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.
How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many?
When a child meets a lovely orange dinosaur, they are delighted. But one dinosaur is never enough and soon they have ten colourful, energetic dinosaur friends. However, the disruption and chaos caused by these messy, cheeky characters is soon just too much and so the child decides that they all have to go. Once alone, the child is left feeling sad…until they are reunited with their original friend. One dinosaur is perfect!
Full of energy and humour, the rhyming text is a delight to read aloud as the antics of the dinosaurs at first delights and then worries the little child. There is no indication as to whether this is a boy or a girl, making it easy for readers to identify with the character as the adventure develops. Children will enjoy counting along as each new dinosaur appears and the book is sure to inspire counting and matching games with toys or pictures of dinosaurs.
The illustrations are wonderful, offering plenty of opportunities for finding the different dinosaurs in each picture and noticing all their antics. Children are sure to notice the worried expression on the little orange dinosaur’s face as things get out of hand and the child realises that, perhaps, what they wished for is not as good as they thought it would be! In the end, the two friends are reunited, realising that two makes perfect company!
A lovely story for home and school!
How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many?
Lou Peacock, illustrated by Nicola Slater
Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839945519
A Better Best Friend
One day, Squirrel finds a best friend, a mushroom called Pock. Together, they explore the forest, watch the leaves fall and although Pock doesn’t say much, having a best friend makes Squirrel very happy. But then Spring arrives bringing them a new friend, Moo, and Squirrel finds himself caught in a dilemma -who is his best friend? And then Gunther arrives…
Narrated by Squirrel, ‘A Better Best Friend’ explores what makes a ‘best’ friend and whether it is possible to have more than one. Full of charm and humour, it offers an excellent way to start conversations about friendship with children. Like many teachers, dealing with children who are hurt because their special friend wants to play with someone else is a common part of school life and sharing Squirrel’s quandary might well help to resolve things, encouraging them to widen their friendship group.
The book ends with a picture of the four friends playing a game of cards with the words ‘The (Better) End’ beneath, leaving the reader with an open-ended story perfect for conversations, role play and storytelling to help resolve- or not- Squirrel’s concern about having more than one ‘best’ friend and equally to consider the question from the other friends’ points of view.
Although the narrative is purely Squirrel’s, the wonderful range of expressions given speak volumes for how each character is feeling, giving each a distinctive personality. The dry humour of the text and the charming illustrations make this an engaging and thought-provoking book!
A Better Best Friend
Olivier Tallec, translated by Antony Shugaar
Gecko Press ISBN: 978-1776575732
Published 1st May
Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.
The Little Books of the Little Brontës
Sharing the story of the young Brontës, this gorgeous book not only introduces young children to the lives of this incredible family, but also inspires them to create their own miniature books and their own stories. Although pitched at a younger audience, there is much here to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. As a huge Brontë fan, I loved it!
Written with a direct appeal to the reader- If you look through the window…Let’s leave them there now…the text is very engaging and offers an overview of Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne’s childhood at the Parsonage in Haworth. That their lives had been touched by sadness with the loss of their mother and older sisters is mentioned briefly in the text, but the focus of the book is their wonderful creativity and love of telling stories. They had each other, the moors to explore- and their imaginations.
The illustrations are enchanting and anyone who has visited the Parsonage in Haworth will recognise the care with which Briony May Smith has depicted their home (although the wallpaper in the dining room is slightly different!)- the green couch, the white fire surround, the dark wooden table where they used to write. She manages to capture the wild beauty of the moors and the closeness of the family as well as giving life to their imaginings and creativity. One illustration shows Branwell painting the famous family portrait including himself, offering yet another starting point for further discussion and discovery.
An author’s note and a timeline of events are included at the end of the book, adding details about their lives beyond the focus of the story. There is also a reproduction of the family portrait with the blurry space between sisters where Branwell might once have stood. The book is a wonderful introduction to, and celebration of, the childhood of these incredible individuals.
There are instructions for how to make your own little book like those the Brontë children used to make. This is an essential addition to any Brontë lover’s collection, but also a wonderful introduction to their lives for children and adults alike.
The Little Books of the Little Brontës
Sara O’Leary and Briony May Smith
Walker ISBN: 978-1529518313
You can read about my visit to the Becoming the Brontës exhibition in Leeds here, Top Withens here and the Brontë Birthplace here.
Cat Nap
Meet a little cat who needs a nap! But there are so many things which get in the way of nap time when you are an inquisitive, busy little kitten with so much to explore!
As a lover of cats and a lover of Steve Antony’s books, I was really excited about ‘Cat Nap’- and what a joy it is. Steve has managed to capture such a toddler-like range of postures and expressions as Cat gradually gives in to nap time that any adult who has ever been part of the elaborate dance of ‘how to avoid going to sleep’ which seems to be programmed into all little ones will instantly recognise!
The book bursts with gentle humour, captured through the gorgeous illustrations and the simple text. Bedtime routine- plus detours- is established using minimal words, allowing the very youngest children to join in with telling the story - and no doubt, adding their own personal details to it. Surprisingly, it doesn’t include a bedtime story, but as the ‘voice’ is that of the adult who never appears in the illustrations, perhaps this would have been tricky!
Cat’s little face (oh, those eyes!) conveys such a wealth of emotions that the story is perfect for encouraging little ones to share how they think Cat is feeling and in turn, how they feel at these times, making it a great read not only for bedtime, but any time! I believe there are more books to come in this series which I very much look forward to seeing!
Cat Nap Steve Antony
Macmillan ISBN: 978-1035029020
Out on the 11th April!
When the Storm Came
Little Frog and his family live by the river and play on its bank, but they stay away from the old tree stump where the Big Scary Thing lives. One day, however, a very big storm suddenly arrives and Little Frog falls right into the tree stump where he comes face to face with Big Scary Thing…and realises that it might not be quite so scary after all. When the storm blows them all into the water, Little Frog is safe and happy, but the Big Scary Thing and some little scary things are in trouble so all the frogs work together to save the day!
In ‘When the Storm Came’, Chris Naylor-Ballesteros has come up trumps yet again with another wonderful story. Seemingly simple, there is so much to explore and enjoy, making it a wonderful book to share at home, at school- everywhere!
‘Big Scary Thing’ personifies all those unknown entities which, because they are unknown, unfamiliar or simply different, swell to nightmare status without really deserving it. Once faced with this particular Big Scary Thing, Little Frog initially misreads its actions and assumes he is going to be eaten, but he soon realises that the action was protective and that the Big Scary Thing was just as scared of the storm as he was and was only seeking to look after and comfort Little Frog along with the little scary things. The story offers a wonderful starting point for encouraging children (and adults!) to get to know others before judging them and to consider other viewpoints. Re-telling the story from the Big Scary Thing’s perspective offers a wonderful writing opportunity- perhaps creating a play script and acting the story out using glove puppets, or hot-seating the characters and using role play/ freeze-framing to explore their feelings.
Little Frog needs the support of his family to help Big Scary Thing. Big Scary Thing – although big and scary- needs the help of the frogs. We all need help from time to time and we should all be ready and willing to offer support when needed. With its fabulous illustrations and big-hearted story, ‘When the Storm Came’ is sure to be a winner with adults and children alike!
When the Storm Came
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Andersen ISBN: 978-1839132575
You can read my review of Frank and Bert here, Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike here and Frank and Bert: The One with the Missing Biscuits here
Is It a Seed?
When two children discover a seed, they plant it and then start to wonder what it might become. Will it be a flower? A tree? Or a magic beanstalk?
Celebrating the power of the imagination, ‘Is It a Seed?’ is an absolute joy of a book! As the children in the story chat excitedly about their treasure, they build on each other’s ideas, allowing their imaginations to run riot. They draw on stories they know, combining and creating their own visions and exploring a world of possibilities in the way children do when allowed the time and space to play and imagine! The illustrations bring their ideas vividly to life, adding plenty of details to enjoy and explore. Readers are sure to offer their own ideas, using their own experiences reading and TV/film watching to enrich and adapt their suggestions.
The book is also perfect for inspiring interest in growing seeds and watching ‘something amazing’ happen. The end papers capture the flourishing of the imagination, but page by page, there are changes in the family’s garden, showing them planting and nurturing seeds and plants through the seasons. As time passes, sharp eyed children are sure to also notice that mum is pregnant in one picture and then seen holding a baby in another! The imagination offers them immediate gratification, but their little seed takes time and patience to blossom.
‘Is It a Seed?’ is sure to become a firm story time favourite, at home and at school, perfect for sharing and then reading and re-reading/ picture browsing independently, wallowing in imaginative dreams and creating stories of their own. An absolute joy!
Is It a Seed?
Emily Ann Davison, illustrated by Adriena Fong
Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838741587
Pop!
One afternoon, Dave and his friends burst into life when a pan of corn is put on the hob. Bouncing around the pan, at last the popping stops and after a shower of sugar, they all settle down to watch a movie.
Bursting with bright, colourful illustrations, ‘Pop!’ is wonderfully quirky and full of fun! Matt Carr manages to convey such personality to Dave and his pals as they pop into life. The lively rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, with lots of ‘popping’ noises to join in with. The story also offers a brilliant excuse for making and sharing popcorn, enjoying watching the process, discussing what’s happening and relating this to the book.
The story links brilliantly to learning to count to 10- and beyond! Children will enjoy drawing Dave and his cheeky popcorn pals, numbering and naming them, as well as creating their own characters. A brilliant tale for home and school!
Pop! Matt Carr
Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702306228
We are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail
Happy in the Wibbly with the other eggs, one tiny creature is enjoying a relaxing life. Suddenly, things start changing. First, all the Wibbly friends grow tails and become tadpoles. Next, they have burst out of the Wibbly, then grown legs, then arms…and all the while, the tiny creature is reluctantly keeping up on this journey from spawn to frog!
This is one of those wonderful books which works in so many ways! ‘We are the Wibbly’, apart from having an excellent title, offers a really entertaining look at the life cycle of a frog, clearly showing each stage of development, making it an excellent teaching tool!
However, the reluctance of this one little egg to grow up and the anxiety and pressure it feels at having to keep up with the others, also makes this a reassuring story to share with little ones experiencing the same emotions. Unwilling to leave the Wibbly, the mass of frogspawn it shares with its fellows, the little frog-to-be is horrified by change in the others, the filled with self-doubt as it is left behind. Then, no sooner had it become ‘longish’ like the others than they were all bursting from the Wibbly and water-flying, causing yet more feelings of anxiety and confusion. The beauty of the way in which this story is presented is that it could also be read with older children experiencing similar emotions, allowing them to distance themselves whilst discussing the content, perhaps in relation to younger children, and allowing them to explore ways of coping with these feelings. Indeed, there are days when I think ‘Oh my crikeys!’ at just how fast time is passing and how much things are changing!
There will be people who are not fans of the use (or misuse!) of grammar to express the little creature’s thoughts, but this just adds to the charm of the story! It also lends itself quite brilliantly to being the basis for a fun lesson about the use of subject-verb agreement in ‘standard’ English by playing with, and creating, sentences which defy the rules as well as those which conform.
The illustrations are just wonderful. Full of colour and energy, they capture the contrast between little creature’s reactions to its changing circumstances and those of its fellows, offering much to discuss. Children could write from the viewpoint of one of the other tadpoles, showing how their experiences differ.
Hilarious and heartwarming!
We are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail
Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Jane McGuinness
Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526627346
Published 28th March 2024
The Best Eid Ever
‘The Best Ever Eid’ shares the story of Aisha and her family as they get ready to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Now that Ramadan is over, Aisha is looking forward to her favourite part of the festival- following the treasure hunt to find her Eid gifts. But first, there are many Eid customs and traditions to prepare for this very special festival.
This is such a lovely picture book, a perfect introduction to the festival for those who are not familiar with it whilst capturing the joy of those celebrating it themselves. From her father and her brother, Samir, returning from the mosque with news that the crescent moon has been seen, Aisha’s sense of excitement around the festivities is beautifully portrayed both through the story and the lovely illustrations accompanying it.
Following the family as Mum and Aisha decorate their hands with henna, the family dress in their new clothes and visit the mosque, everyone gathers to share special food and give gifts and finally take part in the treasure hunt to find the Eid presents gives the reader a sense of just what a special, joyful occasion Eid is and how much happiness sharing it with family and friends brings. A lovely book to share!
The Best Ever Eid
Sufiya Ahmed, illustrated by Hazem Asif
Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801993777
You can read my review of ‘Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy’ here and Rosie Raja: Mission to Cairo here.
Footprint
This gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book invites the reader to take a walk through the wonders of nature, taking time to appreciate the world around them whilst taking care of it, leaving only footprints behind. The language is carefully chosen, offering a lyrical read which is a joy to share.
Encouraging exploration and discovery, the text reflects the fact that the way ahead might not always be level, but with determination and resilience, difficulties can be overcome. The journey might include darkness and danger, but pausing and breathing, continuing with hope, the way ahead is full of possibilities and wonder. There is so much to reflect upon here- how nature affects us, the negative (and positive) impacts humans can have on the world, the importance of caring for nature- making the book a joy to return to again and again.
The illustrations are wonderful! Soft colours glow with the beauty of different landscapes and children will enjoy identifying the many creatures, birds, plants and insects which appear on every spread. The endpapers are a riot of colourful footprints and starry footprints made of stars line the night’s sky, recalling the importance of the book’s title and the meaning it carries.
‘Footprint’ could easily be used in school with classes, as the basis for an assembly, to celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd April or World Environment Day on the 5th June. However, it is an important book to share not only for its message about looking after the world, but for its focus on self care, reminding children to breathe through difficult moments and be optimistic about the future.
Footprint
Phil Cummings and Sally Soweol Han
Allen and Unwin ISBN: 978-1761180323
My Friend Andy
Everyday, Fluffy walks through the city to the park with Mum and Lily, passing Andy on the way. Although Fluffy longs to play with him, this is never allowed- until one day, Fluffy gets lost and is rescued by Andy and his dad, who make sure Fluffy, Mum and Lily are reunited once more.
A little dog full of energy and love, Fluffy sees the world through innocent, non-judgemental, keen to make friends with everyone. When lost and alone, it is homeless Andy and his dad who come to Fluffy’s rescue, offering care and comfort and asking nothing in return. The story is simply told- and yet packed with poignant moments, encouraging empathy and understanding.
The illustrations are wonderful. The street scenes are teeming with life, full of captivating characters (canine and human!) and details to notice, offering plenty of stories to tell. When Fluffy gets lost, all the colour drains away and the busyness of the streets loses its friendly atmosphere until the comforting colours of Andy and his dad appear. The ending shows not only a happy reunion between Fluffy and family, but a new friendship and understanding with Andy and his dad.
Perfect for sharing and starting conversations about how we might view the homeless, ‘My Friend Andy’ is a gorgeous book!
My Friend Andy Emma Chinnery
Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801045803
Published 14th March
Frank and Bert: The One with the Missing Biscuits
Frank and Bert are best friends who love going on picnics together. However, picnics are not without possible perils- rain, wasps and even scary squirrels- but Frank is convinced that today’s picnic is going to be perfect, particularly as Bert has a big box with a surprise in it! When Bert falls asleep, Frank can’t resist taking a peek inside the box and sees that Frank has made his favourite biscuits. Confident Bert won’t mind if he tries one, Frank eats first one, then two…until he realises every last biscuit has gone. How will he explain this to Bert?
I am the biggest Frank and Bert fan! Full of humour and heart, the ‘Frank and Bert’ stories explore the joys of friendship- and the foibles we all share! In this story, Frank is faced with the dilemma of explaining the missing biscuits to Bert (something my husband often has to do!)- should he tell the truth or concoct an elaborate story involving ten scary squirrels? Their friendship is so strong that Frank can’t bear to continue the lie and admits what he has done. Bert’s instant response is to forgive and the story offers plenty to discuss and think about. These adorable characters are so easy to identify with and the ending is just perfect- classic Frank and Bert- making the book sure to become a firm favourite.
The illustrations are as wonderful as ever! There is so much for children to ‘read’ in the pictures as Frank and Bert experience a whole range of emotions, but my favourite spread by far is the one of the two friends sharing a hug as Bert forgives Frank! Children might enjoy creating glove or finger puppets of these lovely characters, enabling them to act out this story- and to create their own.
Frank and Bert are the perfect double act and I hope there are many more stories about them to come.
Frank and Bert: The One with the Missing Biscuits
Chris Naylor- Ballesteros
Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1805130673
Published 14th March
Originally reviewed for Reading Zone
You can read my reviews of ‘Frank and Bert’ here and Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike’ here.
The Library Mouse
Quill the mouse lives in a library where everyday he watches the faces of children enjoying story time and wishes that he could be an author one day. With the help of his friend, Leggsy the spider, he tries to get his story noticed- but with no success. However, just as he starts to lose hope, his dearest dream comes true.
There is so much to recommend this beautiful story! Starting with the setting, it shows a love of libraries, books and story time which is a joy to see. The illustrations show a wealth of book-ish wonder, the perfect backdrop to Quill’s dreams, and sure to encourage children to share stories of their favourite books- and libraries!
Quill himself is a wonderful character. With support from Leggsy, his spidery friend, his determination to share his story and fulfil his ambition to be an author is admirable. With each setback, he tries again until…but I won’t spoil the story for you! The illustrator shows a wonderful range of expressions on his little face as Quill experiences a whole range of emotions on his journey to become an author, encouraging empathy with his feelings as well as admiration for his tenacity as a mouse trying to be heard in the human world!
Told in rhyme, the text is a joy to read aloud, using some wonderful vocabulary. His ‘frisky friend’ Leggsy ‘jitterbugged by’, for example, whilst Quill ‘whisker-wobblingly wept’. There is so much here to explore and enjoy! Advice at the back of the book encourages children to have the confidence to write their own stories, finding their own way to share these. I am sure some will be inspired to make tiny books like Quill’s and create a library of their own!
The Library Mouse
Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O’Connor
UCLan ISBN: 978-1915235893
Published on the 4th April 2024
You can read my review of ‘An Artist’s Eyes’ here.
The Dolls’ House
One day, when Mia and her mother are walking back to their new house, she spots a worn, uncared for dolls’ house sitting on the side of the road. Mia falls in love with it and takes it home where she paints it sunshine yellow. The house soon attracts other children who come to play with it all summer long. Just one child watches from across the street, resisting Mia’s friendly gestures. When a storm comes, the dolls’ house is damaged, but help and kindness soon arrive from a surprising quarter.
This joyful story is a wonderful celebration of play, friendship and kindness! Perfect for sharing, the book offers much to enjoy. I love the idea of an old, discarded, shabby toy finding a new lease of life in the hands of a creative, imaginative child and her joy in it spreading to other children, forming bonds of friendship. In such a throwaway world, this idea of valuing and re-inventing toys is an important one to nurture.
Not only does the story explore how important imaginative play is and how creative children can be, it also shows how the shy child who perhaps finds it hard to be part of a group will shine given the right situation. Marley (the child from over the road) shows true kindness and understanding when Mia needs a friend, kindness which she returns by sharing her precious toy.
The illustrations are lovely, full of details to explore and things to spot. The range of dolls which the children bring to join in the fun can be seen in the different pictures, the expressions on their faces changing almost as if they were alive and responding to the events of the story! Children may well enjoy telling the tale from the point of view of their favourite character- or creating stories about the dolls in their new home. The book had me itching to create a dolls’ house from cardboard boxes as we used to do when my son was little and I am sure that I will not be alone in this! Like the children in the story, with lots of creativity and a pinch of imagination, lots of furniture and accessories will be created from whatever can be found, making the venture all the more fun!
A really lovely story!
The Dolls’ House
Tanya Rosie, illustrated by Claudia Ravalli
OUP ISBN: 978-0192783899
Published on the 7th March
Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders
A little girl considers her family photos in which everyone wears matching clothes, shoes and smiles. But one feature doesn’t match- her eyes are not like those of any one else in the pictures. As she spends time with each of her parents, she observes and reflects upon their eyes and the bonds of love which bind them. However, she knows that somewhere there is someone with ‘eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea’- eyes just like hers- and she knows that her eyes spin stories as they connect her birth culture and her adoptive culture.
Lyrical text is framed by glowing illustrations in this gorgeous book which explores the feelings of a transracial adopted child as she considers her connection to the family she is with now and the family of her past. In an introductory note, one of the authors, Liz SoHyeon Kleinrock, frames the book in the context of her personal experience as a transracial adoptee, offering much to reflect upon for those with no direct experience of adoption and support for those who have, both child and adult. Although never specified, there are clues in the text/ illustrations which indicate that, like Liz, the adopted child is Korean.
As the little girl wonders, recalling fragments of memories, both real and imagined, the story supports the way to discussion of quite complex questions and emotions- the balancing and reconciling of two lives, the importance of recognising different cultures, the ‘what ifs?’ of a life unknown. Told through the child’s eyes, these feelings are all the more poignant. The illustrations are gorgeous, full of details to notice. Swallows, symbols of joy and comfort in Korean culture, lift from the pattern of her duvet cover, leading her through her memories. A picture on top of the piano shows a child in a hanbok, presumably the little girl in the one which ‘travelled with me between lives’.
Sensitive and warm, this is a book full of love.
Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders
Joanna Ho with Liz Kleinrock, illustrated by Dung Ho
Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0063057777
You can read my review of ‘Eyes that Kiss in the Corners’ here.
One Goose, Two Moose
Lining up for ice cream should be easy. There’s a goose line and a moose line- so why won’t everyone line up where Simon, the line managing goose, wants them to?
Stories like this are a complete joy to read aloud. Children- whether in a class or at home- will delight in joining in the fun, giggling at the antics of moose and geese as Simon’s frustration mounts! The visual humour of a moose standing in the goose line will set them off before the text gets there by which time they will be eagerly anticipating the next ‘count’ to the familiar pattern of ‘one potato, two potato’ with its inevitable interruptions! The ending is suitably satisfying and funny with the illustrations adding much to the humour.
Not only is this a giggle-fest of a tale, the story has great potential for encouraging counting, ordering and sorting. Children could draw their own pictures of geese and moose (or use those drawn or printed by an adult) to create the lines waiting for ice cream. These can be counted and matched to show whether the number of creatures is the same, more or less in each line. Simple addition and subtraction activities might also develop as well as plenty of play around hiding creatures in the wrong lines! The illustrations show such a wealth of personalities queuing up for an ice cream treat that children are sure to quickly develop back stories for the characters and happily create stories about them.
If ever there was a story which offered an excuse for one of my favourite culinary pastimes- making ice cream- this is it! Or perhaps it could lead to an ice cream parlour themed play area with some simple money work… There are so many ways this book could be used at home or at school, but best of all, it is a delightfully funny, brilliantly illustrated story which will be a great favourite anytime!
One Goose, Two Moose
Kael Tudor, illustrated by Nicola Slater
Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702307676
What Rosa Brought
Rosa lives in Vienna. Whilst her parents work in their shop each day, she is looked after by her grandmother. With the arrival of the Nazis, things change for Jews like Rosa and her family until new rules mean they can’t own shops or run businesses. Resourceful and intelligent, Dad starts to make trunks which he sells one at a time to their departing Jewish neighbours, even creating one with a false bottom to hide a precious Torah. Desperately waiting for a visa which will allow them to flee the country, Rosa imagines what each of her family might take with them, but when the visa finally comes, there isn’t one for Grandma so what she actually takes with her is her Grandmother’s love.
Drawing on the experiences of his own family, Jacob Sager Weinstein has used his mother’s memories and historical sources to create this deeply moving and tender story. According to the author’s note, Rosa- his mother- is now an eighty-seven year old woman and the inclusion of family photographs makes the story all the more poignant.
Text and illustrations combine perfectly to tell Rosa’s story. Relatively short, simple sentences effectively capture her rapidly changing life whilst the pictures add unspoken details of the dark events unfolding around her. The bright, happy spreads which depict life before the Nazi invasion form a stark contrast to the ominous, darker ones which follow. There is much to discuss here, much to contemplate and much to empathise with. The love of this family shines clearly through, offering a sense of hope. The final image of Rosa, darkness behind her, clutching her Grandmother’s love to her heart, surrounding by the shadow of her grandmother whilst looking over the side of a ship towards the Statue of Liberty in the light is quite stunning. Even the endpapers are carefully composed.
Heart-rending and unforgettable, ‘What Rosa Brought’ is a wonderful read.
What Rosa Brought
Jacob Sager Weinstein, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0063056480
Published 14th March
Picture a Poem: Hope is the Thing with Feathers
‘Hope is the Thing with Feathers’ is a poem written by American poet, Emily Dickinson, and published in 1891. In it, she compares hope to a bird, found singing even in the darkest times, and never asking for a thing in return, a reminder of what a powerful thing hope is.
This is the first in a new series called ‘Picture a Poem’ from Magic Cat which uses stunning illustrations to introduce young readers to a world of wonderful poetry. In this book, Tim Hopgood’s lively, colourful pictures support understanding of the poem, opening doors for plenty of discussion about Emily Dickinson’s words and the power of hope and as well as introducing the idea of metaphor without even mentioning the term! Children will enjoy spotting the bird on each page, following its travels through the pictures, bravely singing whatever the weather.
A short biography of Emily Dickinson is included at the end of the book, offering the perfect starting point for further investigation of her life and work, a brief explanation of the poem and a glossary of some of the terms used. All of this supports, not only a child reading independently, but a parent or teacher who wants to share the poem with their class. The final page shows the poem presented as plain text, allowing the reader to see the lines without illustrations.
Bringing the joy of poetry to younger children in this way is a wonderful idea, a gentle way of familiarising them with poems they are sure to return to, remember and enjoy as they grow. The benefits of a series like this to older children and adults should not be underestimated either. I can’t wait for the next title which is to be a poem from Benjamin Zephaniah.
Picture a Poem: Hope is the Thing with Feathers
Emily Dickinson, illustrated by Tim Hopgood
Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569196
Published 29th February
Two Rabbits
When Little Grey Rabbit and Little Brown Rabbit argue, their unkind words are carried by the wind. They go off in separate directions, each angry and upset, but sad and alone, they realise how much they are missing their friendship and both seek to make amends.
This delightful story captures the quarrels typical of so many childhood friendships. Quickly spoken, thoughtless phrases like Don’t be so mean! I’m not your friend anymore! I don’t like you! are exchanged before the story of the two little rabbits is told in parallel as they struggle with their frustrations and anger until this fizzles out, leaving each keen to forgive and be forgiven.
Perfect for starting discussions and developing ways of dealing with inevitable squabbles, this is a story for both home and school, encouraging children to value their friendships and acknowledge their role in disagreements. The illustrations are lovely. Simple and uncluttered, their focus is on the little rabbits and their emotions with the colours of the weather reflecting their changing feelings. The endpapers show a map, allowing readers to follow each little rabbit on their journey.
A lovely story!
Two Rabbits
Larissa Ferenchuk and Prue Pittock
EK Books ISBN: 978-1922539656
Published 13th February 2014
Tiny Owl’s Scary Day
Tiny Owl doesn’t want to go to bed. She wants to explore the daytime, but Mummy Owl says it can be a scary time for a small owl. However, Tiny Owl is not to be deterred and sets off on an adventure.
I love Petr Horacek’s illustrations. They are so full of colour, energy and warmth, engaging little readers instantly- and Tiny Owl is a real joy! The story is a simple one as Tiny Owl boldly sets off on an adventure in the daytime. Initially, things are exciting, but readers will notice the dangers she fails to see as she explores. As she continues investigating, she is blissfully ignorant, not only of the perils she has escaped, but also of her mother’s protective presence in the background.
Children will enjoy joining in with the noises she hears as the story builds in a familiar pattern and are sure to feel comfortable with sharing things which they find scary and discussing these. The illustrations (as I have already mentioned!) are a real joy! I love the spread where, missing Tiny Owl who has taken off, hits the water with a huge splash and the feeling of how tiny and alone Tiny Owl is, surrounded by blues, before the comforting appearance of Mummy arrives.
Sure to become a firm favourite, this is a beautiful story!
Tiny Owl’s Scary Day Petr Horacek
Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529509274