The Knights of the Drop-Leaf Table are excited…they’re going on a quest. With the rules agreed, the points scoring decided and the lure of a royal prize for the winner, it’s time to hop aboard their less-than-trusty steeds and go questing. Can they return with dragon’s heads, treasure, swords, amulets and damsels in distress? Or will Mrs Spunge’s delicious sandwiches be the real prize…
Kaye Umansky serves up a pun-filled, laugh-out-loud parody of King Arthur and his noble Knights of the Round Table. Camelot is replaced by Llamalot. King Artie and Queen Gwinny rule. And a group of knights - Sir Prancelot, Sir Gary, Sir Bore de Gannet, Sir Percy, Sir Tralahad and Sir Angela (she’s a girl in disguise) - sit precariously around a drop-leaf table that is prone to collapsing at any moment. Expect more laughs than lances, knights that are better at quarrelling than questing and steeds that are more dopey donkeys as opposed to noble neigh-ers.
The whole thing bursts with warm humour, comedic situations and is full of ‘Sir Prise’s.’ Horse’s with unique ‘qualities’ are a nightmare, feisty damsels prove not so easy to rescue, waiting for swords to appear is all a bit boring, dragon slaying is problematic when they look so cute and collecting magic amulets is difficult when dealing with hooded strangers. Oh, and truth-be-told, our brave knights would really rather be back at the castle eating sandwiches.
Umansky’s brilliant storytelling and Ben Whitehouse’s awesome illustrations are a winning combination. There’s even some fabulous bonus content too; a cast list at the beginning and an amusing ballad by the musical Sir Tralahad ensure laughs from first page to last. True to Barrington Stoke form, it is printed in dyslexia friendly font and on tinted paper ensuring the book can be accessed by every child. Recommended for 8+.
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How would you describe your eyes?
One young Asian girl’s eyes are different to those of the other children. They are not ‘sapphire lagoons with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns.’ Instead, her eyes are like her mama’s and her grandmother’s and her younger sister’s. They are ‘eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.’ They are eyes with lashes that ‘curve like the swords of warriors.’ They are eyes filled with stories of the past and hopes for the future. They are her eyes and they are beautiful… Filled with family, warmth, happiness and love, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a breathtakingly beautiful ode to Asian eyes. Told in a rich mix of prose, similes and metaphors and featuring stunning Chinese imagery, this love letter of self acceptance and learning to love yourself is a wonderful celebration of the diversity in our facial features.
In a world so often perpetuated by hate, it was heart-warming, comforting and reassuring to have a young girl whose self-esteem and confidence is firmly in place. Our passionate and proud narrator happily talks about her eyes and everything that is wonderful about them, her Asian heritage and love for who she is bursting from every page. She basks in the joy of the three generations of family members who she shares the same eyes with; mama whose eyes are filled with love and laughter, Amah’s eyes that are filled with knowledge and stories, and a younger sister’s eyes that are filled with adoration and admiration.
Books that celebrate diversity and empower children to embrace everything that makes them the unique individuals that they are are priceless. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a perfect picture book; absolutely gorgeous and with a meaningful and powerful message. This lesson in self-love and the importance of celebrating and acknowledging family and heritage is an essential book to have on the shelves. Recommended for 4+.
A famous life and legacy is made accessible to all in this brilliant historical recount.
Ancient Egypt…a land of pharaohs, treasure and lavish burial tombs. The son of Amenhotep and Kiya - one of the pharaoh’s senior wives, one King was to become more famous than all the others, his name…Tutankhamun. His rule and life may have only lasted a small number of years but the discovery of a hidden burial tomb full of riches more than three thousand years after his death has ensured that the story of the boy who would be King has been etched into the history books for all of time… Vividly retold and sumptuously illustrated, the story of one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs is brought to life in these fabulous pages. Using the information surrounding the life of Tutankhamun and the thrilling discovery of a treasure-filled burial tomb - his final resting place, Sally Morgan weaves the facts into a dramatic non-fiction narrative. Thoroughly immersing readers into this most interesting period of history are James Weston Lewis’ fabulous illustrations that bring pharaohs, tombs and treasures to life.
Spanning thousands of years, readers are initially taken back in time to 3100 BCE when the kingdom of Ancient Egypt was a rich and prosperous land ruled by Kings known as pharaohs, then onto to the birth of Tutankhamun in 1341 BCE and finally to Howard Carter’s discovery of the famous burial tomb in 1922. Short paragraphs of information tell children everything they need to know and cover all of the key information; the troubled reign of Amenhotep ,Tutankhamun’s short life, his burial, the digs of Howard Carter, the finding of the tomb and of course, the treasures that lay inside.
Some lovely additional extras at the end include a portrait gallery of key characters with accompanying notes and a further look at some of the treasures and artefacts that Egyptologist Howard Carter and his team removed from the tomb. Should you wish to see these items for yourself then they can be found at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, ‘where they can be seen in all their glittering glory.’ Like Tutankhamun’s burial tomb, this is a treasure-trove of delights and I enjoyed reading it almost as much as Carter and Lord Carnarvon enjoyed finding their own piece of history. Recommended for 7+.
Usborne produce brilliant non-fiction books for children and this addition to the ‘All About’ series is an absolute delight.
Imagine what the world would be like if everyone was exactly the same. If we all wore the same clothes, ate the same food, looked the same, had the same pets, played the same games, had identical families. Pretty boring, right. Luckily, the world is made up of billions of people who are all unique, different and special. This is called diversity and it is a wonderful and beautiful thing… In a joyous celebration of the traits that make us all the unique individuals that we are, All About Diversity is a book that all children should experience to help them understand, respect and value differences of every kind. Every child deserves to see themselves and their life represented in a book and this is the purpose here. It is wonderfully delivered in a fun and engaging manner with kindness and equality shining on every single page. This is the perfect tool for introducing children to the big subject of diversity and why it is important. Through a variety of topics ranging from bodies and brains to families and food to celebrations and clothing to looks and language, children are gently educated as they learn all about recognising, accepting, valuing and celebrating their fellow humans.
Beginning with a question or statement, each double spread is a beauty, showcasing the uniqueness of all different adults and children. Simple wording explains everything clearly and in a way that is appropriate and relatable to children, speech bubbles add some wonderful personality and insights to the diverse cast of characters and the colourful illustrations are brilliant - you could easily spend hours looking and chatting about each page. Aiding this conversation are question prompts, which appear on most pages, that encourage discussion and provide the opportunity for children to reflect on their own lives.
All About Diversity is a brilliant book for adults and children to share together. It is a valuable resource to always have on the shelf as it could be dipped into and used as children experience different situations. It provides the answers to many of the questions and wonderings that children will have about the people they meet and seamlessly develops empathy and enhances understanding. A glossary of ‘diversity words’ and brilliant ‘notes for grown-ups’ are included at the end; the notes are superb and are full of useful and practical advice that will help to continue and scaffold these important conversations. In an incredibly diverse world, the need for children to grow-up being respectful and aware of others whose experiences and lives are different to their own is paramount. All About Diversityis a wonderful starting point that shares the most valuable of messages. Diversity is awesome! Recommended for 5+.
The experience of starting a new school where the challenges are aplenty is captured perfectly in this beautiful picture book.
Dressed in her yellow wellies and pink coat, Shu Lin is not like the other children at her new school. At playtime she stands alone on the playground, watching the others play. At lunchtime she eats strange food from brightly coloured boxes by herself. It isn’t easy being the new kid in class. But when her grandfather comes to school to share his paintings, everything changes… Settling in at a new school is never easy but it becomes much more challenging when language is a barrier and unfamiliar culture and customs cause a stir amongst classmates. Naturally, the children in Shu Lin’s class are curious about their new classmate; straight-talking and outspoken Barney questioning why she doesn’t play with the others and how she could possibly eat a lunch that he has never seen the likes of before. One class member does understand though, narrator Dylan gently recalls his first day at school and how he struggled to feel at home at the start. When Grandpa shares his art with the class, bridges are formed, boundaries tumble and young people are connected. No words are needed, for the power of art is enough as drawings and paintings reveal their own stories.
And what gorgeous art it is. Yu Rong’s emotion-filled artwork captures so many moments perfectly and easily place the reader into Shu Lin’s nervous shoes. Look closer and you are richly rewarded with so many subtle details to spot: Shu Lin holding chopsticks; a panda that repeatedly appears; the teacher holding a red fan; the individuality of the class members portrayed through hair styles, the things they hold whilst sitting on the carpet and their lunchboxes at lunchtime. As for the ‘STUNNING double-gatefold spread’ of a Chinese scene…wonderful.
Matt Goodfellow’s gentle words tell a story that will resonate with many children and provides an important window into the experience of others for those that have never had difficulty fitting in. With themes of empathy, inclusivity and cultural understanding running throughout and shining as brightly as a Chinese lantern, Shu Lin’s Grandpa is an important book to have on the shelves. Recommended for 4+.
Rosa’s mind is full of questions. Why do bees hum? Who invented doughnuts? Are some dinosaurs alive? The answers will surely lie in the books at the local library but when Rosa gets there the doors are closed and the builders are moving in. Rosa and her sister, Maria, try everything they can think of to bring the community together to fight for the library but with people too busy to care and join the campaign and the men in suits not willing to listen, can Rosa’s little voice be the voice of change…
I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if my local library closed down. I visit it most days and this very book has been borrowed from there. I love exploring all of the new books, seeing the familiar, friendly faces of the staff and stopping for a quick chat. A local library brings people together, it’s a community within a community and a joyous one at that. And when Rosa’s community faces losing their library she is determined to fight for it. A story about children taking action, a wonderfully diverse community coming together, and a fight for change against the powers that be…love, love, love it. People power and peaceful protest triumphs in this beautifully illustrated picture book that delivers the always relevant and important message that anyone can make a difference.
Rosa’s story is an all too familiar one in recent times as libraries disappear from communities at an alarming rate. However, Rosa’s story is also full of hope. Hope that people care about their local library. Hope that shines through the young people who have the fire burning bright in their bellies to fight for change. If just a few children are empowered and inspired by Rosa’s efforts then it might just keep these essential community hubs open.
The illustrations are fabulous, each one providing a look into Rosa’s community. The final pages depicting the library as a thriving hub being enjoyed by the community members made my heart sing - this is why we need our libraries. I have to mention the endpapers too, look closely as they hold their own important message. Children are never too young to learn and understand that no matter how small and unheard they feel, they have the power to make a difference and to fight for change. And Jake Alexander introduces these big themes in an accessible way through a subject matter that children of all ages will be able to relate to and hopefully care about. A wonderful ode to the importance of libraries, the joys and strength in communities coming together and the power of the younger generations to bring about change. Recommended for 5+.
What would you discover if you were to cut open a microwave, a bee hive, a refrigerator, a printer, a bowling alley, a toilet, a pencil, or even a vending machine? The answer…a rather extraordinary inside. While these things may all look fairly simple on the outside, dig a little bit deeper and there are some really cool and rather impressive inner workings at play. It’s time to peel back the ordinary and reveal the extraordinary…
Children are naturally curious and love to take things apart so what could be better than having a book that celebrates ‘inner-workings.’ I have previously read Thing Explainer which sets out to explain ‘complicated stuff in simple words’ and whilst it does exactly what it sets out to do I found it a little heavy going and the information overload would certainly place a heavy demand on younger readers. What Inner Workings offers is an accessible, engaging and educational read that is perfect for those young minds that are knowledge-hungry and keen to know more. From Bushel & Peck - the brilliant publishing house whose generosity and mission to get more books into the hands of those in need sees them donate a book in return for every book sold - comes a fantastic STEM-filled treat for inquisitive minds. Inner Workings: The Extraordinary Insides of Ordinary Things takes children inside everyday objects and machines to uncover what is going on beneath the surface and reveals the secrets of how things work. Featuring both man-made and natural objects, this ‘inner-working’ deep-dive gives readers the low-down on everything from bee hives to ant colonies, baseballs to paint brushes, toasters to coffee machines, air hockey tables to fair ground carousels.
It is such a cool book and will have children keenly reaching for the tools to dismantle anything and everything to find out what is inside. The whole thing is written and illustrated to appeal to kids with vibrant artwork popping and zinging off of a black background and with fun facts and fascinating information throughout that showcases the intricacies of everyday items. Short and precise technical explanations and incredible cross-sections and exploded diagrams provide readers with everything they need to know about mechanisms, structures and processes. Personal favourites are locks, fireworks, the soft-serve machine and the hornet's nest.
Just the ticket to spark curiosity and one that budding inventors, engineers and scientists should most definitely read. Recommended for 9+.
Microbes are everywhere. In the air, in the ground, in the ocean, on objects, on the body, in fact there are even some inside you. You’d find them incredibly difficult to spot though as they are so small that one billion could fit onto a full stop! Some can be harmful but most of them are harmless and many of them are actually very helpful. It’s time to put microbes under the microscope…
Join Dr Emily Grossman for a fun, friendly, fascinating and fact-filled look at microbes. Featuring clearly explained bite-sized chunks of text, colourful illustrations and playful and funny characters, Meet the Microbes is a superb introduction to some very important microorganisms. Expertly exploring microbes in a non-scary and engaging way, it helps young learners and curious minds understand how weird, wonderful and essential microbes really are.
Along the learning journey children will discover all about marvellous microbes, including: where they can be found; helpful and naughty ones; the differences between bacteria, viruses and fungi; their incredible growing abilities; microbes in food; uses in science; microbes and the body and useful advice on keeping safe from the pesky and harmful ones.
To steal the last line of the book from Dr Emily, ‘Isn’t the world of microbes really rather INCREDIBLE?’ Recommended for 6+.
They say that ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend.’ The truth is, they may not be anybody’s friend after taking in this nightmarish story.
Mama is heading out for the night with Uncle Winston. She is dressed up and ready to go and as she adds the final sparkling touches to her appearance, little Carolina has some questions that need answering. Are the diamond earrings expensive? Where did the diamonds come from? And if housekeeper Amina comes from a land littered in diamonds then why is she not rich… The dark underbelly of the diamond industry is explored in this thought-provoking and challenging story. Apart from the initial conversation between daughter and mama, the journey of diamonds from the mines of Africa to jewellery store to consumer is told entirely through Armin Greder’s hard-hitting and sometimes upsetting visuals. In conditions reminiscent of slavery, workers using nothing but their bare hands, shovels and pickaxes remove the diamonds from the ground before they are claimed by armed militia and moved through a supply chain where corruption rules and morals are non-existent. Money is exchanged and deals are done before the precious gems finally make their way into the hands of jewellers and are sold to a rich clientele in the form of necklaces, earrings, rings and brooches.
The whole injustice of the process is shocking and this is the whole point of telling the story as it raises awareness about the appalling trade of something associated with glamour, beauty and elegance. The reality of the diamond trade and the inequality between those who suffer to satisfy the wealthy will challenge all and will hopefully encourage everyone to think about the choices they make, diamond-related or otherwise, to ensure that they are never knowingly responsible in any way for the suffering of others.
Raw, honest and pulls no punches, diamonds may not be so shiny and sort-after after reading this. Powerful, powerful stuff. Recommended for 9+.
The fair is in town, bringing with it dazzling lights, sweet aromas and carnival music. It is not just the adults and the children that are excited. Once darkness falls and the lights are turned off and everyone goes home for the night, some unexpected visitors arrive for their turn. A pull of the lever and the ‘Midnight Fair’ is awakened from its slumber. It’s time for the woodland creatures to have some fun…
The fun and magic of the fair come to life in this simply stunning and gorgeously illustrated wordless picture book as a whole host of furry friends gather for a very special midnight outing. In one magical night and through one wondrous story, children are immersed into the most fantastic of nocturnal worlds that dreamily suggests what animals get up to whilst the humans are fast asleep. It is a thing of absolute joy that bursts with warmth, charm and good times as the group enjoy everything that the humans did earlier on in the day; squirrels spin round in tea-cups, deers whizz by on chair-swings, bears and raccoons ride a rollercoaster, hedgehogs zip around in dodgems, paws are read, ducks are hooked, cuddly toys are claimed, fish are won (to the bemusement of the wolf who receives it - a poignant message is reserved for later), and pretzels, cotton candy, ice creams and popcorn are enjoyed by everyone.
I am in love with this fairground bonanza, there are so many little things to notice in the surreal and entertaining world. I love how the animals take on the role of stallholders and the variety of nature’s treasures - acorns, pinecones, flowers, seeds, berries, leaves and fungi - that are used as currency, all of which are left behind at the ticket office much to the puzzlement of a staff member. I have so many questions and wonderings too; I’m curious to know what flavour ice cream a bear would order and are badger’s scared of haunted houses.
Right from the start, and I mean the very start - the story begins and ends in the endpapers, the whole thing bursts with the wonderment, the excitement and the thrills of visiting the fair, each dazzling page providing its own visual feast of sights, sounds and smells. In this treat for the eyes, surprise after surprise is revealed with every turn of the page and with so much to notice and with various animals repeatedly popping up throughout it certainly warrants several readings/lookings. One hundred percent worth the admittance fee and a memorable night that children will want to experience time and time again. I know I’ll be going back soon. Recommended for 5+.
What are you? One little girl is lots of things. She is so many things in fact that she has not got enough words. She is a girl, a human, an animal. She is a daughter, a granddaughter and a mother to her cuddly toys. She can be mean and kind, shy and outgoing, mischievous and well-behaved. She is everything and so much more. She is proud of who she is and she wants the world to know it…
Inspired by a dehumanising real-life incident in which the author’s sister was asked the completely inappropriate and rather absurd question, ‘What are you?’ at a young age, What I Am provides an uplifting and heart-warming answer. Told in simple text, an American-Indian girl takes centre stage in issuing a series of joyous statements that identify her for who she is rather than just what can be seen. We are all so much more than simply our appearance, our identities are rich and complex. The girl is so many things, many of which contradict each other: she is scared when she hides from a storm but brave when she removes a bug for a terrified relative; she likes to play with friends but also likes to be alone, she enjoys looking at animals but gets nervous if they come too close; she can be selfish but generous too. She is like all of us, an individual with good traits and minor flaws, she is perfectly imperfect.
Empathy, kindness, inclusivity and a message for children to be themselves and to be proud of it fill the pages in this comforting and thought-provoking book of affirmations. Vibrant and colourful artwork adorns each and every page making every turn an absolute joy. Playful and often humorous - the girl declares she is a vegetarian whilst her two friends munch on pizza slices topped with meats - the girl is the kind of child that everyone would want to be friends with.
Teaching young children about identity and understanding others can be a challenge, a book like this certainly helps and, with the guidance of an adult, offers lots of opportunities for discussion around identify and how we treat others. Fantastic in every possible way, it is a fabulous celebration of what makes us all who we are and why each of us is a ‘unique, priceless, vital part of this world.’ Recommended for 4+.
Summer, the season of no school and for one young girl it means Lola is coming to visit. Summer with grandma is a whirlwind of wonderful smells and unbridled fun; Lola cooks mango jam, shares stories and sings songs in Tagalog. In return, Lola is taken to the beach, to firework displays and for morning fishing trips. But as summer turns to autumn and the return to school beckons it is time for Lola to say goodbye. The smells will go, happy memories left in their place…
Certain smells can conjure up all sorts of memories, feelings and emotions and this is the premise of When Lola Visits that uses the senses in a joyous celebration of family and the wonderful time spent with a relative who lives far-away. As a child, I used to live for the weekends away visiting an aunt and uncle and I can still vividly recall the smells of walking into their warm and welcoming home; freshly baked banana cake, steaks for dinner, sausage rolls in the morning - fresh out of the oven to be sold in their butcher’s shop, two golden retrievers, hair spray and the smokey fire burning in the lounge. For the little narrator, summer is all of the wonderful smells of times spent together when her Lola - the Filipino name for grandma - visits from the Phillipines. It is an absolutely gorgeous story and a beautiful celebration of the Filipino-American experience that is littered with Filipino foods, wonderful smells and the occasional Filipino word. Mouths will be left watering and noses tingling as the scents of mango jam, cassava cake, dried squid, sampaguita soap, chlorine, tennis balls, sun screen, banana leaves and warm summer rain fill the pages.
Whether children see themselves represented or it is a window into the life of another, it is so easy to relate granddaughter and grandmother. We all like having good times and making memories with family members, and when we do not see those relatives all that often the times spent together are even more special. You might even need the tissues for an ending that recognises the difficulties of having to say goodbye and the sadness at being apart from those we hold dear.
Told in rich and descriptive text and with fabulous emotion-filled illustrations, warmth, sweetness and love radiate from every single page, easily pulling the reader into this summertime experience. This feast of scents, tastes and traditions is a wonderful love-letter to summer written with the happiness that only a Lola can bring to a young life. Recommended for 5+.
Magpies need Marie Kondo-ing in this hilarious and very relatable picture book.
After laying four precious eggs in their newly built nest, magpies Meg and Ash decide to decorate it with some things to make it the absolute best. There’s lots of things to be found too; cuckoo clocks, socks, plastic pegs, a teddy bear, fairy lights, a pram and even a car. But as the nest becomes ever bigger and more precarious, the magpies might just find out the hard way that they have too much stuff… In a world of excessive consumerism, Emily Gravett serves up a fun and playful woodland tale that explores the problems of having ‘too much stuff.’ Hugely entertaining, readers will thoroughly enjoy the antics of the two magpies who just quite simply do not know when to stop and whose collecting of bigger and bigger objects has hilarious and near disastrous results. Humour, warmth, wit and charm fill every page of this clever, amusing and thought-provoking story that will have readers giggling from start to finish. I imagine many children will very much see themselves in the magpies and will be thinking all of the possessions they have in their own nests.
With fun and flowing rhyming prose and a cast of gorgeous woodland animals, it is a truly irresistible read that delivers important and timely messages. Knowing when enough is enough, reusing and repurposing, giving and sharing, and the problems with the desire to always have more all shine in a delightful eco-themed story. The magpies ultimately learning that the safety and nurturing of their chicks is far more important than material possessions. There’s even some helpful friends on hand to make use of the things that the birds no longer need.
It is worth reading for the endpapers alone that are filled with an another fabulous creation by Gravett, ‘STUFF magazine’, which advertises everything from a chocolate teapot to the softest sox to cleaning products - all of which the magpies collect for their nest. The clever Gravett has even snuck in a lesson on the 4 R’s of recycling and a call to borrow books from the local library, she’s popped some of her own books onto the shelves too. Brilliant! Recommended for 4+.
The ordinary and somewhat mundane everyday commute to work becomes a lot more interesting in this exceptional story that follows a rather dapper crocodile from his home to his very surprising place of employment (wait until the final page for the big reveal).
Every morning Mr. Crocodile is awoken by his alarm clock. Rising out of bed, he opens the curtains before brushing his teeth, getting dressed and then choosing the perfect tie to match his outfit. There’s just time for a mug of coffee and a slice of toast with jam and then he heads out of the door. On board a crowded train, he makes his way towards work. But where does he work? The answer is rather surprising… Full of wit, creativity and bursting with wonderful details, Professional Crocodile is an amazing wordless picture book with the most stunningly illustrated pictures and everyone should read it. I absolutely love picture books without words, they invite readers into a wonderful world, a world where they are left to imagine, to add words to the pictures, to make up their own stories, stories that can change and evolve with each and every reading. And you’ll definitely want to read Professional Crocodile more than once. Fun, beautiful, surprising and delightful, this is everything a picture book should be and it exudes European charm. As the loveable reptile joins the commute to work he experiences all of the small pleasures and frustrations; from busy streets, cramped underground trains and a puddle-soaking from a passing car to window shopping, buying a newspaper, and the delicious smells of rotisserie chicken, just-baked breads and cakes, and bouquets of fresh flowers.
The commute to work is such an interesting one, people (and in this case animals) heading off in all different directions and to different jobs but often displaying the same characteristics of human behaviour on the way to wherever; claiming territory in a lift, patiently queuing, zoning into their own worlds on a busy train. In a book where animals and humans peacefully co-exist, no-one thinks anything odd of the crocodile residing in the apartment building or wandering through the city. Mr Crocodile isn’t the only one either, closer scrutiny reveals more animals impersonating humans and going about their day.
A reptile he is but Mr Crocodile has plenty of human qualities. He gets angry when he is soaked by a car-driving commuter and he displays his empathy and kindness on many occasions; tipping his hat to a fellow lift user, gifting flowers to a lady whom he passes on the way to work and stopping to feed the birds in the park. Readers will take great pleasure in every moment spent with the most delightful of reptiles, speculating about what he is thinking as he goes about his day. Each new reading offers an opportunity to spot different things and imagine different events. Knowing the ending adds a further dimension to the story and had me quickly heading back to the start to re-read and adding new meaning to what I now knew. Utterly gorgeous. Recommended for 5+.
Mistress of Disguise, Ottoline Brown, and her partner in sleuthing, Mr Munroe, love figuring out puzzles and thinking up clever plans. There is nothing they cannot solve. When Big City falls victim to a spate of high-society dog-nappings and a string of jewel thefts, Ottoline and Mr Munroe go undercover in a bid to expose a clever scam thought up by the cunning and clever Yellow Cat…
Welcome to the madcap and outlandish world of the wonderfully weird but extremely clever Ottoline Brown. This first in a four book series is incredibly fun and delicisiouly weird as master-of-storytelling Chris Riddell invites us into a fantastical fantasy world of card-playing-talking-lap-dogs, a cat-burglar, a Norwegian bog monster and a bear hibernating in the laundry. Featuring fabulous pencil drawn illustrations that are packed with detail, Outline and the Yellow Cat is a read full of intrigue and mystery that is delivered through pages full of warmth, charm and wit. The irresistibly quirky adventure is told as much through Riddell’s illustrations as it is through the rich and most wonderful words. Even without the words, the treasure chest of artwork tells its own beautiful story and it is these that will have readers truly engrossed as they study floorpans, newspaper cuttings, missing posters and postcards home as they are drawn into Ottoline’s unconventional world through the various insights and clues about her life. Amongst other things, Ottoline lives in a house full of random collectibles, owns an Odd Shoe collection and likes eavesdropping on the conversations of her neighbours.
Ottoline is a character that children should spend time with. Put aside that she exists in a rather bizarre fictional world where her parents are off exploring the far corners of the globe and she stays at home with an abundance of lavish home help and with the eccentric Mr Munroe for company and you have a fantastic female role model. This is a girl who is kind-hearted, independent and strong-willed with an inquisitive mind and an aptitude for problem solving. More characters like Ottoline please!
This is a glorious tale. No one writes and illustrates like Chris Riddell! Recommended for 7+.
Two short stories, one awesome little package, and another lovely addition to Barrington Stoke’s Little Gems series of books for emerging and newly independent readers.
Quick thinking and cunning plans are needed when you’re faced with a very hungry bear and a bored and arrogant King who doesn’t really want to share his royal spoils. After Masha disobeys Granny’s advice and gets taken from the woods by Mr Bear she hopes to bake her way out of trouble. When the King organises a tournament to find the best liar, one little girl has a right royal whopper to tell but will the King fall for it and give up his Great Golden Belly-button…
Clever and crafty young female protagonists use their wits and creative thinking to get the better of more powerful foes in these modern fairytales with a twist. With some very tasty cupcakes, Masha has the perfect recipe for escaping from Mr Bear. And after talking the King into a tricky situation, Peggy takes home the riches. Packed with warmth and humour, the power of intelligence to solve a problem shines in both stories.
Michael Rosen’s brilliant storytelling and Ashley King’s charming illustrations are a winning combination in what is a fun and enjoyable read. There’s even some fabulous bonus content too; paths back to Granny’s house to untangle and riddles to solve can be found on the inside front and back covers. True to Barrington Stoke form, it is printed in dyslexia friendly font and on tinted paper ensuring the book can be accessed by every child. Recommended for 5+.
Holly Webb writes beautiful books for children so I was thrilled that she has joined up with Barrington Stoke to write a story for their Little Gems series - a delightful collection of early readers written by some of the finest children’s authors out there. The Beach Puppy is a cracking little story told over eight short chapters with manageable chunks of text and lots of fabulous illustrations that provide the perfect opportunity for young children to build up their reading stamina. There’s even some fabulous bonus content too; a spot the difference and kites to untangle can be found on the inside front and back covers.
Ruby is thrilled with the present her dad has brought home from the animal shelter…a sausage dog puppy called Coco. The two quickly become best friends. There’s more excitement too, a holiday at the beach. For Coco it means a whole new adventure of swimming, sandcastles, picnics, kites and lots of different smells and sounds. But when Ruby and Coco become separated, will the little dog be able to sniff her best friend out before the family go home… Oh what a fun and ever so slightly dramatic seaside story about a very loving family and the most adorable little sausage dog. Seaside holidays have a habit of throwing up the occasional panic-inducing event; pesky seagulls, strong winds; dangerous waters, being separated from those you love.
The trauma and panic of losing a pet or, in Coco’s case, losing your human, will immediately resonate with any child who has had the misfortune of a missing pet. Ruby’s emotions will be instantly recognisable to many and for those not familiar with the highs and lows of pet ownership, Ruby and Coco provide a wonderful little window into a very emotional world.
With themes of friendship, caring about others and the unconditional love between human and pet, this is a woofing delightful animal story. True to Barrington Stoke form, it is printed in dyslexia friendly font and on tinted paper ensuring the book can be accessed by every child. WIth huge thanks to the peeps at Barrington Stoke for this lovely book. Recommended for 5+
Two things I love - numbers and cool and quirky facts about everything. So a read that combines the two was always going to be a hit with me and I know it will appeal to lots of knowledge-hungry children too.
How Many Spots Has a Cheetah Got? The answer…approximately 2,000. Did you know that… the largest box of Crayola crayons has 120 colours? The most expensive birthday cake in the world cost 58 million pounds? 0 caretakers work at schools in Japan because children do the cleaning? How many amazing facts are waiting to be discovered in this book? Hundreds… Loaded with fun facts and awesome stats about every topic imaginable and all beautifully illustrated by Amber Davenport, this is a fantastic read for curious children. There’s tons to explore and discover through this smorgasbord of mind-blowing numbers. From fairgrounds to art, primates to birthdays, inventions to sports, caves to robots, there’s something for everyone in this brilliant assortment of number-based fun.
Some facts will blow minds, others are almost impossible to imagine, all are seriously impressive and are well worth sharing with anyone who will listen. Personal favourites are the two years it took a parrot to learn its address which came in very handy when it escaped, the twenty billion LEGO bricks that are manufactured each year (of which I buy a fair few thousand), the robot that can solve a Rubik’s cube in three seconds (makes my four minute achievement look embarrassingly slow) and the seventy-three questions that children ask their parents on average each day (expect this to increase significantly if they read this book).
Incredibly educational, highly enjoyable and very entertaining; How Many Spots Has a Cheetah Got? is facts and figures done right. A marvellous book. Recommended for 7+.
We have all heard of the story, perhaps even seen the movie, of the ship that hit the iceberg and sank to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. But there was another ship there that night, one that was no where near as big or as famous but one whose story is as equally as important as that of the Titanic.
April 1912 and two very different ships were setting sail on journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. One was the Titanic, a marvellous feat of engineering departing Southampton on its maiden voyage to New York. The other was Carpathia, a much smaller and quite unremarkable ship heading from New York to the Mediterranean. When the Carpathia received a distress call from the Titanic on the fateful night of April 14th it changed its course and embarked on a rescue mission to save lives…
Rescuing Titanic is the remarkable story of how the crew aboard an unspectacular and little-known ship deviated from their planned journey and undertook an incredible rescue mission to save over seven-hundred passengers and crew from the sinking Titanic. Offering a different perspective about the sinking of the unsinkable ship, this is a fabulous book about the ‘other boat’ that night. It is a story of brave heroes, selfless acts and a steely determination to help fellow men and women when all the odds were stacked against.
This is a treasure trove of information with the parallel stories of the Titanic and Carpathia exquisitely retold through a mixture of dual-narrative and explanations. Rich in detail and with breathtaking illustrations, readers are immersed into the freezing waters of the North Atlantic as the brave and heroic crew of the Carpathia risk everything, navigating treacherous ice fields in the darkness of night to reach the stricken super-liner. Author Flora Delargy’s approach is simple and straight forward, retelling the facts exactly as they were and it makes for a riveting read for both a younger audience and still being interesting enough and with a depth of information and insight to appeal to adults.
Before the two stories of the ships become intwined, information is presented on nautical life in the early twentieth century; the construction of the ships, crew members and passengers, navigation devices and communication methods all give readers a real sense of both vessels. As tragedy strikes, suspense, drama, panic and tension fill the pages as the Carpathia charges through the ocean in a race-against-time rescue mission. Adding to this sense of urgency, analogue clocks appear in each corner, painstakingly providing a minute-by-minute account of the action and the speed at which the drama unfolded.
In what was a tragic event, Delargy shines a beacon of hope amongst the heartbreak and hopelessness and offers a fitting tribute to Captain Rostron and his crew of brave souls aboard the Carpathia. A superb debut from an upcoming author/illustrator whose books I will continue to look out for in the future. Non-fiction perfection! Recommended for 9+.
They’ve brought us an engineer, an architect, a scientist and a future president, now Andrea Beaty and David Roberts introduce an illustrator to their fantastic series of picture books in the form of Aaron Slater.
Aaron Slater loves lots of things; flowers, painting, drawing. But what he love most of all is stories and he dreams of the day when he can write one. Before he can pen his own tales he must learn to read. Despite his best efforts, the words on the page just look like squiggles and soon the flamboyant and creative young boy is retreating into his shell. When his teacher asks the class to write a story, Aaron is beset with worry. How he can he tell a story if he cannot write the words down… Taking inspiration from Aaron Douglas, an African American artist who was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance - this story is explored in more detail in the the author’s note - Aaron Slater, Illustrator is a heart-warming and uplifting tale of a young boy desperate to tell stories but who struggles with words and has to find another way to express all of the wonderful ideas that fill his head. Art and creativity shine in a touching and empowering story that directly addresses the challenges of learning to read and write for a dyslexic child. Full of feeling and with emotions pouring off of every page, readers are rewarded with a huge multi-coloured serving of empathy and a warmth of understanding for those who face learning difficulties.
Wrapped up in the wonderful rhymes and the gorgeous artwork are important messages for children around finding your own voice and expressing yourself in your own unique way. Aaron’s experience is sure to inspire all readers and will resonate especially with dyslexic children who will easily identify with his struggles. Like many children, Aaron needs support and that comes in the form of the adults in his life who rather than get children to conform and blend in allow them to flourish in their own ways and encourage them to stand out.
Aaron, a character who is neurodiverse and whose brain operates slightly differently, is a fabulous young boy and I was with him every step of the way as he overcomes his challenges, learns to embrace and accept who he is and discovers that there is definitely more than one way to tell a story. Whilst Aaron may find words difficult to write down he has the most wonderful of imaginations and through his imaginings and fabulous drawings he is able to share his stories, much like illustrator David Roberts. In Roberts’ illustrators note he writes about his own struggles with reading and spelling and how has ‘learned to read and tell stories with pictures.’ Whether children see themselves in Aaron or it serves as a window into the life of someone else, this fabulous story serves as a wonderful celebration of difference and informs that dyslexia doesn’t define a person, rather it is simply part of who they are and when they channel their ‘superpowers’ the results can be incredible. Aaron is capable, can achieve his storytelling goals and is an all-around awesome little human, a brilliant little role-model. It is also worth noting that the print used is Dyslexie, a typeface that has been designed specially for people with dyslexia. Further information on this can be found at dyslexiefont.com Recommended for 6+.
The Shark in the Pool is the second in the series of books about the adventures, misadventures and crazy day-to-day goings-on in Miss. Riley’s year two class at Wigglesbottom Primary School.
Could the children at Wigglesbottom Primary be in trouble? Joel is sure that he has been the victim of a shark attack at the swimming pool. Are dangers lurking in the deep? The children are digging up more than just vegetables in the school garden. Have they really just discovered dinosaur bones? And where is Jayden, did the PE parachute really make him disappear? The children are terrified but can the teachers uncover the truth and put worried little minds at ease… Pamela Butchart has once again nailed the life and crazy imaginations of children in their early years of primary school. Ridiculously silly and bursting with exaggeration, the storytelling is an absolute joy and wonderfully reflects the brilliant theories and ideas that young minds can whip up from the most ordinary of everyday situations. Immensely enjoyable, fizzing with fun, fast-paced and laugh-out-loud moments galore. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT. Wigglesbottom Primary is an absolute blast!
Perfectly pitched for a key stage one audience and with a consistent model, these reads are ideal for newly independent readers who are moving on to longer books. Children are quickly pulled into the action with an exciting or, more often, strange event and then things go off in all manner of crazy and wonderful directions as imaginations take over. By the end, all has been resolved, sensible explanations have been given and Miss. Riley’s class is back to some kind of normal, until next time.
The three short stories, at approximately thirty pages each, are guaranteed to keep young readers engaged and the lively illustrations, in shades of blue, bring the school shenanigans to life. Crammed full of fun, silliness and awesome kids these are the kind of stories that ensure that children are reading for pleasure and will well and truly get kids ‘hooked on books’. Recommended for 6+.
The Magic Hamster is the third in the series of books about the adventures, misadventures and crazy day-to-day goings-on in Miss. Riley’s year two class at Wigglesbottom Primary School.
Strange things are happening to the children in Miss Riley’s class and no one knows why. Could new class pet Ravioli the hamster be hypnotising the children and causing them to act weird? Has swallowing a fly caused Evie to slowly turn into a frog? And is Theo talking bizarrely and beeping a lot because he is actually a robot? What on earth is going on and can 2R put a stop to it… Wigglesbottom Primary is quite possibly the funnest primary school on the planet. At the very least, class 2R are the class that every child would want to be in. Miss Riley's class serve up LOL’s galore as they try to solve these ‘real-life’ mysteries with the fabulous bunch of children coming up with utterly bonkers theories much to the exasperation of their teacher and the deputy head.
Accessible storytelling and a consistent model make these great, easy to follow reads. Children are quickly pulled into the action with an exciting or, more often, strange event and then things go off in all manner of crazy and wonderful directions as imaginations take over. By the end, all has been resolved, sensible explanations have been given and Miss. Riley’s class is back to some kind of normal, until next time.
The three short stories, at approximately thirty pages each, are guaranteed to keep young readers engaged and the lively illustrations, in shades of yellow, bring the school shenanigans to life. Crammed full of fun, silliness and awesome kids these are the kind of stories that ensure that children are reading for pleasure and will well and truly get kids ‘hooked on books’. Recommended for 6+.
Super Dog is the fourth in the series of books about the adventures, misadventures and crazy day-to-day goings-on in Miss. Riley’s year two class at Wigglesbottom Primary School.
Life is never dull at Wigglesbottom Primary School and today is no exception. Out on the playground, there’s a magical dog on the loose that has an incredible disappearing act and the power to heal. In the canteen, the dodgy mash potato is causing a great deal of confusion. And out on the sports field, Susie is using her own very special egg, that might have an alien inside, for the egg and spoon race. Teacher Miss Riley has her work cut out to solve these shenanigans… Pamela Butchart serves up another delicious helping (unlike the canteen mash potato) of school-based fun in three brilliantly bonkers short stories. All kids will wish they went to a school that is as bizarre and as weirdly fun as Wigglesbottom Primary. No matter where - inside, outside, the classroom, the canteen, the playground, the sports field - the children are sure that there is something going on and more often than not it is something definitely not good. It all makes for a highly relatable and rip-roaring read that will leave bellies aching from laughter.
Accessible storytelling and a consistent model make these great, easy to follow reads. Children are quickly pulled into the action with an exciting or, more often, strange event and then things go off in all manner of crazy and wonderful directions as imaginations take over. By the end, all has been resolved, sensible explanations have been given and Miss. Riley’s class is back to some kind of normal, until next time.
The stories, at approximately thirty pages each, are guaranteed to keep young readers engaged and the lively illustrations, in shades of red, bring the school shenanigans to life. Crammed full of fun, silliness and awesome kids these are the kind of stories that ensure that children are reading for pleasure and will well and truly get kids ‘hooked on books’. Recommended for 6+. Little People, Big Dreams: Frida Kahlo; Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Gee Fan Eng24/3/2022
Born in Coyoacán, a small Mexican town, Frida was a happy go lucky child who despite contracting polio at a young age never complained, she liked being different. Her life changed dramatically when she was badly injured in a road traffic accident. Bed bound and unable to walk she picked up pencils and brushes and nurtured a love of art. And when she shared her pictures with the rest of the world, people were amazed by what they saw…
Educating children about trailblazing women from the past and the present is vital in inspiring future generations to follow their dreams and to achieve great things. Frida Kahlo is a wonderful role model and her story will empower anyone lucky enough to read it. Despite contracting polio as a child and then being involved in a horrific accident in her teens, Frida still went on to accomplish unbelievable things. Displaying persistence, resilience and incredible fighting spirit, she has become one of the most celebrated and respected artists in the world. Sadly, she only became famous globally after her death but the impression she has left on the art world will last forever and her paintings are now sold for millions of pounds.
This inspirational story of a child who was determined to not be outdone by two serious conditions delivers a powerful message, we must learn to wave goodbye to the bad and not let difficulties and challenges stop us. As Frida would say, ‘Viva la vida’…‘Live life’. Full of can do attitude and a big dose of girl power, Kahlo’s story is proof that perseverance and determination pays off and this condensed biography is a must read for any young artist. Highly accessible and engaging, it is a perfect and appropriately colourful introduction to one of the world’s most significant female artists.
The story is told in short and simple sentences and is delightfully illustrated with bright and bold artwork. At the back of the book there is a short overview of her life which includes key facts and dates and a historical timeline featuring photographs. Recommended for 5+. Little People, Big Dreams: Alan Turing; Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay24/3/2022
No one expected much of the shy and quiet boy from London. Sent off to boarding school, Alan’s best friends were maths, science and a boy called Christopher who shared the same interests. When his best friend died, Alan found comfort in the world of numbers and codes and busied himself with creating fantastical machines. One of which would save many lives and help win a war…
Before Steve Jobs and Apple, the name and brand that many children will associate with computers, technology and AI, there was a little-known boy from London called Alan Turing. This sad yet empowering abbreviated biography really hits on an emotional level and makes for an extremely interesting and, at times, heart-breaking read. Turing was the very quiet and unassuming boy with an incredible mathematical mind who was the British government’s secret weapon and who became one of the most important figures during the Second World War. The invention of his famous Enigma code-breaking machine was hardly believable and helped defeat the Germans in World War Two saving countless lives. Turing accomplished the impossible even when others doubted his work. So much so that he wrote to the prime minister to get backing for his Enigma project and thankfully he was giving the backing he so desperately needed. To say he proved his doubters wrong is something of an understatement. Despite his outstanding work and being the godfather of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, Turing was heavily ostracised and faced terrible prejudices. Being gay was seen as wrong when Alan was alive and when the government found out that he loved men rather than women they treated him very poorly; he lost his job and was forced to undergo treatment to cure his ‘gayness’. All of this for the man who helped win the war. Sadly, Turing died much too young and even more tragic is that his name was kept a secret for many years and he never received the recognition for his incredible work until long after his death.
Turing’s life was far from happy, in fact, much of it comes across as incredibly sad. He was a lonely child who grew up away from home, he lost his best friend during his teenage years, his life was altered by war, he was the genius who helped bring it to an end, a man mistreated for his life choices and whose life ended far too soon. There were many bleak moments in Turing’s life and the author does not try to hide any of the ugly truths, rather letting the reader know that despite all of this incredible things can still be achieved. With as much information as is needed for a young audience, everything is simply told as it was and is handled gently and with compassion.
So many important lessons can be learnt from Turing’s life story, but my favourite and probably the most important one, ‘Sometimes it’s the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.’ The story is told in short and simple sentences and is delightfully illustrated with bright and bold artwork. At the back of the book there is a short overview of his life which includes key facts and dates and a historical timeline featuring photographs. Recommended for 5+. |