Elves On Strike

Trouble is brewing in Santa’s workshop as the exhausted elves decide that they have had enough. The gift wrappers are stressed and fed up with tricky-to-wrap presents whilst grumpy reindeer are proving hard to train for elves who coach them. They all walk out…all except one little elf who is in the workshop when a heart-felt message arrives. The elf take this to Santa who calls a meeting of the elves and with some team work and a sprinkling of Christmas cheer, everything is soon back on track!

With its bright, colourful illustrations, plenty of flaps to lift and bouncy, rhyming text, ‘Elves on Strike’ is a real seasonal treat! Children will love exploring the chaotic clutter of the workshop and will find different details to giggle over each time the story is shared.

Amid the frenzied preparations and stressful expectations of the ‘perfect’ Christmas it is easy to forget what Christmas is all about- love, hope, sharing and kindness. Many adults will empathise with the overworked elves and sharing the story might lead to some teamwork in the build up to the ‘big’ day! At the very least, it will provide a fun-filled break and some laughter!

Older children might be inspired to create a lift-the- flap scene or card for younger siblings or friends and the pictures offer many opportunities for imaginative story-telling. Each elf is bursting with personality and could easily be the star of their own tale!

The flaps will need careful handling so the book is not spoilt, but this is one which can appear year after year and become a firm festive favourite!

Elves on Strike

Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Pauline Gregory

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838916411

Blitz: One Family’s War

Martin Impey is well known to teachers for the wonderful series about Ben and his best friend, Ray, and their wartime experiences which he created with Hilary Robinson. The richly detailed illustrations combined with the accessible text makes them perfect for sharing with children and deepening their knowledge and understanding of events during WWI. In ‘A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan’, the same team worked their magic once more, creating a book based on the true story of the gardeners of Heligan who went to fight in Great War. In ‘Blitz’, Martin has created another masterpiece of illustration and storytelling which is not only a compelling read, but also a real gift to anyone teaching this period of history.

Inspired by his childhood stories, Martin has created a powerful, engaging and brilliant book which reflects the level of precise, careful research Martin brings to all his work. Through the experiences of the family living at number 2, Dane Street in Bow, readers get a real sense of how their lives changed from before the war to the point at which two of the children are evacuated. A sense of immediacy is created, allowing readers to share their hopes and fears as they continue their daily lives amid the chaos and uncertainty of the Blitz.

I have no wish to imply that this is not a book for families to share and discuss nor for independent readers to thoroughly enjoy; however, as a teacher, it is impossible not to see the incredible value of a text like this in breathing life into lessons. At a time when much of the creativity and inspiration sadly seems to be being leached from the school day, books like this are essential!

There are many points at which role play, hot seating, freeze framing and other drama techniques could be used to explore the thoughts and feelings of those in the story, developing empathy, comprehension, prediction and perhaps leading to children creating narratives from different viewpoints. There are opportunities for writing diary entries, letters and poems as well as various types of factual writing, many inspired by Martin’s amazing illustrations. The book also lends itself to historical research techniques and using first and second hand sources.

There are so many details to notice in the illustrations which may lead children to pose questions for further investigation: Why is the train taking evacuees labelled ‘Pied Piper’? Is there really a road called ‘Sugar Loaf Walk’? Did people really spot unexploded bombs? Natural curiosity might lead to much additional discovery.

Evocative storytelling and stunning illustrations combine to make ‘Blitz’ an incredibly special book- and I can’t wait for the story to continue in ‘Evacuees’.

Blitz: One Family’s War

Martin Impey

Harbour Moon Publishing ISBN: 978-1916062535

You can read my review of ‘A Song for Will’ here, the Ben and Ray books here and ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ here.

A Symphony of Stories

This companion volume to ‘Once Upon a Tune’ continues to share the joy of music and art, inspiring young readers to explore the world of classical music and the stories it tells. ‘A Symphony of Stories’ offers six stories, most ‘retold from the original tales which inspired the composer’ and each beautifully illustrated. It is a stunning celebration of creativity- a book to keep and treasure.

Mayhew’s passion for these pieces shines through in his introduction, the accompanying notes and, above all, his fabulous illustrations which are completely captivating. There are even suggested recordings for each piece included, making it easy for adults at home or at school to share the music with children whilst enjoying the stories. From a teacher's perspective, the book is perfect for enriching the curriculum: music appreciation lessons, assemblies, story times, art lessons- all these are more could be inspired by ‘A Symphony of Stories’, sprinkling a little much- needed creative joy into learning!

I particularly enjoy ‘The Sunken Cathedral’ by Debussy, based on the Breton legend of the city of Ys, and ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ by H Zhanhao and Chen Gang, perhaps because I was less familiar with them. The notes at the end of the book were really helpful, both for background and for ‘understanding’ the music. I hope James Mayhew continues to write more books like this- and ‘Once Upon a Tune’- breathing life and love into more musical stories.

A Symphony of Stories

James Mayhew

Otter-Barry ISBN: 978-1915659347

You can read my review of ‘Once Upon a Tune’ here.

The Christmas Tree Mouse

The Christmas Tree Mouse is on a mission- to help Santa on his busiest night of the year. And when she notices that baby Ola has been left the wrong present, the Christmas Tree Mouse swings into action, using all her special equipment to get the job done, no matter what cat-astrophe might arise!

Perfect for the festive season, ‘The Christmas Tree Mouse’ is the very thing for snuggling down and sharing in the run up to Christmas. Taking inspiration from the mouse mentioned in the poem by Clement Clarke Moore, Joseph Coelho has created a story explaining the important role of the Christmas Tree Mouse and how she is rewarded in the end!

The Christmas Tree Mouse is an endearing, charming character who takes their duties very seriously. There are many little details to chuckle over and enjoy - I love the idea that Santa squeezes through the letter box! The illustrations are gorgeous with plenty to notice, including the wonderful range of expressions on the Christmas Tree Mouse’s face as she goes about her work, faces and overcomes the danger posed by the household cat! The use of warm Christmas lights against the velvety dark of the night creates a really Christmassy atmosphere, adding to the enjoyment of this cosy tale.

Alongside the milk, mince pies and carrots, families are sure to start leaving a lump of cheese for the Christmas Tree Mouse!

The Christmas Tree Mouse

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Farah Shah

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241585481

The Midnight Mitzvah

Hanina Chipmunk loves to gather nuts and share these with her friends. She also enjoys the praise and compliments she gets for doing so when Mathilda Squirrel gruffly refuses her help, Hanina can’t understand. Leon Mouse explains to her that Mathilda used to be a champion nut collector and is embarrassed that she now needs help. Helping others is a mitzvah (a good deed), but so is not embarrassing someone, leaving Hanina wondering how to achieve both things. She decides to go and leave nuts at Mathilda’s house at night and is confronted on her journey by a Great Horned Owl. Fortunately for Hanina, the owl is sympathetic to her explanation for being out and about at night and lets her go on her way and accomplish her mission.

A note at the end of the book explains that ‘The Midnight Mitzvah’ was inspired by a 2,000-year-old tale found in the Talmud, one of the most important books in Judaism. However, this lovely story holds an important message for everyone, regardless of their faith. Charity is a wonderful, much needed thing, but is not something which should be done simply for reward or recognition. Hanina enjoys being praised for her good deeds, which is quite natural, but also learns that the outcome of a good deed is more important than this. This delightful story offers much to discuss and would make an excellent text for an assembly or PSHE session in school as well as for sharing at home.

The illustrations are delightful. Full of colour and atmosphere, they convey a sense of the threats of night time for the young chipmunk without being too frightening for little ones. Hanina has such a lovely little face she is sure to appeal to all readers!

Notes at the end of the book offer additional information about other elements of Jewish tradition and culture connected with the story, offering support for those not familiar with these, but keen to learn. It is a lovely book and one which should be added to shelves everywhere!

The Midnight Mitzvah

Ruth Horowitz, illustrated by Jenny Meilihove

Barefoot Books ISBN: 978-8888592359

Bothered by Bugs

Pete the badger is happily sharing a recipe book with the other woodland creatures when a pesky fly ruins everything. Soon all the animals are busy catching every fly they can find and putting them in jars. Then they notice that there are bugs everywhere and quickly scoop them up too. At last, the woods are free from all these pests…But the animals soon realise that with all the bugs in jars, there is no one to do the pollinating or break down all the waste materials.

‘Bothered by Bugs’ is another instant classic from the wonder that is Emily Gravett. Pete- star of the previous books ‘Tidy’ and ‘Too Much Stuff’- is well known for his love of neatness and order, but in this story, he learns just how important these ‘annoying’ creatures are to the ecosystem and how interference with the natural order of things can have a devastating impact on the environment. Told in rhyming text, the story is an absolute joy to read aloud!

The illustrations are fabulous, full of detail and humour, and children will have fun spotting characters from ‘Tidy’ and ‘Too Much Stuff’ who make an appearance. But the joy doesn’t stop there! Lift the dust jacket of ‘Bothered by Bugs’ and the book which Pete is reading, ‘How to Cook Fruit: A Culinary Badger’s Guide to Preparing Fruit’, is revealed, complete with tea stains and badger paw prints. There are recipes to try on the end papers, including a very tasty looking Summer Pudding which we will by trying! The inside cover of the dust jacket shows the bugs which the woodland creatures capture, offering an instant guide to insects, allowing children to become insect spotters and come to appreciate the roles which they play.

Perfect for using as a Book Hook for activities at a story session, for sharing at home or using to inspire work in school, ‘Bothered by Bugs’ is another must have title from Emily Gravett.

Bothered by Bugs

Emily Gravett

Two Hoots ISBN: 978- 1529028065

You can read my review of ‘Tidy’ here, ‘Too Much Stuff’ here and ‘Cyril and Pat’ here.

Book Tour: Freedom Braids

Today, I am bringing the Book Tour for ‘Freedom Braids’ to its conclusion. With October being Black History Month in the UK, this is a perfect book for starting conversations and celebrating the role played by courageous women.

Although a fictional story, ‘Freedom Braids’ was inspired by historical events. Nemy toils in the fields every day, working on a plantation in Columbia. One night, she follows Big Mother, one of the older slaves, and watches as she and the other women braid their hair. But these braids contain hidden messages, signalling the slaves’ intention to escape and offering guidance which leads them to freedom.

Lantana always produce beautiful, thoughtful books and this is no exception. On one level, it teaches readers about the importance, and significance, of braided hairstyles in the fight for freedom, but it is also celebrates the ingenuity, resilience and nurturing shared by women in these awful circumstances. The connection they feel as they share the collective experience of separating ‘sections of hair, just like their mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers and ancestors had done’ is beautifully captured, a really poignant moment in a poignant story. It is a powerful, emotive read and one which will lead to many discussions- not just for Black History Month, but at any time!

A note by the author at the end of the book offers additional information about ‘these cornrowed maps’ and the illustrator’s wonderful artwork shows named examples on the endpapers. The illustrations throughout are really evocative and well worth lingering over. The cover image is stunning- the golden glow hinting at the freedom referred to in the title.

‘Freedom Braids’ will be out in all good UK bookshops on October 3rd and I recommend you order a copy now!

Freedom Braids

Monique Duncan, illustrated by Oboh Moses

Lantana ISBN: 978-1915244802

Many thanks to the lovely Katrina and Lantana for inviting me to take part today!

Free as a Bird

Jonas, the lighthouse keeper, wakes one morning, having dreamed about flying, free as a bird. Desperate to share with his friend, Blue the whale, Jonas sets off at once to find her. When he finds her, Jonas sees Blue has an exhausted bird on her head. Quickly, the friends take the bird back to the lighthouse where he is able to tell his story to Blue who can understand his tweets. Forced to flee from a beautiful country which is now in the grip of war, the little bird has undertaken a perilous journey in the hope of finding a safe place. As the little bird grows stronger, other birds arrive, singing the same song of freedom. Helped by Blue and Jonas, they stay until they have regained their strength before moving on, but their new friend has found a new home.

Revisiting the characters from ‘I Love You, Blue’, ‘Free as a Bird’ is a gorgeous story, celebrating the importance of compassion, love and a place to call home. Thought-provoking and moving, the story uses the idiom ‘free as a bird’ to explore the plight of refugees, cleverly contrasting the freedom from worry and trouble which the expression implies with the realities of the bird’s experiences.

To use another idiom, Blue and Jonas are the bird’s ‘lighthouse in a storm’, a place of safety where he is lucky to find a compassionate, understanding welcome. Their care for the bird and the refuge they offer to the many other birds who come seeking sanctuary is a joy to see as the book reaches its very satisfying, heart-warming conclusion. The illustrations are just delightful, full of charm and character.

A very powerful story, perfect for developing empathy, ‘Free as a Bird’ is a must have!

Free as a Bird

Barroux

Otter-Barry Books     ISBN: 978-1915659330

You can read my review of ‘I Love You, Blue’ here.

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share

Hare lives on his own and grows turnips. When a family of rabbits move in to the other side of the woods, they ask if he has any turnips that he can share, but he sends them away, saying he doesn’t like to share with anyone. One day, when out walking, he notices that the rabbits have grown a lovely patch of carrots which they invite him- and other animals from the wood- to share. He refuses, but when a huge boar threatens to destroy all their hard work, Hare is determined to help them.

With a wonderful message about the importance of sharing, ‘The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share’ is perfect for developing conversations about community and working together. Hare believes that he is happy- he grows his own turnips, working hard for himself and keeping all his produce. When he sees the rabbits sharing the results of their hard work with the other animals, it gives him plenty to think about. Why when they have so little would they want to give away so much? The story offers plenty of opportunity for role play and hot-seating activities to help children explore and understand the feelings of different characters at different points in the book. The conclusion is just perfect with Hare coming to realise the benefits of being part of a community, of sharing and working with others.

The illustrations are utterly adorable. Each character is bursting with personality and there is so much to notice and enjoy in every picture, making this a book to return to again and again! One for every bookshelf!

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share

Steve Small

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398522299

Barnaby Unboxed!

In the newly reopened ‘Perfect Pets’, Barnaby, ‘half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo’, thinks he is the most perfect pet of all- and yet, he is the last one of his kind on the shelf. One day, whilst worrying he will never be chosen, a little girl picks him. Taking him home, the two become inseparable until, one Saturday morning, whilst watching television, an advert for the new ‘Rainbow Barnaby’ is shown and the little girl decides she wants one. When her father refuses to buy her the new pet, she seems to lose interest in her Barnaby. Her father now takes him for his walk and one rainy day, Barnaby slips unnoticed off his lead, planning to run away ‘just long enough for people to miss him’; however, when he is chased by a cat, he finds himself lost and alone. Time passes and, although he meets other lost and forgotten pets, he is determined to find his way home to the little girl. Supported by the squirrels in the park who show him their ways, Barnaby begins to forget his old life until he spots a little girl pinning ‘missing’ posters to the trees…

Once again, The Fan Brothers have produced a perfect picture book combining sensitive storytelling, moments of gentle humour and, in this case, a strong message about the responsibility and commitment involved when taking on the care of a pet. The book has so much potential for developing ideas and work in school as well as for being enjoyed at story time!

Children could have great fun inventing their own ‘perfect pets’ which might join Barnaby on the shelves, creating character profiles and developing personalities and names for their creatures. Barnaby is just adorable, with his big eyes, puffy tail and soft as candyfloss fur- and yet, he is full of worries as he compares himself to the other ‘new and exciting’ pets which are on offer. At this point of the story, role play or hot-seating could be used to explore Barnaby’s feelings, but also those of some of the other pets who might have similar concerns, and develop some good advice to offer anyone feeling downhearted or under-valued.

The story is also perfect for considering the long term dedication and commitment needed when adopting a pet. The collection of ‘lost or forgotten’ pets in the rubbish bin is a sad indictment of how fashions and fads can lead to the casual neglect and discarding of creatures in need of love and care.

However, eagle-eyed readers will notice that there are signs that the little girl has not forgotten him. Almost as soon as he was lost, posters can be seen seeking his return, filling the reader with hope that the two will be reunited once more.

As usual with any book from the Fan Brothers, the illustrations are fabulous- full of details to notice and things to wonder about. The spread showing the row of shops where Perfect Pets can be found is almost identical to that in ‘The Barnabus Project’- except that the barber’s shop has now closed down and the Coffee Palace is all boarded up and the last but one picture showing Barnabus and the little girl enjoying their walk in the park also appears in the first book and you can see Barnabus and his fellow escapees watching them as they walk by.

A gorgeous, heart-warming read- not to be missed!

Barnaby Unboxed!

The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-1836001607

You can read my review of ‘The Barnabus Project’ here, ‘It Fell From the Sky’ here, ‘Lizzy and the Cloud’ here and ‘Ocean Meets Sky’ here.

Blog Tour: Step into my Shoes

Today, I am very happy to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘Step into my Shoes’, a lovely picture book from Lantana, which paves the way for plenty of discussion!

Matou lives just outside Paris, in a place she dismissively thinks no one has ever heard of. Now that her mum works in the city, she walks to and from school by herself. One Friday, having been let out of school early, as she passes the mosque, she notices a ‘sea of shoes’, including a pair of sports shoes with orange laces. Tempted by the fact they are nearly her size, she tries them on. Having returned them, she notices the boy the shoes belong to and concludes the shoes are pristine because he doesn’t walk much. From then on, Matou regularly tries on different shoes outside the mosque and ponders on the lives of their owners until one day, excited by the fact that her mother will be home early, she goes straight home…only to become upset as her mother arrives late. But when she steps into her mother’s shoes, she gains a new perspective, learning what it truly means to ‘step into someone’s shoes’.

‘Step into my Shoes’ is a wonderful story for developing empathy and compassion. Matou literally explores the expression ‘to step into someone else’s shoes’, initially as a way of entertaining herself on her journey home, but ultimately coming to understand her mother better. Children will really relate to her curiosity as she wonders about all the footwear left outside the mosque as those inside pray. Initially, for those unfamiliar with this custom, there will be conversations about this practice, offering opportunities to deepen understanding - and make links with other religions and cultural traditions.

But the real joy of the story is that it encourages readers to pause and think - no matter how frustrated, angry or upset- that misunderstandings can be seen from another perspective and that ‘stepping into someone else’s shoes’ allows us to understand them better, an important lesson which many adults could do with learning! The illustrations add much to the text, making it easy for children to choose different pairs of shoes and explore their ideas about the owners and to pause and consider Matou’s feelings at different points in the story. Interest in France might also be piqued by various details in the pictures- the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, the pyramid of the Louvre, signs for the Metro, the shop names, Lautrec’s Black Cat, the Mona Lisa- there is much to explore!

A lovely book to spend time with!

Step into my Shoes

Alkisti Halikia, translated by Konstantine Matsoukas, illustrated by Fotini Tikkou

Lantana ISBN: 978-1915244956

The Girl at the Front of the Class

When a new girl arrives in his class, Adam is determined to make friends with her. However, she doesn’t want to play or make sandcastles in the sandpit- she just draws sad pictures. Seeking advice, Adam asks his teacher, his dad and his grandma and although they try to explain, their answers make him very sad and more determined than ever to be her friend. So he comes up with a plan…

Ever since the publication of ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’, books by Onjali Q Rauf have supported teachers, parents and other adults in developing thoughtful conversations with children about a number of topics, creating empathy and understanding in an often harsh, judgemental world. In ‘The Girl at the Front of the Class’, she works her magic once more with a poignant, beautiful story, perfect for starting discussions about the plight of refugees with younger children.

At the end of the story, the reader- and Adam- learns that the little girl’s name is Layla. The book is a celebration of the power of kindness and how simple acts of friendship can make a world of difference. But Adam is not pushy or overbearing in his actions- he shows patience and thought, creating a large picture depicting a happy ‘story’ for Layla, meeting her on her own terms rather than forcing her into a friendship.

The illustrations complement the text perfectly and the picture showing Layla and Adam swapping names is just lovely, as they are bathed in a warm glow whilst the lively bustle of the rest of the class is shown in a muted grey-blue, highlighting their newly-formed friendship.

At the end of the book, there are ‘Five Ideas to Help Refugee Children Feel Welcome’, each suggestion something which is easily achievable and the significance of each will be readily understood by even the youngest children. A wonderful addition to bookshelves, ‘The Girl at the Front of the Class’ is perfect for sharing.

The Girl at the Front of the Class

Onjali Q Rauf, illustrated by Pippa Curnick

Hodder ISBN: 978-1526364654

You can read my review of ‘The Letter with the Golden Stamp’ here.

Betty’s Birthday

It’s Betty’s sixth birthday and she is having a party! Readers are invited to join her in her preparations and for the celebrations!

Bright and colourful, ‘Betty’s Birthday’ is a fun-packed read which engages little ones on every page. Betty is introduced as living in a ‘big house’, a cross section of which is shown to allow readers to guess which is Betty’s room. There is plenty to discuss here with a helipad and a hot air balloon on the roof, a swimming pool room complete with sauna and a cinema and lots of other things to notice! Having located her room, she then needs to find her glasses amongst all the clutter and mess strewn across the floor before choosing an outfit for the party. At each step, the reader is encouraged to help her out or offer their opinion, encouraging little ones to use different skills as they explore both text and illustration.

The page showing Betty’s wardrobe is sure to inspire some readers to create a paper doll of Betty and trace her clothes, adding tabs before cutting out and colouring so that they can play at dressing her up or creating their own outfits to add to her collection!

Once her guests arrive, there are all manner of games to play and things to find as the party gets underway. Children can join in with the dance competition as they are asked what their ‘best moves’ are before it’s time for party bags and home and Betty is left to open her presents and go to bed! With so many ways to interact with the story, this is possibly not one for bedtime, but would be great fun to share with siblings or friends!

Betty’s Birthday

Celine Ka Wing Lau

Cicada Books ISBN: 978-1800660496

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

Everybody is so used to avoiding the bad-tempered troll which lives in the cave that they forget all about it. Everybody except for one boy who is determined to reach out and make friends. The boy collects his chalks and draws a flower, leaving one petal uncoloured. The following day, he returns and finds the petal coloured in- yet still the troll will not leave the cave. Day-by-day he returns, leaving his drawings incomplete for the troll to finish. At last, the troll leaves the cave and is revealed to be a boy who joins in with the other children.

Thoughtful and sensitive, ‘The Boy, the Chalk and the Troll’ is a real celebration of patience, kindness and hope. Isolated and struggling, the ‘troll’ is obviously struggling with difficult emotions, acting in a way which rebuffs friendship. However, the little boy’s persistent, non-threatening approach, using art and creativity to gain trust, gradually builds a relationship which is non-demanding and understanding. The story is perfect for developing empathy and encouraging acceptance, making it excellent for PSHE or an assembly as well as story time.

David Litchfield’s illustrations capture the heart and spirit of the story perfectly. Teachers - and family- may choose to use the book as a starting point for collaborative art work, perhaps developing a mural or a playground chalking project to encourage older and younger children to develop supportive relationships, perhaps encouraging them to explore and discuss their own emotions.

Gentle and reassuring, ‘The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk’ is a poignant, powerful tale.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

Anne Booth and David Litchfield

Templar ISBN: 978-1800783058

You can read my review of ‘A Shelter for Sadness’ here.

Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster

Nibbles the Book Monster has gone searching for snacks, but he can’t seem to find a book to satisfy his tastes. One’s too slimy, one’s too sweet and the next is too smelly- will he ever find a book which tastes just right?

‘Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster’ is the fifth adventure for everyone’s favourite mischievous monster. Like the other stories, there is so much for little children to enjoy as they follow Nibbles, peeking through die cut holes, lifting flaps and following trails of footprints, making this certain to become an ‘again, again!’ story.

This book about books is perfect for starting discussions about other stories and different types of books. In his search for a tasty snack, Nibbles eats his way through a recipe book, the story of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and a version of ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ which is certain to get readers giggling, but there are plenty of other books to explore in the pictures, offering many little jokes along the way. As Nibbles eats his way into the ‘Cats Pop-Up Book’, for example, he leaves them an escape hole, making a mouse in ‘Hansel and Gretel’ look very worried! Children could suggest other books which Nibbles might enjoy tasting and perhaps create their own pictures exploring his adventures. They might like to make mini books, complete with holes for a Nibbles finger puppet to pop through, allowing them to develop their own stories about this loveable monster.

Readers are sure to enjoy spotting little details in the illustrations, like the wanted poster for Nibbles in the library or all the things he has nibbled on his way across town! Like each of the previous books, ‘The Very Hungry Book Monster’ is sure to become a firm favourite, to be read again and again!

Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster

Emma Yarlett

ISBN: 978-1801046541

PUBLICATION DATE: September 5th 2024

You can read about how to make a Nibbles pencil topper here and see an idea for a Nibbles book balloon here.

Hank Goes Honk

Hank the goose spends a lot of his time being obnoxious. His selfish behaviour and unpleasant manners upset others and mean that Hank can get lonely. So, he decides to change his ways and learn how to be an im-PECK-able goose, but it’s not as easy as it seems!

Published just in time for back to school week, ‘Hank Goes Honk’ is absolutely perfect for school assemblies and class discussions with children of all ages as well as for sharing at home! The text uses the words ‘obnoxious’ and ‘considerate’, clearly explaining what they mean and giving examples of Hank’s behaviour to demonstrate whilst the illustrations clearly show the impact of his actions on those around him. There are so many moments where children will naturally want to pause to discuss Hank’s behaviour, offering the perfect opportunity to develop empathy with the other characters. The impulse for Hank to pop Bunny’s balloon is sure to resonate with many little ones and the story gently shows the affect this has, not only on Bunny, but also on Hank.

One of the best things about the story is that Hank does not instantly become a saint. He tries really hard, but somehow the big, red balloon is just too much for him. This results in his becoming very frustrated with himself, but the story makes it clear that this does not mean that he is irredeemable. This again is a really important point to discuss with children- a one off incident can happen to anyone- support and encouragement is what is needed, not condemnation and shaming!

The illustrations are wonderful with so much to notice and enjoy. I love the little caretaker mouse who spends most of the book scurrying round tidying up after Hank- I feel there is a whole book yet to be written about him! There are so many little details to enjoy which add plenty of humour to Hank’s tale and I’m sure many will want to meet his high five to congratulate him on his improved behaviour!

Full of gentle humour, ‘Hank Goes Honk’ is perfect for encouraging children to be kind and considerate to others.

Hank Goes Honk

Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801046527

Published 5th September 2024

You can read my review of ‘The Christmas Department Store’ by Maudie Powell-Tuck here and ‘No Sleep for Bear’ by Duncan Beedie here which also has links to reviews of some of his other books.

The Wild Outside

Tulip loves being outside, exploring nature and all its beauties. One day, she discovers a nature trail which names all of her favourite flowers, trees and plants. Returning home, Tulip finds a package on her doorstep, containing a wonderful nature guide, offering her more information about plants from around the world. After a rainy day, all the chalked labels and names of the nature trail have been washed away so Tulip tries to replace it, adding question marks where she is unsure about something. On her way home, she notices that someone has added the answers to these and, following a trail of muddy footprints, discovers her mystery helper is her Grandpa.

This glorious book celebrates both the wonders of nature and insatiable curiosity! One of the many joys of being around young children is their boundless interest and Tulip exudes an infectious delight in exploring the world around her.

Perfect for inspiring families to get outside during the summer holidays and learn more about nature, ‘The Wild Outside’ offers a wealth of information about trees and plants, presented in little snippets which are easy to understand and remember. The story could easily be used (at home or at school!) as the starting point for inspiring a nature trail around a garden, park or even along the route of a local walk. The ‘outside’ is not a confined area in the story and Tulip and her mum (it doesn’t specify that this is who it is) are shown exploring everywhere, encouraging children to observe nature wherever they find themselves.

At the end of the book, there are suggestions for activities like leaf and bark rubbing and flower pressing which might encourage children to create a nature book of their own like Tulip’s. A very clear warning is given at the very beginning of the book about never touching or picking flowers etc without an adult’s supervision and at the end, there is further guidance for looking after the environment whilst enjoying yourself!

The illustrations are delightful and eagle-eyed readers are sure to spot the clues as to the identity of Tulip’s mysterious guide to nature as the story progresses. The fact that her grandfather is sharing his knowledge and wisdom with her, inspiring and encouraging Tulip to follow her passion and discover more is a lovely way of valuing relationships between different generations whether family members as in this case or not.

Brilliant for supporting (and expanding!) the curriculum at both KS1 and 2 as well as for enjoying at home, ‘The Wild Outside’ is an inspiring, enjoyable read!

The Wild Outside

Rachel Ip, illustrated by Katie Hickey

Hachette ISBN: 978-1526365217

A Boy Called Book

When a baby boy is born, his mother decides to call him Book because his life is a story and he can write it however he wants. As time passes, he learns that he has many stories to tell – an adventure story, a funny story, a boring story. As time passes, he realises that life isn’t a book, but a library, full of stories of the past, present and future.

Some books just resonate with you, capturing how you feel, or how you would like to have expressed something, perfectly. ‘A Boy Called Book’ is a joyful celebration of the importance of stories, how they can comfort us, shape us and inspire us.

Not all stories are happy and when Book and his family are confronted by grief, it is a special, hand made book by a friend which brings him some comfort. The family photo album is another book which helps the family cope with their sadness. I love the way this story values all kinds of books and the many ways in which they colour our lives. The story could easily be used to develop children’s understanding of different genres, perhaps encouraging them to investigate a wider range of reading matter, but for me, one of its many strengths is that it helps to identify and validate the many emotions and moods we all have.

The illustrations are wonderful. They are at times humorous, at times poignant, but always bursting with detail, energy and warmth. I really want a patchwork reading chair like the one Book is sitting on at the very beginning of the book! Book’s best friend is shown as having vitiligo, something I can’t recall having seen before in a children’s book. The joy of their friendship is what is central to the story, yet this inclusion is perfect for sparking sensitive discussions about this condition.

‘A Boy Called Book’ ends in such a wonderfully positive way, looking to the future and all the blank pages/ chapters/ books yet to be written and added to Book’s library, making the story a brilliantly up-lifting read.

 A Boy Called Book

Vincent Ralph, illustrated by Aaron Cushley

Scholastic    ISBN: 978-0702324864

The Little Worried Caterpillar

All Little Green’s friends have changed from caterpillars into butterflies and are sure that it will soon be her turn. However, Little Green is not excited about this; in fact, she is very anxious. Other creatures try to help, but it is Rabbit who listens carefully, making Little Green feel seen and heard.

Told in rhyme, ‘The Little Worried Caterpillar’ is a lovely story for sharing. Little Green is anxious about changes ahead, in her case, turning into a butterfly. She likes things as they are and children are sure to relate to her feelings as she clings to what she knows, empathising with how she feels as perhaps they are facing change in the form of going to school, a new teacher… Various ways of helping her calm down are suggested, but it is Rabbit’s offer of a listening ear and a word of good advice which is just what Little Green needs to be able to face the challenges ahead. The story may well encourage children to share their concerns- and adults to listen!

The illustrations are simply delightful! There are many details to notice and a wealth of characters which children might enjoy creating their own stories about. The picture of Little Green curled up in a ball of worry perfectly captures her feelings of isolation and despair and is just beautiful! It is a wonderfully warm, reassuring story which is sure to become a firm favourite in nurseries, classrooms and homes!

The Little Worried Caterpillar

Christine Pym

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702330063

Published 1st August 2024

One Up

Green and Blue are best friends, nut they can’t help wondering who is the bestest? As they start to compare their shells, each becomes determined to outdo the other until, having reached the heights of absurdity, they decide they need an ice cream…

Fabulously funny, this tale of two tortoises is an absolute hoot! Although Green and Blue are friends, enmity builds between the two as they go to ridiculous lengths to eclipse one another. Each illustrations bursts with visual humour as they keep adding ‘improvements’ to their shells and there are so many little details to notice and enjoy- the teapot for one! Even when they decide to abandon their creations to make having gelato possible, they still find themselves noticing something which they think is better!

The story is a wonderful way of starting conversations with children about the dangers of comparing yourself to others. There is plenty to laugh at as they try to outdo one another and neither seems to actually enjoy their home as they spend all their time focusing on what they other has and what they do not, offering much to discuss. The lovely illustrations are sure to inspire children to create their own tortoise - or perhaps snail- characters with their shell creations!

One Up

Ben Sanders

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801047005

Published 1st August 2024