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

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

Paper Planes

Mia and Ben are best friends. They live next door to each other and do everything together, but the thing they most enjoy is making paper planes. But one day, Ben tells Mia that his family are moving far away. They swap planes before saying goodbye, but each is lonely without the other. In anger, Mia destroys Ben’s plane, but is brought comfort in a dream where the two meet, flying their planes together. The following morning, a parcel arrives from Ben, asking for her help to complete a plane he has made by adding wings. So although they were not together, they could still make planes and still be friends.

This is such a delightful story in so many ways. It is a story about the warmth of friendship, the joy of sharing a hobby and the wonder of nature. It is also about the pain of separation- the frustration and misery of being apart from that best friend. Ultimately, it is a story of hope- their friendship survives despite the distance and they realise they can continue to share their interests. It is gently told, but all the more poignant for this

The illustrations are wonderful, perfectly depicting the friendship between Mia and Ben, their emotions and the changing seasons. Muted colours are perfect for the mood of the story and there are many details to enjoy, including the dogs whose feelings mirror those of the children perfectly. Quite simply, it is a delight from cover to cover!

‘Paper Planes’ is a beautifully illustrated, poignant tale of friendship and creativity.

Paper Planes

Jim Helmore, illustrated by Richard Jones

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1471173875

Perdu

Perdu is a little dog with nothing but an old red scarf. He is lost and alone and so makes his way to the city in search of somewhere to call home. But the city is busy and noisy and frightening for a little dog on his own. Will he find a safe place and someone to love?

This is such a beautiful story which captures a deep sense of loneliness and longing for a home. Perdu (French for ‘lost’) is small and vulnerable, instantly inspiring empathy as he makes his solitary way first through the countryside and then through the city. His sense of isolation is emphasised by the stunning artwork, but the sharp eyed will notice that someone is paying attention to Perdu. A little girl in a red bobble hat has spotted him and keeps trying to draw her mother’s attention to him. She shows patience and kindness, returning his lost red scarf when he is distressed and at last, Perdu has found his safe place.

The illustrations are simply stunning, making this a wonderful story to linger over and explore the other stories being told. Perdu becomes increasingly forlorn as he searches until he curls up in ‘a scared little ball of worry’. The final spread also shows him curled up, but this time safe in a cosy basket of his own by the little girl’s bed. The story makes the perfect starting point for conversations about homelessness and loneliness as well as animal welfare.

‘Perdu’ is a delightful, heart-warming story to share and enjoy again and again.

Perdu Richard Jones

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1471181269

My Beautiful Voice

The thought of a school poetry performance, but a little girl is so shy that she can’t speak in class. However, her teacher, Miss Flotsam, gently encourages her to find her voice and write her poem. Her confidence builds until she feels brave enough to share the poem with the class.

A beautifully up-lifting book, ‘My Beautiful Voice’ is so full of joy, showing the importance of patience and kindness in a teacher. Miss Flotsam ‘explodes’ into the classroom, full of energy and enthusiasm. She is full of stories and experiences that she shares with her class, inspiring them with ideas for their poems. Yet she also notices and has time for the quiet child, recognising what she needs, patiently guiding her and enabling her to achieve.

For those who are quieter, the story reflects the struggles involved in speaking in front of others, but also the joy of finally finding your voice and unlocking the beauty of your own voice. It’s always a source of the greatest delight when a shy child in your class takes that first step and presents to an audience.

The book itself is also a celebration of poetry. Joseph Coelho’s language is effortlessly beautiful as it describes the events and emotions flowing through the story. There are so many images which could be used to inspire a class to develop their own images and descriptions. His words are matched by Allison Colpoys’ fabulous illustrations which capture the vitality and zest for life of Miss Flotsam, the whole spread of emotions and the final triumph of the little girl perfectly.

‘My Beautiful Voice’ is a delightful read, sure to inspire empathy and understanding and develop the love of poetry.

My Beautiful Voice

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711248311

Odd Dog Out

Living in a place where everydog looks the same and acts the same, being different means you really stand out. From her clothes to her interests, Odd Dog is just that- the odd dog out- and feels she has to leave her home to find somewhere that she fits in.

So she makes her way to 'Doggywood' where all the dogs look and act just like she does. She is delighted! But then she makes a new friend who teaches her that standing out from the crowd and being an individual is something to be proud of!

With its positive message and amazing illustrations, this is a brilliant book for home or school. Visually rich and rewarding, each spread is full of details to explore and enjoy whilst the story offers a heart-warming affirmation of individuality.

Whether used as a lovely story, as the starting point for discussions about standing out from the crowd or to inspire amazing artwork, 'Odd Dog Out' is a book that can be appreciated by children (and adults!) of all ages. The loneliness she experiences and the self doubt that makes her feel out of place is something that many of us will feel at some point in our lives and this story puts a light-hearted slant on this.

There are other stories about being an individual and dancing to your own tune, but this is a story which presents the message in a way as unique as the individual reading it!

Odd Dog Out   Rob Biddulph

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007594153

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece

In their latest adventure, Shifty and Sam are in Paris where they are going to bake a huge gingerbread Eiffel Tower for Gallerie Bonbon, an upmarket art gallery. But a master criminal is at large and when sneaky fox, Cunningham Sly, steals a precious painting from under their noses, the chase is on. Can our brilliant bakers save the day- and get their gingerbread tower built in time?

Our lovable duo are off on their adventures again. Tracey's lively text is a real joy to read aloud- the pace and energy are perfect. In keeping with the Parisian setting, there are French words and expressions woven into the story, adding that extra 'Je ne sais quoi' to the tale! This was also developed through the illustrations and led to wonderful conversations about Paris and its landmarks with my class, clearly demonstrating how a fabulous book can offer so much more than a brilliant story!

As ever in these stories, so much character is conveyed in very few words. Shifty and Sam's new adversary, Cunningham Sly, is a great example of this. If using this as a class text, a great deal of character building and language development could be done based on him- as well as Shifty and Sam, of course- and even their little spider friend.

Talking of the spider, I was so pleased to see that the traditional spider hunt on each page has been maintained - with some very challenging hiding places! Every illustration in the book is an absolute joy- full of detail and humour. Steven has played with some famous masterpieces, giving them a doggy make-over, once again encouraging discussion and further investigation of the originals. As events take place around them, the sharp-eyed reader will delight in noticing changes in each painting.

Each 'Shifty' adventure leaves me longing for the next one and this is no exception! Fun and light-hearted humour are guaranteed, but the quality of both text and illustration make them something really special. I hope they are going to work their way round Europe!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece  Tracey Corderoy,

illustrated by Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow     ISBN: 978-0857639745 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa's Stolen Sleigh

Everyone’s favourite baker dogs are back in a new adventure! They’re heading to Lapland to create a feast for Father Christmas. However, when they arrive, they find that all of the elves are covered in spots. Help appears in the form of Flo Frost, a polar bear with lots of helpful gadgets. Whilst the boys bake a feast fit for Santa, Flo sets to work, but does she have a sneaky plan which could see the end of Christmas..?

I love Shifty and Sam so much! Since the first title appeared in 2015, these lovable dogs have been firm favourites. ‘Santa’s Stolen Sleigh’ is a fabulous festive treat, just right for sharing. As with each of these stories, Tracey’s wonderful rhyming text is a joy to read aloud. Bursting with moments of humour, the lines trip along perfectly and the story lends itself perfectly to encouraging children to tell their own Christmassy adventures for these adorable dogs!

Every spread is full of details to notice and offers plenty to discuss. As with the other books, there is a spider to spot on every page. I really feel they need a book all of their own as they are bursting with a cheeky personality and an adventurous spirit! The whole thing is a delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to share this!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa’s Stolen Sleigh

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788007771

Mabel and the Mountain

Mabel may be small, but she has some big ambitions. Number one of these is to climb a mountain. Her fellow flies are not very supportive, pointing out amongst other things that flies fly- they don’t climb. But Mabel is bursting with positivity and sets off immediately.

However, she soon discovers just how hard a task she has set herself. Others are quicker, stronger, louder and downright rude so Mabel considers adjusting her plans until she listens to the little voice inside, telling her that she can! She perseveres, triumphs and inspires others to follow their dreams too.

What a wonderful story for encouraging perseverance! It is not often that a fly gets a starring role, but small though she is, Mabel is delightful, showing that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard. Perfect for assemblies or PSHE lessons, Mabel is easy to relate to and when the going gets tough, children could be reminded of her attitude. I particularly like the references to others who seem better at mountaineering than Mabel, making her achievement seem all the greater for her hard work and tenacity.

Although the story packs a powerful message, it is done with humour and a light-hearted touch. The illustrations are delightful and it would be easy to engage children with creating their own fingerprint fly characters and setting them off on their own adventures. This would be a lovely story to use for a Book Hook session…

‘Mabel and the Mountain’ buzzes with its positive message about believing in yourself, persevering and achieving your dreams.

Mabel and the Mountain

Kim Hillyard

Ladybird ISBN: 978-0241407929

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Showing the imaginary migration of a blacktip reef shark, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ takes the reader on a voyage of discovery and introduces them to the underwater world. Here, they meet different types of sharks and other marine life in their habitats before finding a way back to the Great Barrier Reef and home.

Blue sun in sunken skies

the sea sharpens to the shape

of Shark off the west coast

of Australia.

So begins this magical journey, sympathetically exploring shark’s world. It is a joy to read aloud, lyrical and flowing, and sure to excite the imagination. The blacktip reef shark encounters many other species on its journey offering a fascinating glimpse of some of the different types of shark and their habitats. A little more information is included about each at the end of the book along with other things it encounters, making the perfect starting point for further investigation.

Often the focus of fear and sensationalist headlines, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ focuses on the beauty of these creatures and the essential role they play in helping to maintain the ocean’s balance. It also reminds the reader of the threats posed by climate change and the impact this is having on shark’s world.

Each glorious illustration celebrates the beauty of our oceans, showing the varied habitats of the sharks and the creatures who live alongside them. The book would make a wonderful starting point for inspiring artwork and poems about these magnificent creatures, accompanied by research. The text is rich in imagery, alliteration, kennings, repetition, onomatopoeia… showing the joy of language and the beauty of expression as well as conveying lots of fascinating information.

Perfect for reading aloud, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’ would make a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1914079054

Leap, Hare, Leap!

‘Dip-dwelling grass-grazer’ Hare leaps from landscape to landscape around the world, introducing the reader to different breeds of hares on her journey. As she ventures from place to place, Hare faces danger from predators as she encounters her

Rich in imagery, ‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ is a beautiful introduction to the world of these fascinating creatures. Using kennings, alliteration, simile and metaphor, the book is lyrical, a joy to read aloud, as well as informative. Additional facts about each hare she meets are included at the end of the book along with information about the Hare Preservation Trust. A glossary explains some of the terms used.

The artwork is as powerful as the text, full of drama and detail. Hare escapes from each predator-including the man-made ‘mechanical monster’ which destroys Woolly hare’s home- making it safely home to her leverets. This book, like ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’, is perfect for supporting work in science on animals and their habitats as well as for inspiring poetry writing.

‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ offers a love of language, beautiful illustrations and fascinating facts.

Leap Hare Leap!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1913134921

Dear Earth

Beautiful in both illustration and words, ‘Dear Earth’ explores our planet and all its wonders.

Tessa’s grandfather was an explorer and loves to share stories of his adventures with his granddaughter. Inspired by his memories, Tessa decides to write a letter to the Earth and what follows is a celebration of all the beauties and wonders of this planet. It is a real love letter, sharing her passion for the Earth as she believes that if enough people share the message, it will have a better future.

Through Tessa’s imagination and the stunning illustrations by Clara Anganuzzi, the reader experiences the diverse and glorious creatures of our planet and all the places in which they live. She blows bubbles with whales, kisses butterflies and screeches with the monkeys and birds of the rain forests. But she also reminds us that the world is a fragile place, easily hurt by people, often unintentionally, and needs love and care to flourish.

At the end of the book, there are pages offering more information about environmental issues and practical suggestions for things people can do to help.

Once we had read and enjoyed the story, each of my class wrote a letter to the Earth which will be displayed hanging from our ‘book balloon’. This has been painted to look like the cover of the book by the children with their drawings of the creatures and Tessa added. Pictures of this will be posted as soon as it’s finished.

‘Dear Earth’ is a stunning book about how special and fragile our planet is. Every class needs a copy!

Dear Earth

Isabel Otter, illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1848579415

Coming to England-An Inspiring True Story About the Windrush Generation

‘Coming to England’ is the true story of how Baroness Floella Benjamin left Trinidad and came to London as part of the Windrush generation. Having seen an advert in the newspaper, Floella’s Dardie decided to go to England to be a jazz musician, leaving Floella, her siblings and their mother in Trinidad. Their lives continued happily until a year later when Marmie left with her littlest sister and brother to join their father, leaving Floella and her sister Sandra to live with their ‘wicked’ aunt. At last it was their turn to pack and leave with their brothers for England.

First published in the 90s as a novel (I have two copies- both of which have been ‘borrowed’!) and then as a picture book illustrated by Michael Frith, Floella Benjamin’s inspirational story has been re-told for younger children, beautifully illustrated by Diane Ewen. Both pictures and text vividly convey the joy of her early life on the island of Trinidad with her large, lively family, offering much to discuss and find out about.

The children’s journey to England, the mischief they got up to and the worries they had about their new life saw them at last reunited with the rest of their family. The sense of family love is beautifully conveyed, starkly contrasting with the prejudice they faced from Londoners and the changes in circumstance they had to get used to.

Floella’s message is clear- hard work leads to a better life. The child in Trinidad who dreamt of meeting the Queen is shown achieving her dream when receiving an OBE in 2001.

Accessible and interesting autobiographies for younger children are not easily come by and this is a wonderful example to enjoy and share. It might encourage children to ask questions of their parents/ grandparents about their childhood, sharing family stories and history.

I am one of Floella’s ‘Play School Babies’ and so was very excited to meet her at Hay Festival with Jemima and Humpty a couple of years ago. She is every bit as lovely as I always imagined.

Coming to England - An Inspiring True Story About the Windrush Generation

Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Diane Ewen

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529009415

The Barnabus Project

Half elephant and half mouse, Barnabus is not quite perfect.  As only Perfect Pets are wanted, he is hidden away in a secret lab with the other Failed Projects. He dreams of seeing the world outside his tiny bell jar, places which Pip the cockroach tells him and the others about. When he learns he is to be ‘improved’ by being recycled, Barnabus doesn’t want to be made fluffier or given bigger eyes- he wants to be himself. With lots of teamwork and courage, he and the other Failed Projects escape and find their own place in the world.

Utterly adorable, Barnabus will capture both your attention and your heart. The story sends a clear message about the importance of being yourself, valuing who you are, not changing to conform to the ideals of others and finding your place in the world. It is perfect for starting conversations and challenging ideas about conventional notions of beauty or worth. Even when the other Failed Projects are frightened of what they discover in the most secret part of the secret lab, Barnabus reminds them that everyone should be valued and that they should all stick together.

The illustrations are stunning. Lift the beautiful dust jacket and the cover is like a blackboard covered in formulae and calculations. Each spread is full of details to notice and enjoy- are Wilke’s Paperclips something I should know about?! The Fan Bothers are amazingly talented, both at illustration and capturing poignant, heart warming stories perfectly.

‘The Barnabus Project’ lends itself beautifully to being at the heart of quality English work. There are so many points at which both illustration and text could be further explored through drama, discussion and writing in role to inspire artwork, poetry, stories, characters… and planning is currently being developed. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece!

The Barnabus Project The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711249448

Ocean Meets Sky

Finn remembers his grandfather who used to tell him wonderful stories. To honour him, Finn creates a boat fit for a long journey, like the one they had planned together. After his hard work, he falls asleep and in his dream, a great golden carp comes to guide him on a magical journey until he wakes to his mother’s voice.

Everything about this book is beautiful. Beneath the dust jacket, golden images shine on a deep blue background, tempting the reader to explore further. In contrast, the jacket is dusky, muted tones, yet just as lovely.

The illustrations are fabulous. Finn leaves the sepia tones of his real life for the blues and greens of his dream land. The world Finn sails through is populated by many of the objects and pictures found on his Grandfather’s desk and around his room. The Library Islands are piled high with books, many of the spines revealing familiar and much loved stories, including ‘The Night Gardener’, also by the Fan brothers.

Finn travels through this land until he reaches a starry sky, full of hot air balloons, a Chinese dragon, submarines and ships of all shapes and sizes. The golden fish, who drooping moustache resembles that of Finn’s grandfather, swims towards the full moon who bears the face of Grandfather, smiling serenely as Finn says goodbye and is called home by a familiar voice.

Love and loss are beautifully explored in this wonderful story, through both the text and the delightful illustrations. One not to be missed.

Ocean Meets Sky The Fan Brothers

Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 978-1786032058

Wisp- A Story of Hope

Idris is a refugee child, living in a world of shadows and barriers. This is the only life he knows. One day, the Wisp arrives on the evening wind, unnoticed by everyone, but Idris. For those who hold it, the Wisp evokes memories, reawakening hope and joy. For Idris who has known nothing but life in this camp, there are no memories to stir, yet he realises that for him it offers promise of change, a promise for the future.

Breathtakingly beautiful, ‘The Wisp’ is an extraordinary picture book. Hope is at the heart of the story; whatever the wisp might be- a message, a story, a secret, protest, solidarity- it offers the dream of a better future as well as the joy of memories, the importance of preserving what makes each person individual.

Full of imagery, the language used throughout the book is as stunning as the illustrations.

A swelling sea of rememberings twirled on the air and shimmered in the breeze

Idris tasted the pull of the moonlight and explored the soft scent of new knowings.

The story challenges the reader to think about refugees as real people who have past lives and hopes for the future. It challenges them to think of the darkness of the ‘small, small world’ refugees live in. It challenges them to see the individual.

The illustrations are so evocative, cleverly using colour to mirror the mood of the story and those in it. The whole book is simply captivating and offers plenty of opportunity for discussions about refugees and hope for change.

Simply stunning.

Wisp: A Story of Hope

Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Grahame Baker- Smith

Hachette ISBN: 978- 1408350119

I Really Really Need a Wee

Bush Baby is having a wee emergency. At the jiggly stage of desperation, she tries hard to think of things to take her mind off the subject, but to no avail. She searches for somewhere discrete to relieve herself, but there is nowhere to go…What is she to do?

What a delightful book! Bush Baby’s dilemma is one which many little (and not-so-little!) ones will recognise and empathise with. It is perfect for encouraging discussions about that last trip to the loo before going out, reminding children of Bush Baby’s troubles! Although I have referred to Bush Baby as ‘she’, gender is never specified, making it easy for any child to relate to her fate!

The rhyming text is bouncy and full of energy as poor Bush Baby wriggles and jiggles, trying to contain the urge as it grows stronger. Duncan Beedie has done an amazing job of capturing both the facial and bodily expressions of desperation, managing to make Bush Baby completely adorable as well as uncomfortable!

Here on the Bookshellf, we are huge fans of both members of this dream team’s work and ‘I Really Really Need a Wee’ combines their talents perfectly. I can see this becoming a firm favourite both at home and in schools up and down the country! Fabulous fun!

‘I Really Really Need a Wee’ is a gorgeous book, beautifully illustrated and bursting with laughs!

I Really Really Need a Wee

Karl Newson, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger Books ISBN: 978-1788817851