Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime
A family trip to Crete, organised by her history-obsessed younger brother, is not Netta’s idea of the perfect summer holiday, especially as it means she is missing a swimming gala. However, soon after her arrival, she finds herself caught in very realistic dreams which drag her back into the past - to the time of King Minos and the creation of the labyrinth. As she finds herself more and more absorbed by the past, Netta and her brother, Remy, must work out what keeps drawing her into the past before she finds she can’t return to the present.
Perfect summer reading, ‘Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime’ is a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read. Although it draws on Greek mythology, readers do not need to be familiar with these stories to appreciate this book- but are sure to want to explore them once they have!
Pulled into the past, Netta finds she can be seen by ‘Ari’, a princess who believes Netta to be a ‘tricksy muse’. As the two develop a friendship, Netta realises, with the help of Remy, that Ari is Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. Although the paths of other characters that she meets- Dae (Daedalus), Russ (Icarus), Minos- are clear through the stories which have been passed down, it is less clear what happened to Ariadne, raising the question of how often the stories of women and children are glossed over. ‘Being unseen by history doesn’t mean life wasn’t worth living’ is very much at the heart of this story, one of the many reasons this would make an excellent class story, offering plenty to discuss and encourage questioning.
The story is rich in historical details, weaving the Knossos of myth with the ruins of today, offering a the perfect background to this time travel with a difference. There is so much to enjoy in this book!
Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime
Jennifer Claessen
Uclan Publishing ISBN: 978-1916747593
An Ocean Full of Stories
The latest in this wonderful series celebrating traditional tales from around the world, ‘An Ocean Full of Stories’ offers a wealth of water related folklore. Thoughtfully retold by Angela McAllister, the fifty stories have been gathered into six sections: Fishy Tales; Crossing the Water; Pools, Lakes and Rivers; Tricks and Trials; Oceans, Gods and Water Spirits; and Beside the Sea, Beneath the Waves.
The book holds an inspiring range of tales, including familiar favourites like Dionysus and the Pirates and The Fisherman and his Wife and those which are possibly less well-known such as Tambanokano or The Octopus and the Whale. There are trickster tales, pourquoi stories, fables and creation stories- something for everyone- and all inspired by the ocean.
Like the others in this series, this book is a real gift for teachers- or anyone working with children. For an assembly or a story time, they are perfect for enriching the curriculum, perhaps linked to a ‘watery’ topic, for discussing and above all, for enjoying. But this collection is also perfect for families to share and enjoy, discovering story telling traditions across the world.
Each story is expertly and carefully retold and accompanied by colourful, detailed illustrations. An absolute treat for everyone!
An Ocean Full of Stories: 50 Folk Tales and Legends from Around the World
Angela McAllister, illustrated by Sally Agar
Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711295896
You can read my review of ‘A World Full of Nature Stories’ here, ‘A World Full of Winter Stories’ here and ‘Once Upon a Hillside’ here.
East Asian Folktales, Myths and Legends
The latest title in the Scholastic ‘Folktales, Myths and Legends’ series offers a collection of stories from East Asia, thoughtfully retold by Eva Wong Nava. The anthology includes tales from China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Mongolia and is a much needed and very welcome addition to the range of traditional stories available.
The book opens with an excellent introduction which clarifies much for readers who are not familiar with these stories or the countries where they originate. It explains how these stories spread, why there are themes and tales common to more than one location and celebrates the oral tradition of storytelling. It also reflects on religious and social influences which have shaped the stories. It makes a fascinating read and adds much to the enjoyment of the book.
Organised into five sections- Origin and Discovery Tales, Festival Stories, Animal Tales, Tales of Good, Wise and Brave, and Ancient Love Stories- each story has a brief introduction, offering background knowledge and context. The tales are beautifully retold and are wonderful to read aloud, making them a joy to share. I have always loved the story of Momotaro and really enjoyed the version included here!
I can’t recommend this collection highly enough as it is sure to introduce new readers to the joy of some wonderful traditional tales and inspire them to share these with others.
East Asian Folktales, Myths and Legends
Eva Wong Nava, illustrated by Jocelyn Kao
Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702325236
You can read my review of ‘I Love Chinese New Year’ here.
Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm
Peregrine Quinn has always loved hearing her godfather, Daedalus’s stories about being an immortal, but when they visit the Bodleian Library and the portals that connect the Terran Realm with the Cosmic Realm mysteriously shut down and he is kidnapped, she finds herself thrust into a desperate race to rescue him before an ancient evil is unleashed on the world. With help from dryad librarian, Rowan Strong, and Olympus Inc. liaison Callimachus Thorn, a faun, the fate of the world is in Peregrine’s hands.
What a story! ‘Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm’ is packed with magic and myth, action and adventure, making it an unputdownable read from the very first page.
Rich in references to Greek mythology, the plot romps along at a pleasing pace with many surprising twists and turns- and plenty of humour. The story moves from Oxford to the rivers of London and into the Under-Underground, transportation for Immortals to sites of significant Cosmic interest, and the dangers of the Under Realm, with each location being vividly brought to life.
Peregrine makes an amazing heroine as she faces challenges with determination, courage and ingenuity. Impulsive at times, her relationship with Rowan Strong, who likes to play by the rules and as a career Librarian finds a ‘lack of adequate information…particularly stress-inducing’, is wonderfully captured as the two come to appreciate and rely on one another.
‘Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm’ would make an excellent class read, offering plenty to discuss and enjoy- and more to look forward to in future books in the series.
Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm
Ash Bond
Piccadilly ISBN: 978-1800786806