Kick

Budi has a plan- he dreams of playing football from Real Madrid. Every chance he has, he plays with his friends, focusing on his goal. But his life is a million miles away from his fantasy. Every day, he stitches football boots for others in cruel conditions, earning a pittance. Life is tough in Jakarta where he lives, yet he steadfastly believes in his dream.

Things go from bad to worse when Budi comes to the attention of The Dragon, the most feared man in Jakarta. Now so much more than Budi's dreams are at stake...

Endorsed by Amnesty International, this is a powerful, poignant book about the horrors of child labour, exploitation and cruelty. It brings into sharp focus the 'hidden' lives of those we don't see and so many are unaware of and should provoke countless conversations about things we take for granted and the true price that is paid for things we take for granted. It could be a bleak read because it highlights the life lived by many.

However, this is a story about resilience, about hopes and dreams. It is also about true friendship and family and how these can thrive in the worst circumstances.  Budi is an amazing character, beautifully developed, offering such an amazing outlook on life as your heart bleeds for him. His family offer love and support in the midst of everything and his friendship with Rochy is just wonderful to read. 

'Kick' is not an easy read, but it is an essential one. Thought provoking and challenging, it is perfect thinking readers.

Kick    Mitch Johnson

Usborne     ISBN -9781474928151

Pop!

Queenie de la Cruz has just moved to California with her mother and younger brother. The litter-strewn beach, hazy, polluted sky and brown waves, topped with creamy foam are not what she imagined North Nitch, their neighbourhood, would be like and she dreams of something exciting happening. Little does she know that her discovery of a piece of paper inside an empty bottle of Mac-Tonic (the world’s most popular drink- and Queenie’s personal favourite) is about to change her life forever. Abducted from her home, Queenie meets Todd, who has also been imprisoned, and the two manage to escape. Pursued by bounty-hunters, black helicopters and the American public, the two are running for their lives and Queenie starts to see the world more clearly, noticing the devastating impact the big corporations have on the planet. If she survives, can she make a difference?

An excellent read from start to finish, ‘Pop!’ is an action-packed, rollercoaster of a story, fizzing with humour. However, it also packs a punch with a strong environmental and humanitarian message about the purchasing choices we make and the actions of overly-powerful companies whose sole goal is the pursuit of wealth.

The story is full of compelling characters. Queenie is hopelessly addicted to the sugary-satisfaction of Mac-Tonic and there are many who will see themselves reflected in her cravings for sugary drinks and treats. Initially, she is so used to the plastic waste littering the shore by her home that she has become completely desensitised to it and has never considered taking responsibility for something caused by others. Over the course of the story, she begins to question and challenge things that she has taken for granted, leading the reader with her on her voyage of discovery. The story is perfect for using with Y6/7 pupils to provoke discussion and raise questions.

Can’t recommend this one highly enough!

Pop! Mitch Johnson

Orion ISBN: 978-1510107618

The Whale Who Wanted More

Humphrey the whale spends all his time roaming the ocean, forever seeking for treasure. But he never able to find the one thing he is sure will make him feel complete. It takes a spirited crab and a few home truths for him to realise that it’s not possessions that will make Humphry’s heart sing!

Another triumph from the perfect paring which brought us the joy of ‘The Lion Inside’ and ‘The Squirrels who Squabbled’, ‘The Whale Who Wanted More’ is a timely tale about the important things in life. Humphrey is on an empty quest, filling his life with all the glitter and gizmos he can find, desperately seeking something to fill up his sense of longing. But it is only when he gives, not takes, sharing his gift of song, that he finally feels content. So much to discuss...! The text is perfectly paced for reading aloud, with alliteration, onomatopoeia and some fabulous vocabulary choices adding to the joy.

The illustrations are fabulous- each spread full of colour and interest. There are plenty of pictures to linger over and consider what each character might be thinking and feeling, developing empathy. It’s great to see this huge, male character being vulnerable and then finding friendship and contentment from the simplest things. Older children would enjoy discussing and sharing this as much as younger!

‘The Whale Who Wanted More’ celebrates the positive power of sharing and being kind and reminds us how little is needed to make us truly happy.

The Whale Who Wanted More

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Hachette ISBN: 978-1408349236

The Way Home for Wolf

Wilf, a wolfling, is determined to show his independence and as the wolf pack moves on, he declares he will lead the way. The other wolves tell him to wait until he’s older and although Wilf tries to keep up, he soon falls further and further behind. Reluctant to ask for help, he realises he’s lost and quickly finds himself in trouble. A meeting with a sea unicorn leads to Wilf accepting help from other creatures and finding his way back to the heart of his pack.

What a joy of a book! Little Wilf comes to understand that everyone needs to ask for and accept help at times and that there is a joy in working with others. Told in rhyme, the text flows beautifully and is a pleasure to read aloud.

The illustrations are simply stunning. Scenes showing the silhouetted wolves howling at the moon and running across snowy landscape are just lovely. The picture showing Wilf plunging through the ice and meeting the narwhal is quite gorgeous, but my favourite of all is the one of Wilf gazing at the sky with his new friends picked out in the stars.

Since wherever life takes you, wherever you roam…

we’re all just a handful of friendships from home.

Another triumph from this perfect partnership, ‘The Way Home for Wolf’ is a joy to share.

The Way Home for Wolf

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Orchard Books ISBN: 978-1408349205

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

Spontaneous Cyril has spent his time partying and having fun instead of gathering stores for the winter. Realising his cupboards are bare, Cyril spots one lone pine cone, ripe for plucking, and sets off to pick it. At the same time, 'Plan-Ahead Bruce' decides that the final thing he needs to complete his well stocked winter larder is the self-same pine cone!

Each sets off to claim their prize and the ensuing battle of the pine cone nearly leads to disaster!

The rhyming text bounces along as it follows the antics of these two nut-lovers. Rachel Bright's rich use of language includes alliteration and onomatopoeia- brilliant for listening to and great fun to read aloud! 

The illustrations are a pure delight! Full of details, each spread is a joy! Cyril and Bruce are just wonderful, each easily identifiable as a separate personality. 

A great way of gently pointing out the folly of silly squabbles, this book is sure to join 'The Lion Inside' and 'The Koala Who Could' as firm classroom favourites!

The Squirrels Who Squabbled   

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Hachette Children's      ISBN: 978-1408340479

The Koala Who Could

Kevin doesn't like change. He's not keen to try anything new- or move much really. He just wants to stay in his tree and makes excuses if anyone asks him to do anything. He is very happy staying firmly in his comfort zone. There is a tiny part of Kevin that wishes he could join in with the others; however, he stays firmly put in his eucalyptus tree until something happens- that gentle push- that shows him change is not as scary as he thought!

Who hasn't been afraid of taking that first step? Or of confronting that fear? Or of changing their ways? Through exploring Kevin's fears, this lovely story allows children to identify with them and perhaps come to understand their own. By developing a 'can-do' attitude, Kevin is soon involved in lots of fun with his friends- a message for all of us perhaps!

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and complement the bouncy, rhyming text perfectly. Kevin is cuteness personified and has the most amazing range of expressions. Each page is full of humorous details and vibrant scenes of Australia and its fantastic creatures!

With its positive message and adorable characters, 'The Koala Who Could' is every bit as lovely as 'The Lion Inside'. Rachel Bright and Jim Field make a fantastic team and I look forward to seeing what they will delight us with next!

The Koala Who Could

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Orchard Books    ISBN: 978-1408331644

Always Here for You

Holly is lonely. Her best friend, Amy, has moved abroad and is caught up in her new life. Her parents are preoccupied with ‘Gran’s Crisis’ and Holly often finds herself alone. Turning to social media, Holly meets Jay online. He is also 14 and is caring, funny - everything Holly needs at the moment. Holly has heard the horror stories and knows that she has to be careful, but as things get worse, she turns more and more to Jay for support. But is he what he seems?

‘Always Here for You’ is a tense story about a very real danger. Holly is aware of the dangers of meeting strangers online and still she falls victim to the grooming of a manipulative stranger. She comes from a loving, stable home and yet, circumstances have combined to leave her vulnerable and feeling she has no one to turn to- perfect prey.

The story is pacy and successfully builds tension as Holly becomes more and more invested in her ‘relationship’. The aftermath is equally well handled, underlining the dangers and showing that the impact of grooming can be long lasting. Although this is aimed at a teen audience, it is a message which needs to be heard far and wide. Holly is aware of the dangers and still becomes ensnared- it’s a message which needs repeating again and again.

‘Always Here for You’ is a frighteningly realistic portrayal of the dangers of on-line grooming. Needs reading.

Always Here for You

Miriam Halahmy

 ZunTold    ISBN:  978-1916204218

No Ballet Shoes in Syria

Aya is an asylum seeker from Syria, living in Manchester with her mother and baby brother. A talented ballet dancer, she fears that has all been left behind her in the cold, unfamiliar world she has found herself in where she must care for her mother and brother. However, she is drawn to a ballet class in the community centre whilst they are waiting to see their case worker and her talent is recognised by the dance teacher. The potential to gain a ballet scholarship gives her hope for the future, but her family must fight to be allowed to stay in the country- and to try to find Aya’s father.

Beautiful, powerful writing encouraging empathy and compassion, ‘No Ballet Shoes in Syria’ would make an excellent quality text for inspiring work in class. Offering plenty of opportunities for developing writing, drama and debating skills, using a rich vocabulary and adding the colour of dance and its ability to express emotion. It is a glorious read!

No Ballet Shoes in Syria

Catherine Bruton

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788004503

Another Twist in the Tale

The story of Oliver Twist, his misfortunes and fortunes, is well known to many. But this is the tale of the other Twist, the abandoned twin sister, whose story has never been told…until now.

This is the story of Twill Twist, rescued from a rubbish heap by a kind hearted stranger, Baggage Jones, and brought up in the dubious establishment of Madam Manzoni and her Butterflies. Determined to give her girl a better life, Baggage protects and nurtures the child until her beauty is noticed and Madam Manzoni decides she is to join the Butterflies. Baggage sends her away to save her - and Twill finds herself caught up with The Artful Dodger and the Victorian underworld.

Fabulous from start to finish, ‘Another Twist in the Tale’ is just wonderful. As a huge Dickens’ fan, I was slightly nervous about what to expect, but Catherine Bruton has captured a feeling of the great man’s writing, making it accessible and engaging for a younger audience. Characters plucked from the original retain their foibles and eccentricities and new characters slot perfectly into the tale with deliciously Dickensian names. There are even lines which echo some of the original (and Shakespeare and others!) and chapter headings in keeping with the style.

Having said that, Twill is an excellent heroine in her own right, compassionate and caring, but streetwise and smart, lacking the fragility of her brother. Baggage is a delight and Madam Manonzi and Mrs Spanks perfectly awful! The mixture of old and new is beautifully combined with a satisfying result for both those familiar with the original and those new to the idea.

‘Another Twist in the Tale’ is a the sequel Dickens meant to write to Oliver Twist!

Another Twist in the Tale

Catherine Bruton

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788005999

First Day of my Life

‘First Day of My Life’ follows the stories of Frankie, Jojo and Ram as they intertwine. It starts with Frankie as she sets off to collect her GCSE results. She is puzzled and annoyed by the fact that she has to go alone as her best friend, Jojo, has not kept to their plan to go together. She is further annoyed as her way to school has been cordoned off due to a baby going missing. Later, when Jojo briefly calls her, Frankie thinks she hears a baby crying in the background. Putting the pieces together, Frankie decides Jojo must have taken the baby and calls on her ex-boyfriend, Ram, to help her. Reluctantly, he agrees to take Frankie to Swindon where she believes Jojo to be, but what happens next is unexpected by all…

Each book I read by Lisa Williamson is better than the last! I really enjoyed The Art of Being Normal; ‘All About Mia’ was fabulous; ‘Paper Avalanche’ was one of the most powerful, thought-provoking books I have ever read. And now we have ‘First Day of My Life’- and I have a new favourite.

One of the problems with reviewing a book is the lingering worry that I might spoil the story for someone else by saying too much. This is one story I have no wish to spoil so I will say little about the plot. Compelling is a good word to sum it up!

The power of the story comes from the brilliant development of each character and the relationships between them. Each personality is so well defined and the bonds so strong that the reactions of each at each stage are believable. This is maintained by the conclusion- which again I don’t want to mention!- which is plausible and satisfying.

For older reader, ‘First Day of My Life’ is an intriguing, emotional read for all to enjoy. Simply brilliant!

First Day of My Life       Lisa Williamson

David Fickling Books        ISBN: 9781788451536

Bone Music

Sylvia has reluctantly left behind her life in Newcastle for a week. In need of a break, her mother has taken a holiday to the village she grew up in. Here, Sylvia is faced with the boundless beauty of wild Northumberland and initially feels lost, the pull of her home city overwhelming. However, the magic of nature soon weaves its spell on her and when she meets the enigmatic Gabriel, Sylvia finds a new joy in the beauty surrounding her and develops a deep sense of connection with the past.

Completely spell-binding, ‘Bone Music’ is like nothing else that I have ever read. Sylvia is a city girl, passionate about the future of the planet, a protester, with a close group of friends, and yet she is initially lost in the space and nothingness of the fells. When she meets Gabriel, she connects with both him and the environment, letting go of her inhibitions, embracing nature and nature’s timeless connection with the past. When she makes an instrument from a hollow bone from a buzzard’s wing, this connection deepens, allowing her to discover more about herself and her humanity.

The book is beautifully written, showing a deep love for the wild landscape of the north, the power and magic of music, and nature’s ability to overcome man’s desire to tame it. There is even reference to the flooded village featured in another of David Almond’s books, bringing this haunting landscape to life.

I found Gabriel deeply moving. As he reveals the pain of his experiences to Sylvia, his story forces the reader to reflect on how expectation, education and traditional values can constrain and damage some who do not ‘fit’ for whatever reason. Not all learning takes place in a classroom and not all knowledge is academic. Gabriel’s self-harming is sensitively handled, allowing for many discussions and inspiring great empathy.

Lyrical and poignant, ‘Bone Music’ is hauntingly beautiful and original with a stunning cover by David Litchfield.

Bone Music David Almond

cover artwork by David Litchfield

Hodder Children’s ISBN: 978-1444961416

The Wizards of Once

Once there was a boy who had been brought up as a Wizard, believing that all Warriors are bad. However, Xar (the wizard) had no magic- and would do anything to get some.

Once there was a girl who was a warrior- people who believed that ALL magic was bad and should be destroyed. However, Wish (the warrior) owned a magical object that she really didn’t want to give up- and she wasn’t a very good warrior.

Once there was a book which was full of fantasy, adventure and humour…

Thrown together by chance, Wish and Xar are each misfits in their own worlds. Xar is taunted for his lack of magical ability; Wish constantly fails to live up to her mother’s high expectations of perfection. Through knowing each other, these two very different characters- Xar is arrogant and self-centred whereas Wish is loyal and caring- learn so much about themselves, forming an unusual alliance and friendship.

Cressida Cowell creates a fantastic world, populated with fabulous characters and creatures. The narrator’s voice is witty and engaging, injecting comments and observations- and keeping the reader guessing which character they might be!

The story is full of sketchy drawings by Cressida Cowell, liberally illustrating the story and adding to the humour. ‘The Wizards of Once’ is a series set to be just as wonderful and popular as the 'How to...' series.

Which is where book two of the series comes in! The magic continues as Xar and Wish join forces once more. Xar has been infected with witch blood and a stain is rapidly spreading up his arm, and, having escaped prison, he is keen to search for ingredients to counteract the spell. Wish is trying to come to terms with magical powers that will not make her any more popular with her mother and together they must try to defeat the Witch king. In this story, they learn much about themselves, each other and that even their parents were young once!

Full of fun and frolics, this series is essential reading for those who enjoy fast paced, funny adventures with a touch of magic! Wonderful stuff!

The Wizards of Once     Cressida Cowell

Hodder     ISBN: 978-1444936728

The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic   Cressida Cowell

Hodder      ISBN: 978-1444941401

Rabbit and Bear: A Bad King is a Sad Thing

When he tries to eat Rabbit, Wolf is banished to the Dark Woods. However, he is soon replaced by an even greater threat when Icebear arrives, demanding to be made King of the Valley. In spite of Bear’s attempts to be friendly, helpful, nice and kind, the ‘king’ is horrible and treats everyone badly. In desperation, Rabbit turns to Wolf for help and finds his invaluable advice works to send the bad King packing.

The ‘Rabbit and Bear’ books offer wonderful stories, full of wit and wisdom. Once again, a complex issue is presented in a way in which children can really understand and relate to using humour and endearing characters. In this story, Rabbit and Bear find a way to resolve conflict peacefully, bring the community together and find inner strength to face difficult situations.

Icebear is a big bully who uses his size and strength to intimidate and manipulate the other animals into giving him whatever he wants. His cruelty to poor Owl and his causal unkindness to the other animals leave even wise, peace loving Bear stumped and offer plenty for the reader to discuss and think about. Wolf’s advice is also worth considering, ‘Rule yourself WISELY! You can’t just order yourself to do impossible things.’

There is plenty of humour in the story and we laughed out loud when Mole says, ‘I thought this kind of terrible thing only happened in books!’ when Icebear pooped on his head as ‘The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business’ was a huge favourite when my son was little!

The illustrations are as wonderful as ever. Rabbit has an incredible range of expressions for every occasion and each picture is bursting with details to notice and enjoy! I’m thrilled to see that another adventure for this pair is on its way!

Rabbit and Bear: A Bad King is a Sad Thing

Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder Children’s ISBN: 978-1444937466

Rabbit and Bear: A Bite in the Night

The latest in this series sees our lovable forest friends facing Progress with a capital P! As Bear is getting ready for her winter sleep, Rabbit is increasingly worried by things that are changing. The river has moved…trees are disappearing…soon, even Bear is close to being slightly worried. Beaver has been at work and Progress is his middle name- nothing is going to get in his way. But Progress is not good for Rabbit- or Mole-or Vole-or Mouse… Although some of the animals might be better off as a result of the changes made in the name of Progress, can they stand by and see their friends suffer?

Told with the usual gentle humour and fabulous illustrations, the ‘Rabbit and Bear’ stories are also wonderful at conveying clear messages and making everyone stop and think. Although change needs to happen and some progress is needed, the cost to the countryside and other people should always be considered. Once Bear’s favourite scratching tree has gone, it cannot be replaced in a hurry- years of nature at work destroyed in an instant. Sometimes, alternatives need to be considered or simply more thought needs to be given to whether ‘Progress’ is really necessary.

The fabulous illustrations are every bit as engaging as in the previous Rabbit and Bear stories and Bear’s expressions are just wonderful! This latest addition to the ‘Rabbit and Bear’ series is a delight.

Rabbit and Bear: A Bite in the Night

Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444938180

Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack

This is the third book about the irascible Rabbit and level-headed Bear. In this story, they meet - or are attacked by!- Owl who crash lands near them. Rabbit is predictably outraged at the arrival of this stranger- particularly when he remembers that some owls eat rabbits!

Keen to find a snack, Bear leaves Rabbit to it- something she later regrets as things quickly get out of hand- but everything works out well in the end.

Tolerance and understanding are at the heart of this book. In the middle of all the humour- and this is a very funny book- the story shows the very serious and disturbing issues of how fear and mass hysteria can whip people up to commit unreasonable and unjustified actions. Rabbit becomes increasingly paranoid and his exaggerations increasingly extreme, yet no one but Bear challenges him. As Bear says...

'I don't think you won the argument...I think you just shouted the loudest.'

Being able to laugh at Rabbit's wild accusations makes it easier to start discussions about tolerance and acceptance, about challenging stereotypes - and about the fact that we all make mistakes. No one- not even Rabbit- is perfect and we all need to acknowledge when we get things wrong. 

The book is very entertaining with plenty of toilet humour- possibly a bit too much for my liking- but with the usual educational slant! The things I now know about poo! 

The illustrations are a joy as in each of these stories. Warm tones highlight some of the pictures and there are lots of them throughout the book. Another winner!

Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack

Hodder Children's      ISBN:  978-1444938173

Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest

This little volume is every bit as delicious as the first!

The illustrations are fabulous, adding to the humour and joy of reading the story. Rabbit continues to be cantankerous, finding fault with all around him. Bear's snoring, Tortoise being there, Woodpecker's tapping- everything makes him angry. It takes the help of his calm and relaxed friend, Bear, to help him stop fighting himself and accept things. 

We all have 'those' days- the ones where nothing seems to go right and everything seems at odds. Today would be one of those days for me! And it really helps on those days to remember that if we can't control everything around us, we can control ourselves and our reactions to things. 

And this is the conclusion Rabbit comes to ...

'I shall stop thinking of it as a Nasty Noise. I shall think of it instead as a nice, friendly reminder that my friend Bear is nearby.'

And suddenly, the sound, without changing at all, made Rabbit feel all warm and happy.

The story is great for discussing our reactions to things- and although it won't change the world -might help children to recognise themselves in Rabbit and while laughing at his antics, take another look at their own!

Bear and Rabbit: The Pest in the Nest

Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder Children's      ISBN: 978-1444934267

Rabbit and Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habit

Bear is awoken early from her hibernation and decides that if she can't sleep, she'll make her first-ever snowman. Rabbit has never made a snowman either - and is determined to make one better than Bear's. However, when faced with a hungry fox, Rabbit learns that a friend in need is a friend indeed!

This is a great little book that is quite different, making it an excellent read aloud for children of any age. Humorous and informative, as well as learning about gravity and the workings of a rabbit's digestive system (yes, there are a lot of discussions about poo!), the reader watches as these two very different characters develop a firm friendship as they come to understand and value each other.

Bear is a wonderfully 'glass-half-full' personality. Someone has woken her up and stolen her food- well, it's a beautiful day and she's always wanted to build a snowman! Rabbit, on the other hand, is half-empty- a fairly joyless soul, who hates being a rabbit, thinks life is pretty awful - and is the one who stole Bear's food. The clever character development can be used to give children ideas about how to create their own as, although an excellent read aloud, there is so much more that this book could be used for!

Observation is a key part of scientific enquiry and should there be a school rabbit, then first hand observation of rabbit's bad habits might be possible! Instructional guides on how to look after pet rabbits could be created, illustrated with photographs, annotated drawings etc. 

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful, capturing the creatures' personalities perfectly and using a very simple range of colours. Several spreads could be used to encourage the children to make predicitions, gather vocabulary and develop ideas about character. The children could also make simple origami rabbits and bears and then use these as puppets to re-tell the story or to use as the basis for animations of their own stories based on the original. On Jim Field's website, children can read about how he developed his ideas for illustrating the book and perhaps be inspired to develop their own. http://www.jimfield.co.uk/Rabbit-Bear

The book is also just the right size for little hands. Perfect for both emergent and more confident readers, this is one of those special books that offers so much: humour, good writing, fabulous illustrations and two wonderful, mismatched friends that I hope are going to be at the heart of many tales to come. 

 Rabbit and Bear: Rabbit's Bad Habits

 Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder Children's Books     ISBN: 978-1444929317

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners

A young girl notices that her eyes look different to those of her friends. Whilst theirs are big with long lashes, hers ‘kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea’. Her eyes are like those of her Mama, Amah and little sister, Mei-Mei, women who share the deepest bonds of love and admiration. They are her eyes and, like her and her family, they are beautiful.

Breathtakingly gorgeous, this is a very special book about loving who you are and valuing your heritage. The lyrical text flows like poetry, full of powerful images and beautiful moments. The little girl notes that her friends’ eyes are ‘like sapphire lagoons with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns’ before describing her own and observing that they are just like her mother’s which ‘crinkle into crescent moons’ when she is happy. Her Amah’s eyes ‘don’t work like they used to’, but they are also beautiful and filled with many stories. Surrounded by her close family, the little girl is completely secure about who she is, basking in their love. Mei-Mei also has eyes that ‘kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea’, forging the connection between them as she gazes at her older sister like she is ‘her best present’.

Full of imagery, the text is a joy to read aloud and is matched by the fabulous illustrations. The warmth and love shared by this family is tenderly depicted throughout the book. Evocative spreads explore images of the stories and traditions which are passed from one generation to the next, offering much to discuss and explore and many stories to tell. The images and text build, showing the little girl’s determination and pride as ‘her lashes curve like the swords of warriors’ and she states that her eyes are ‘a revolution’.

Poignant and powerful, ‘Eyes that Kiss in the Corners’ is a true love song to family, tradition and being proud of who you are.

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners

Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0062915627

The Huntress: Sea

Mouse knows her destiny; 'the great green fire spirits dance and ripple' telling her Tribe the future and Mouse is destined to be a captain just as her brother, Sparrow, is a whale-singer.

Since the death of their Ma, she and Sparrow have grown up aboard The Huntress, their grandmother's ship, as their father is a trader, spending much time away from the family. Then Da goes missing and Grandma brings a new navigator on board. Things rapidly change and Mouse embarks on a quest to save her family and her ship.

From the first line, Sea is an amazing adventure story, set in a beautifully crafted world of fantastical creatures, people with magical talents and well drawn characters with their own customs and belief systems.

Mouse is full-on and feisty, always in the thick of the action, ready to take on the world to protect her family and her home. Strong and capable, she can run roughshod over others, making her not entirely likeable initially, although she develops over the course of the story. Her bother, Sparrow, is her opposite- 'little too-soon' is vulnerable, prone to shaking-fits, yet he sings with power and beauty, his high voice rising 'like a bell, to chime along with the whales.'

Written in beautiful, lyrical prose, the speech of the characters clashes against this like waves against the side of the ship. The use of kennings as part of this adds to this mix, creating a 'heart-bright', 'sizzle-bolt' of a story.

Perfect for children at the 'Moving On' stage, 'Sea' is a fantastic read with much to recommend it. Can't wait for the next part!

The Huntress Sea   Sarah Driver

Egmont     ISBN: 978-1405284677

Professor Astro-Cat’s Deep-Sea Voyage

Professor Astro-Cat and his team are off on another adventure. Having arrived at the beach to enjoy some fun, they take a closer look at the seashore with its tide pools, sand and waves. Each element is clearly explained, with emboldened words appearing in a glossary at the end of the book. After discovering how oceans are formed, the gang climb aboard a ship and proceed to explore the oceans and their features, the water cycle and the diverse habitats and life forms that populate the deep.

This fascinating read is packed full of facts, peppered with the humorous antics of the crew. Along with the food web, water cycle and sea creatures, many of the places they visit- the Galapagos Islands, the Antarctic, underwater mountains, tectonic plates- feature in the KS2 curriculum, making this as useful as it is attractive.

The book also looks at the threats that are facing the oceans from overfishing to plastic pollution before explaining what is being done to reverse this and things that can be done to help. There is a Factoids section at the end which contains some amazing snippets of information to get young scientists investigating!

As with all these books, the illustrations are brilliant. Bright colours and bold blocks add to the appeal. Contents and index pages help readers to quickly navigate the text, making this excellent for dipping in and out of, locating information or reading from cover to cover.

Professor Astro Cat’s latest trip is every bit as enjoyable and informative as his previous expeditions. Join him on his deep sea voyage soon!

Professor Astro Cat’s Deep-Sea Voyage

Dr Dominic Walliman, illustrated by Ben Newman

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1912497126