictures show a range of diverse and inclusive characters adding to the broad appeal.  Both the text and the illustrations could have many interpretations and although described as a book for aged 3+ I envisage this being used with much older children to prompt thoughtful discussion. Each time I return to this book I notice more.

A lovely book full of hope and optimism for all ages that will comfort, reassure and inspire. Thank you to Flying Eye Books for sending me my copy.

Although slightly different in theme Here We Are – Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers is another beautiful picture book encouraging the reader to celebrate the world we live in that you may like to have a look at.



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

Posted on May 2, 2020 by alibrarylady

Welcome to this week’s look back at the latest news from the children’s books world. I am aware that teachers and school librarians are under a great deal of pressure at present and hope that some of the links collated here will, in a small way, provide some support. Reading at home is something that families can enjoy together so maybe some of the book suggestions and ideas will be useful for parents too.

If you are looking for a wider range of resources supporting reading you may find my earlier post Reading for Pleasure – Resources to Help Children Enjoy Books at Home helpful.

What I’m reading…

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Since Shackleton’s Journey won the Kate Greenaway Award in 2015 Flying Eye Books have continued to publish wonderful illustrated non fiction and Ancient Games: A History of Sports and Gaming – Iris Volant and Avalon Nuovo is another to add to the list. This week I have been reading The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston and now halfway through I feel as though I have travelled in time. A lovely read.

News, resources and articles…

Reasons to be cheerful: poetry and stories to give hope to adults and children alike – Children’s author Katherine Rundell introduces original poems, stories and illustrations by the likes of Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and Axel Scheffler brought together in a compilation dedicated to the doctors, nurses, carers and all those working in hospitals to protect us.

The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain Children in Lockdown – here is the link to the book created by Katherine Rundell and her fellow children’s authors and illustrators. Having dipped into this often during the week I can vouch for its hopefulness.

Branching Out: Resources to Support Reading For Pleasure – a brilliant idea from Alison at Books for Topics. Book recommendations for children who have been hooked in by a particular series or author and are ready to branch out. Free to view, download and share.

BBC Sounds The Dam with David Almond – I mentioned this in last week‘s Reading Matters but if you missed it the programme is available to download for some time. David Almond talking about the story behind The Dam, the stunning picture book he created with Levi Pinfold. An absolute treat of a listen.

The Big Book Weekend –  a 3-day virtual festival, taking place on MyVLF.com, that brings together the best of the British book festivals cancelled due to coronavirus, featuring among others, Michael Morpurgo, Neil Gaiman, Juno Dawson and Patrick Ness.

100 Books (and counting!) to read before you leave secondary school – Lucas Maxwell, award winning librarian at Glenthorne School, has added to his remarkable list of books he has read and reviewed. There is a downloadable list, searchable by theme. All books are suitable for 11+ unless otherwise stated.

The whole world in a bedroom: seven of the most imaginative picture books for lockdown life – I should have included this article last week. A selection of picture books to encourage connection, curiosity and adventure in children when you’re stuck in isolation.

Lockdown Librarian: Ways to Connect to Your Patrons – practical advice from school librarian Lucas Maxwell in his helpful article

Fly With Tiny Owl – Check out read along and how-to videos from Tiny Owl Publishers’ fabulous authors and illustrators so that you can keep little ones entertained. Lots of teachers are among the many story read alouds featured and this is a lovely resource for parents and teachers.

Facebook Live Chat with author Tom Palmer Tuesday 5th May 10am – Tom Palmer will be talking about reading and writing on the Second World War, answering questions and doing his first ever reading from After the War, due out later this year.

The Branford Boase Award Shortlist Announced – Since 2000, the Branford Boase has been awarded annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children. Uniquely, it also honours the editor of the winning title and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new talent. More great books to add to your reading list! 

Using Padlet to Support a Remote Book Talk Session – Mat Tobin, lecturer in Primary English and Children’s Literature at Oxford Brookes University, has created an extremely helpful video in which he presents an overview of the ins and outs of Padlet and how he has used it to promote a booktalk session, remotely. Invaluable for those trying to put this in place for their pupils at the moment.

Herts Primary English: Weekly Primary English Digest – the second volume published this week includes teaching ideas, CPD, news and reviews. This week’s whole school book study resource focuses on Nothing by Mick Inkpen. The many varied ideas based on this much loved picture book could also be adapted for use at home.

School Library Association Webinar Training Sessions – the School Library Association is hosting webinars over the coming weeks on a variety of topics including Wellbeing and Reading and Engaging Reluctant Readers.

Publishing for the future: how children’s books have changed in 20 years – a fascinating article by children’s book expert, Julia Eccleshare, in The Bookseller, discussing trends in children’s fiction.

National Share a Story Month 2020 – celebrated each May the  theme for 2020, The Planet We Share, is very wide and can include anyone or anything we share this planet with. There are book lists, competition details and book related activities available on the website. 

Reviews

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D. Lapinski – Veronica Price ‘loved L.D. Lapinski’s world-building, protagonists and ability to combine an important message within a fast-paced contemporary fantasy for MG readers’. Read her review to find out more.

The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates by Jenny Pearson – I love this review by Ben Harris… ‘The book spoke to me as a teacher. I kept thinking as I read it – “I can’t wait to be back to school! I want to share this with my class! We will love this book together!” As a a school librarian I was always being asked ‘Where are the funny books?’ It definitely sounds as though Freddie Yates would be there!

The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler, illustrated by Chris Mould – Jo Clarke says ‘I was drawn into this original and dark drama and devoured it in one afternoon.’ This debut has been receiving a lot of attention and I’m looking forward to reading it.

That’s all for this week. Happy reading!



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Ancient Games: A History of Sports and Gaming – Iris Volant and Avalon Nuovo

Posted on April 28, 2020 by alibrarylady

Full of fascinating facts and striking illustrations this large format guide to the history of sports and games that have entertained people for thousands of years is a book with the wow factor. Another winner from Flying Eye Books!

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The latest in this established series combines information about sports from ancient times to present day with a glimpse of social history that ensures this book has cross curricular ties for primary school children. There are mentions of links to religion and myths, to invasions and wars throughout the depiction of the gradual development of games, sport and pastimes across the world. It is this broad global range that gives the book an added appeal. Rather than concentrate on the well known and the familiar Iris Volant has drawn from the history of ancient civilisations and from a wide range of countries and cultures.

Starting with wrestling around 5000 years ago in what is now Southern Iraq, moving on to water jousting in Ancient Egypt, Aztec board games, Roman chariot races, the Chinese early form of football and then forward to medieval archery and Viking chess the range of sports and games included is comprehensive. The striking illustrations by Avalon Nuovo bring the written explanations to life and encourage children to browse and linger over the pages. Children will learn as they linger. There are many interesting details included. I did not know that the Roman chariot racers worked for teams represented by colours and that the citizens supported their own team in a similar way to supporting football teams nowadays. Other more important cultural references such as the religious significance of sports and games in Aztec and Inca cultures are also mentioned. This is a fascinating book for an adult to dip into as well.

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There are descriptions of Powerful People interspersed between the different time periods ranging from Milo of Croton to modern Olympic champions. The book was originally due to publish just prior to the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, now postponed until 2021. The evolution of the games from their origin in Ancient Greece to its modern day popularity form an interesting part of the book and will be enjoyed by children despite the delay of the games themselves. Teachers may want to be super efficient and get hold of the book in readiness too!  The book closes with a time line of events giving readers a helpful overview.

Ancient Games is published in May and would be a valuable addition to school, library or family bookshelves. Thank you to the publishers Flying Eye Books for providing my copy.
Flying Eye have produced some other excellent non fiction books for children including books exploring oceans which you may be interested in. 



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

Posted on April 25, 2020 by alibrarylady

Welcome to another Reading Matters, a look back at some of the latest news about children’s books. As schools resumed this week, albeit as a remote version, many children’s authors and publishers have increased the range of resources available to help teachers, librarians and parents. Some of these are included here but I am aware that there is a risk of overloading people so have kept these to a minimum. If you are looking for a wider range of resources supporting reading you may find Reading for Pleasure – Resources to Help Children Enjoy Books at Home helpful. I hope that some of the articles I have enjoyed this week will appeal to you too.

What I’m reading…

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Earlier this week I read and reviewed some Fabulous Nonfiction for Children from Flying Eye Books.two new books, Professor Astro Cat’s Deep Sea Voyage and Obsessive About Octopuses, about life in the oceans that will appeal to many children. My comfort reading at the moment is The Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson and I have decided I would like to spend time with Moominmamma, a soothing presence even on the written page.

News, articles and resources…

The English Association: Our Top Five Reads Series – Jo Bowers, an Associate Dean at Cardiff Metropolitan University, has chosen her top five reads with a Welsh setting and they are a great selection. It is worth having a look at previous choices too, including poetry and wordless picture books.

Federation of Children’s Books Groups: Guest Post by Richard Jones – this is a lovely read by the creator of new picture book Perdu describing how working in a library revealed the joy of storytelling. 

Back to School (Remotely) by Clare Zinkin – Clare highlights some excellent resources connected with children’s reading and literacy among the array now available in this helpful post.

Supporting Reading at Home Poster – the Open University Research Rich Pedagogies website has a fabulous range of resources supporting reading for pleasure including a free to download poster available on the link above.
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Love My Books Newsletter – the latest edition is packed with creative ideas for home learning during school closures including brand new activity pages for fabulous books.

Malorie Blackman: A New Normal – Perspectives is a series of essays from Penguin authors offering their response to the Covid-19 crisis. In this article Malorie Blackman reflects on key workers, compassion and the future we want.

Staying Home by Sally Nicholls and Viviane Schwarz – this generous duo of writer and illustrator have created a free book that can be downloaded via the Andersen Press website. This is a kind and reassuring look at family life during lockdown which will comfort children and quite probably parents too.

Just Imagine Free Webinars – a wide range of subjects are covered in these free training sessions several of which are taking place over the next month. Registration is required.

Longlists Announced for the School Library Association Information Book Award – a selection of books which reflect both current trends in publishing and the issues children are concerned with. There are three age groups represented and these lists are an excellent way of keeping up with the best new nonfiction titles.

The Dam by David Almond and Levi Pinfold on BBC Radio4 – this sounds an absolute treat. “In a programme resonant with birdsong, running streams, sighing trees, leaping salmon and first-person testimonial, this is a story about the reservoirs of music, poetry and song in us all.”  To be broadcast on Sunday 26th April at 4.30pm.

The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris due in October – the long awaited sibling to the marvellous The Lost Words will be published on 1st  October. This article tells us more about its creation.

Herts Primary English Weekly Blog  – the first in a new series, this includes wonderful teaching ideas, CPD suggestions & news to support in school (or adapt for home). This week’s includes a whole school book study resource for a real favourite, The Tear Thief.

Book Share Time – this website created by Cecile Ferreira is a fabulous resource for searching for picture books by theme, language content, narrative style etc. Thank you to Jon Biddle and James Clements for sharing the details this week.

Year 3 Top 100 Recommended Reads – Scott Evans ( The Reader Teacher) has created this list of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, picture books, graphic novels, classics and newly published titles too. Complete with printable display poster and checklist to use in the classroom.

Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Teacher Book Reviews – Primary Advisory Teacher Jonny Rodgers reviews Corey’s Rock by Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Jane Ray (Otter-Barry Books). I loved this book when I read and reviewed it a while ago and feel that it deserves more attention. Perhaps this video review will tempt you.

When the Pandemic Came to Town by Clare Vanderpool –  “What can we learn from the good citizens of Manifest, who lived this experience before us? What would they tell us?” The Newbury Medal winning children’s book, Moon over Manifest set over one hundred years ago has a particular relevance at the moment.  A thoughtful article.

I wish more people would read … The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith – this lovely article by Alison Flood made me want to reread this, one of my own childhood favourites.

World Book Day World of Stories – thank you to Ben Harris for alerting me to the wide range of high quality children’s audiobooks still freely available on this website at the moment.

Lastly a couple of reviews that caught my eye…

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape From East Germany by Kristen Fulton & Torben Kuhlmann – Paul Watson’s review of “ an almost perfect picturebook” definitely made me want to find out more. This sounds like an excellent addition to primary school bookshelves.

The Bird Within Me by Sara Lundberg translated by B J Epstein – this wonderful review by Mathew Tobin of a picture book based on the paintings, letters and diaries of the Swedish artist Berta Hansson has persuaded me to order a copy.

That’s all for this week. Happy reading!





 

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Fabulous Nonfiction for Children from Flying Eye Books

Posted on April 20, 2020 by alibrarylady

The best nonfiction for children combines detailed information and attractive presentation to create a package that invites children to learn while still being an important part of their reading for pleasure. Flying Eye Books achieve this with these two wonderful new books exploring the world’s oceans.

Professor Astro Cat’s Deep Sea Voyage by Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman 

Visually appealing and bursting with facts and information the latest offering in this popular series exploring our world is perfect for budding naturalists. Suitable for both browsing and for finding out this deserves a place on all primary school and family bookshelves.

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Professor Astro Cat and his team explore the aquatic world from the seashore to the ocean floor discovering a wonderland of fascinating life hidden within its waters in this enjoyable and informative book. As the reader accompanies the feline professor’s team on their adventures they will learn where the oceans came from, what exactly a coral reef is and meet sharks, jellyfish, seabirds and a plethora of other creatures besides.

The opening pages feature an area already familiar to some children, the beach. However the seashore hides secrets under rocks and in the shallows and this introduction will capture the reader’s interest. The book then moves through the formation of the oceans, how they are mapped and then investigates life in the many different areas of the world showing the enormous diversity of life found in the sea. Topics such as food chains and tectonic plates are included providing an informative introduction to these subjects.  This is all presented in an extremely child friendly manner with the use of coloured text boxes, bite sized facts and wonderful illustrations that include a touch of humour. However there is no suggestion of ‘dumbing down’ to the audience with scientific vocabulary used and a large amount of information to absorb.

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There is plenty to pore over on each page giving this lovely book real browsing appeal. The final pages provide details of the current dangers to the oceans and what people can do to help the situation. There is a helpful glossary covering some of the language that may be unfamiliar and a useful index too. This book would be equally useful as a reference for topic or homework as for pleasure. A fabulous book for a wide age range, this is highly recommended.

Obsessive About Octopuses by Owen Davey 

The latest addition to this best selling animal themed series looks at this curious creature found in the seas all over the world and is full of enough facts to answer the questions of even the most obsessive fan. Did you know that there are approximately 300 species of octopus? I certainly didn’t but now I know this and much more besides. A fact filled exploration of the lives of these creatures and their habitat presented in a format that will appeal to children of primary school age.

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The stylish presentation gives this information book high shelf appeal and just like the previous books in the series provides a detailed insight into the lives of a particular animal with both detailed text and stunning illustrations. Did you know that the octopus is closely related to a slug? Or that it had a beak like a bird? That an octopus named the “Flapjack Octopus” exists? Fascinating facts such as these are the type of information that children latch on to and share. This is, in a similar way to the Astro Cat title, a book that lends itself to browsing. In school libraries children often share books such as this together during leisurely lunch time reading and I can imagine young readers delighting in telling others that the octopus has a brain shaped like a doughnut or that ruby octopuses appear to have individual personalities, some being passive and others aggressive. I am now imagining a stroppy octopus!

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There is a section about the conservation of octopuses and how we can help them survive and finally an index listing all the different varieties of octopus listed and described. The endpapers are made up of a multitude of images of octopuses of various types, these are particularly striking against the black background.

Both of these books were published in March and are available to purchase. I would like to thank Flying Eye Books for providing my review copies.





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

Posted on April 18, 2020 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to another look back at the latest children’s book news. There is still a lot happening, new books, online activities and events and people supporting each other with ideas and resources. I hope you find something here to help or inspire.

What I’m reading…

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There are some fabulous nonfiction titles available for children at the moment and this week I read and reviewed an excellent example. Survival in Space: The Apollo 13 Mission by David Long illustrated by Stefano Tambellini. This will engage, inform and inspire young readers keeping them gripped to the final page.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kirsty Applebaum’s debut The Middler last year so was looking forward to reading her latest book. I was not disappointed, TrooFriend is another powerful and perceptive story that encourages the reader to question the true meaning of friendship and what makes us human. 

My lockdown comfort read this week was Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer. If you like Tom’s Midnight Garden you may enjoy this. It explores how people’s lives are interlinked over time and questions feelings of identity. A lovely, thoughtful read. 

More resources for schools and families…

Webinar: Shadowing The Carnegie Greenaway Awards – Find out how to how to engage in online shadowing activity, as well as exploring tried and tested techniques to get the most from participating in the CILIP Shadowing Scheme in this free webinar on 21st April. Registration required.

Picture Book Author Events Online – Caryl Hart’s brilliant calendar of events is regularly updated and is definitely worth a regular visit. Lots of great links that are wonderful to share with children at home.

Puffin Publishers Offer ‘at home’ Activities –  The UK children’s book publisher brings authors, illustrators and stories directly into children’s homes. This article provides links to the range available, suitable for teachers, librarians and families.

Children’s story book released to help children and young people cope with COVID-19 – A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector. The book, My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!”, is available in six language versions and free to download. 

News from the world of children’s books…

Cressida Cowell’s Tenure as Children’s Laureate Extended to June 2022 – the announcement was made that the wonderful Cressida will be in the role for an extra year to make sure she has time to carry out all of her amazing plans. Great news!

What the Moomins Creator Can Teach Us About Small Worlds – this article by Melissa Harrison gives an insight into Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book.  A book about people on a tiny island off Finland, living together with tact, grace and delightful attention to their surroundings.

Just Imagine Latest Reviews – an excellent way to keep up to date with the latest children’s books, there are lots of new reviews from the expert teacher review panel.

Little Angel Theatre – I Want My Hat Back – this is wonderful. Watch Ian Nicholson and Samuel Wilde’s puppet-filled adaptation of Jon Klassen’s beautiful picture book ‘I Want My Hat Back’. It was shown live over the Easter weekend and is still available for a few more days. Don’t miss it!

Reading Joy in the Time of Coronavirus – an interesting article by Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer, for The School Library Journal about reading under quarantine, giving tips for those who have lost reading enthusiasm.

The greatest children’s books that hit the spot for young and old, as chosen by Alan Titchmarsh, Jilly Cooper, Ian Rankin and more – article for Country Life magazine. Suggestions range from Peter Rabbit to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.

First Chapter Books Recommendations – Books for Topics selection of fun, short, colour-illustrated chapter books that bridge the gap between reading scheme books and longer chapter books.

Great Lives – Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson – Fantastical in their adventures but rooted in reality and humanity, Frank Cottrell-Boyce champions the creator of Mooninvalley who poured her fascinating life into her books in this BBC Radio4 programme available as a podcast.

Tomie dePaola obituary – Julia Eccleshare looks back at the life of children’s author and illustrator whose Strega Nona books delighted generations of readers.

Book Trust Pyjamarama Moves to Friday May 1st – To celebrate the bedtime story and reading together, this year’s Pyjamarama will be a day when families across the country can join in a festival of story-filled fun at home. There’ll be lots of new activities for children and fantastic ideas for things to do on the day. 

Finally some reviews that caught my eye this week …

Bunnies on the Bus by Philip Armagh and Ben Mantle – ‘Youngsters will love joining in with the repeated phrases and rhymes in the text. It is so much fun to read aloud and lends itself to a bit of a sing song!’ This lovely review on My Book Corner made me smile so no doubt the book will too.

Where the Wilderness Lives by Jess Butterworth, artwork by Rob Biddulph – described as a “brilliant adventure full of family bonds, tentative friendships, excitement, emotion, natural wonder and most of all heart.” by Rachael at Bellis Does Books this sounds great.

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson – Olivia Mitchell’s review for The Bookbag has made me want to read this: “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.”

That’s all for this week. Happy reading!

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TrooFriend by Kirsty Applebaum

Posted on April 17, 2020 by alibrarylady

Kirsty Applebaum’s follow up to her original and acclaimed debut, The Middler, is another perceptive and powerful story. A book that encourages the reader to question the true meaning of friendship and what makes us human. Highly recommended.

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Sarah is unimpressed when instead of the dog she hoped for her busy parents buy her a brand new Jenson and Jenson TrooFriend 560 Mark IV to keep her company. How can a robot be a proper friend? When Ivy, as Sarah names her new companion, starts tidying her bedroom for her Sarah starts to see possible advantages and plans to impress her classmates with Ivy on Bring Your Tech to School Day. However, gradually and subtly the relationship between the android and Sarah changes with implications for everyone.

The narration by Ivy of the story has considerable impact on the reader. Initially there are moments of humour that are entertaining and amusing but gradually and subtly the voice of Ivy changes. The reader is therefore slightly ahead of Sarah in the recognition of this which adds to the tension and the emotional involvement. This is a book to which the cliche ‘I couldn’t put it down’ definitely applies. As Ivy slowly acquires human characteristics and  reactions you develop a sympathy and care for a robot character. This is cleverly done and, for me at least, unexpected.

Sarah also develops as the situation around her changes growing in empathy and understanding. Children will easily identify with Sarah’s difficulties at school. Eager to fit in and be accepted by others Sarah can sometimes be thoughtless and unkind and this raises moral questions that Kirsty Applebaum deals with deftly and in a manner that young readers will find engaging.  The growing unease of both Sarah’s parents and the wider community as the story of the Jenson and Jenson company’s actions is spread via the media is both interesting and relevant.

This is an intelligent story that lends itself to further discussion and thought. I anticipate that it will be used in schools to engage pupils in work on ethics and social studies. This is a fascinating and extremely enjoyable read for a wide audience. Just like The Middler before it I found this both enthralling and refreshingly different.

I should like to thank Nosy Crow Publishers and Clare Hall-Craggs very much for my review copy. The artwork for the stunning cover is by Sam Kalda. TrooFriend is out now and available to purchase online

If you think the concept for this story sounds far fetched you may find this article from the Independent interesting: How Robot Carers Could be the Future for Lonely Elderly People. 





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Survival in Space: The Apollo 13 Mission by David Long illustrated by Stefano Tambellini

Posted on April 14, 2020 by alibrarylady

This retelling of the story of the memorable moon mission by David Long, winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2017 – Best Books with Facts for Survivors, will engage, inform and inspire young readers keeping them gripped to the final page. It vividly conveys the tension and the danger experienced by those involved whilst also demonstrating the importance of teamwork when attempting to overcome what may appear to be insurmountable obstacles.  Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission  this is a wonderful example of quality nonfiction for children.

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‘The explosion had made a huge hole in one of the oxygen tanks, and the gas inside it was leaking out fast. When Jim Lovell looked out of the window, he saw the jet of oxygen shooting out into space, but he knew there was nothing the crew could do to plug the hole or to stop the oxygen escaping.
One of the other astronauts, Jack Swigert, quickly sent a radio message to Mission Control: “Houston, we’ve had a problem.”’ 

This quote, or in fact the misquote “Houston, we have a problem” was immortalised in the well known film of this famous historical event starring Tom Hanks in the 1990s. However those of us of a certain age may well remember the actual moment itself and how the plight of the astronauts thousands of miles from earth kept adults and children at the time glued to the TV hoping for their safe return. David Long has so successfully captured the build up to the accident and the manner in which the astronauts and the NASA team dealt with the aftermath that young readers will experience the same nail biting tension that I did as a child 50 years ago.

David Long provides a background to the build up of the 1960s space race with the history of flight itself and the gradual development of space exploration pioneered by the USA and the Soviet Union, as it was then. The information is conveyed in a excellent, readable manner with, for example, the sizes and power of the rockets described in relation to items familiar to children such as famous landmarks or objects such as racing cars. This makes the concepts discussed more meaningful and understandable to the reader. The illustrations by Stefano Tambellini are great, providing detail to support the text and drawn in a style similar to a graphic novel giving the book added appeal. 

This is an immensely readable book whilst still being full of information and detail. It would, I think, be perfect for kindling an interest in this subject in children because although nonfiction this is also about people and how they worked together as a team in a time of trouble.

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

Barrington Stoke have produced some excellent resources linked to the book that would be great for children at home at present and useful for teachers to share when schools reopen. These include Build Your Own Rocket!  a Creative Writing prompt and a quiz.

If you would like to get a feel for the book the first chapter is available to read here:



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

Posted on April 11, 2020 by alibrarylady

Hello and welcome to another look back at the recent children’s book news. Easter feels very different this year. Normally it is one of my favourite times of the year, a time spent with family and full of anticipation for the coming spring and summer. We are all slowly learning to live with our changed circumstances and although we are separated from our family and close friends we know we are playing our part in making it possible for us to be reunited sooner rather than later. Some of us are able to come together online in our shared love of books which, I hope, will help a little.

What I’m reading…

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This week I have read and reviewed Toto The Ninja Cat and The Superstar Catastrophe by Dermot O’Leary illustrated by Nick East an action packed adventure, full of humour and a real mood lifter of a book. A Bad Day for Jayden by Tony Bradman is a thoughtful look at a day in the life of a young carer and is sensitively told. This would be an excellent addition to school library and classroom shelves. Finally I also read and enjoyed TrooFriend by Kirsty Applebaum. This book left me with plenty to think about as it touches on several important themes such as ethics, what makes us human and the true meaning of friendship. My review will be on the blog when I’ve collected my thoughts.

New book related resources for children staying at home…

I am updating Reading for Pleasure – Resources to Help Children Enjoy Books at Home on a regular basis and would like to highlight some excellent new additions here:

Coronavirus: A Book for Children – Publishers Nosy Crow have produced a free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, with expert input. This is excellent & can be downloaded via the link above.

Hay Festival Programme for Schools Free Events Online – Watch authors from Hay Festival Programme for Schools filmed over the last 3 years. There are 55 fun filled and inspiring events to choose from including Ade Adepitan, Gemma Cairney, Emma Carroll, Eoin Colfer, Julian Clary, Abi Elphinstone and Andy Stanton.

Art with Clara Vulliamy – Author and illustrator Clara Vulliamy has started sharing entertaining art and drawing activities on her YouTube channel based on the characters from her much loved books.

#LibrariesFromHome brought to you by Libraries Connected – amongst the range of digital resources available are the excellent online rhyme times, story times and lego clubs that keep children engaged and support early literacy and creative thinking.

News from the world of children’s books…

Coram Beanstalk Help Share a Love of Reading – Although Beanstalk volunteers can’t be in schools right now, the charity want to continue to share a love of reading with as many people as possible. They have created a downloadable picture which you and/or your children can print off, colour-in and display proudly in the window!

CILIP Launch Daily National Shelf Service – Professional librarians recommending great e-books the whole family can enjoy together. Each day a different librarian showcases a book to tempt readers of all ages. Why not catch up with those you may have missed?
South Wales Evening Post Children’s Book Reviews – Zoe James – Williams’ article includes a magical Venetian middle grade adventure, two fascinating non fiction books for budding eco warriors and and an inspiring historical coming-of-age drama.

Book Clinic: Which books help kids with Asperger’s to Understand Others – Award-winning children’s book writer Jasbinder Bilan picks tales of exploration and empowerment in this article for the Guardian.

A Dystopian Landscape Minerva Reads – Clare Zinkin looks for hope in dystopia in this selection of children’s books in her excellent blogpost.

UKLA Book Awards Shortlists Announced – 2020 saw the introduction of new judging criteria in the only national book awards which are judged by teachers. The judges have risen to the challenge and produced UKLA’s most diverse lists ever, with small imprints dominating the selections in each of the four categories.

New Books Book Trust Love This April – Whether they’re a teeny toddler or a very particular teen, this is where you can find the children in your life’s next amazing book, helpful selections for a range of ages.

Children’s Book Award Ceremony Postponed – The organisers have made the decision to postpone this year’s ceremony and winners announcement from June to 10th October. With many schools and all libraries shut, they have extended voting to 11th September. There is more time for children to read the books and vote using the link above.

CILIP announces changes to the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals timeline – The winners of the 2020 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals will still be announced on the 17th June 2020 via a media announcement, but the Shadowing period is extended until the end of October 2020 and the award ceremony will now coincide with Libraries Week.

Books to use in RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) in Year 6 – a post of tips & titles to deliver relationships & sex education to your child in the absence of school to help by Jo Cummins.

Young Adult Books Roundup – Fiona Noble reviews the latest titles for teen readers including a dark detective adventure, a prophetic dragon and a prison breakout.

Finally some reviews that caught my eye this week…

Planet SOS by Marie G.Rhode – this new title brings to life the global environmental crisis for young eco-warriors in a whole new way. “A fantastic book full of inspiration and practical ideas – a great addition to any boookshelf” says @thebookactivist

The Garden of Inside Outside” by Chiara Mezzalama, Regis Lejonc with translation by Sarah Ardizzone – “A truly unique picture book, wrought in graphic novel style but with a beautiful yet simple message conveyed about hope and sanctuary amidst a country in upheaval” says @readitdaddy in his wonderful review.

The Thirteenth Home of Noah Bradley by Amber Lee Dodd – several people have recommended this book so I was already tempted but this review by Joy Court for LoveReading4Kids has finally clinched it: “This highly readable tale really does have the perfect blend of social realism, thrilling adventure and a supernatural mystery to solve.”

I hope that you have enjoyed this look back at the week and are able to enjoy some reading over the coming days. Happy Easter book chums.

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