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.
NNFN2023: Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!
Day 8 of NNFN2023 and we’re back with the ‘Wonderful Water’ theme!
Bright, attractive and eye-catching, ‘Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!’ is sure to be a hit with readers young and old! Starting by defining what is meant by a shark, a carefully labelled diagram identifies the different body parts, offering information in easily-digested chunks.
Different types of sharks, their ‘superpowers’, feeding habits habitats and life cycle are all explored, offering plenty of fascinating facts, all very attractively presented and clearly explained. Myths about these incredible creatures are dispelled as the author seeks to deepen the readers understanding of their behaviour.
A glossary of ‘special shark words’ both supports and develops understanding of some of the technical vocabulary found in the book. Although the text is perfect for dipping in and out of as it offers plenty of eye-catching, tantalising facts to pause over, the book is sure to be absorbed from cover to cover by the shark-loving - and returned to repeatedly!
Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!
Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker
bsmall ISBN: 978-1913918729
NNFN2023: Boats! (and other things that float)
Perfect for introducing young readers to the world of boats, ‘Boats! (and other things that float) is an engaging and informative book. Each spread focuses on a different type of watercraft, fully illustrated and with plenty of details to spot on every page.
The range of boats - and other things that float- covered is impressive. Starting with a look at the different types of sails which are used, the parts of a boat are explained, using a carefully labelled diagram. Key words are given in bold, but used in a sentence which explains the meaning to the reader, perfect for supporting comprehension.
Information is presented in small sections, making it an accessible read, and appealing illustrations encourage the reader to look closely and notice details. From fishing boats to dragon boats, from submarines to pedalos, there is something here to interest everyone. The book ends with ten fun floating facts and a spread encouraging the reader to look for things to spot throughout the book.
Perfect for this year’s NNFN theme, Wonderful Water, ‘Boats! (and other things that float) is a book to be enjoyed time and time again!
Boats! (and other things that float)
Maria Brzozowska
Welbeck Publishing ISBN: 9781783128358
NNFN2023: Home
Day 6 of NNFN2023! Today’s review shows how information can be delivered through poetic text and stunning illustrations, offering a very different experience to a ‘traditional’ non-fiction book.
Each creature’s home is captured through beautiful illustrations and nestled amongst these is a poetic reflection on how and where it is created. Much factual information is contained in these words which could easily become the starting point for further research and investigation. ‘Mossy Miniature Home’, for example, describes the home of the hummingbird and the reader learns about the size, composition and location of the nest as well as the number and size of its eggs.
The book covers a wide range of creatures from the less well-known such as the European fan worm or the foam-nest tree frog to the more familiar like the harvest mouse and the Sumatran orangutan. How each these skilful creatures create, decorate and build their homes is incredible, but the book also underlines the common need for somewhere safe to call home.
Home
Isabelle Simler, translated by Vineet Lal
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN: 978-0711287099
NNFN2023: Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure
Day five of National Non-Fiction November 2023 and we’re cooking on gas!
There are cookery books for children - and then there is this cookery book! ‘Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure’ is a highly engaging, creative approach to cooking and baking which allows the reader to choose (or chews!) their own culinary adventure.
My son used to love the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ series when he was younger which called upon the reader to make decisions at key points of the story, giving him a sense of involvement. This cookery book works along similar lines, challenging the reader to take make choices which will alter the final dish! The book starts by introducing the ingredients used in the book, starting with flour. Having offered a bit of historical background, a fun fact or two and a little rhyme about each, the reader is then asked to either make a choice- hot or cold, sweet or savoury- or at a point where they have all the required ingredients, to head to a recipe.
There are sweet and savoury treats included here, each a vegetarian recipe. A short introduction offers a little background information- perhaps how to pronounce a name, a little about their origin and the ingredients, all building a young cook’s knowledge of the ingredients and recipes they are using and encouraging them to engage with food, have fun with cooking and enjoy the experience. There are tips and bonus recipes to discover along the way and at the end of each recipe are are page numbers for the reader to choose the final element of their recipe!
A comprehensive glossary, an index of recipes and a recipe index (covering the ingredients) make this a very user-friendly book as well as something exciting and different- a great gift to give- not just for a child, but for a whole family to explore and share. The use of fun, bright illustrations is another stroke of genius as the usual photographs of unattainable perfection in a cookery book can be really off-putting!
A really fun and engaging way of encouraging an interest in, knowledge and enjoyment of the food we eat, ‘Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure’ is a real winner!
Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure
Dr Sai Pathmanathan, illustrated by Lucia Vinti
Faber ISBN: 978-0571370641
You can read more from Dr Sai Pathmanathan in the piece she wrote as part of the NNFN2023 celebrations on the FCBG website.
NNFN2023: Let’s Play
The importance of play, both free and imaginative and guided, cannot be underestimated - and yet, it seems to be something on the decline. Developing teamwork, independence, resilience, empathy… there are so many reasons why it should be encouraged and this fabulous book is perfect for home or school.
The fact that these games are taken from across the world only adds to its appeal. Some may be familiar or a twist on those already known whilst others might be completely new. Each game is carefully explained with step-by-step instructions and illustrations. Some are for playing independently, others for playing with friends- all could be adapted with a little imagination! Extra challenges and suggestions are also included, extending the fun. Children can be encouraged to look at a map of the world to locate the country of origin for the game, making connections and realising how much people have in common!
This is a brilliant resource, not only for home, but also school. Encouraging dinner staff as well as anyone on playground duty to organise a few games is always a brilliant thing to do, making playtimes more enjoyable for the staff on duty as well as engaging children. There are activities here which could also be used during wet playtimes or indoor play. A spread at the end of the book encourages children to think about developing their own games.
A brilliant, inspiring book!
Let’s Play!
Nancy Dickmann, illustrated by Monica Andino
Words and Pictures ISBN: 978-0711283756
NNFN2023: Human 2.0
Day three of National Non-Fiction November 2023!
Celebrating the almost unbelievable achievements which have been made in medical engineering, ‘Human 2.0’ is a completely fascinating read! It presents this complex subject clearly, from the first prostheses to future possibilities.
The developments are interspersed with the real-life stories of people who have benefitted from them. Claire Lomas, foe example, became the first person to finish the London Marathon using a ReWalk exoskeleton whereas Keith Hayman became one of the first people in the UK to receive the Argus II Bionic Eye. Each development is clearly described with technical vocabulary carefully explained. But the book also poses the question, ‘How far are we willing to go?’, considering the risks and rewards as technology moves ever onwards.
Author, Patrick Kane, is a triple amputee and became the youngest person to be fitted with a bionic arm. He has created an absorbing text, enlightening readers on this topic and no doubt inspiring them to find out more and perhaps to investigate a career in this field. Attractive illustrations add to the book’s appeal, making it a book which will be returned to and re-read!
Human 2.0
Patrick Kane, illustrated by Samuel Rodriguez
Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800781689
NNFN2023: The Story of Conservation
Long ago, our planet was blanketed with dark forests, dripping rainforests, frozen deserts, mighty mountains, sun-baked grasslands and rich blue seas.
Called ‘The Story of Conservation’ for good reason, this lovely book explains the changes in the human relationship with the planet and how we have come to better understand our relationship with, and responsibility for, our planet. Clearly written in accessible language, the text does indeed tell a story, which, although not shying away from the damage being done, ends on a note of hope for the future.
Laid out chronologically with the date clearly shown on each spread, the story moves from prehistory to the present day. Throughout the book, respect is shown for Indigenous peoples, living in traditional ways and keeping in harmony with nature, who were often moved from their lands to make way for ‘development’ and even for conservation when Yellowstone became the world’s first national park. The book also celebrates actions being taken by local communities- those in Japan which blocked coal-fired power stations which polluted the environment, those in Ghana which keep snails, rabbits and bees instead of hunting, those in Oslo who have created bee-friendly gardens- offering inspiration for those reading the book.
The glossary at the end of the book is perfect for supporting children’s understanding of the terms used in the book. This attractive and informative book is perfect for reading multiple times, allowing children to take something more from it with each read.
The Story of Conservation: A First Book About Protecting Nature
Catherine Barr and Steve Williams, illustrated by Amy Husband
Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711278035
‘The Secret Life of Oceans’ written by Moira Butterfield is a perfect book for this year’s Wonderful Water theme and a guest post by Moira is being shared on the FCBG blog today. As well as celebrating life in ocean, it also shares some watery traditional tales from around the world.
The Secret Life of Oceans
Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Vivian Mineker
Happy Yak ISBN: 978-0711278691
You can read my review of ‘A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue’ by Catherine here and ‘The Secret Life of Bees by Moira here.
NNFN2023: Celebrate
Today kicks off a month of non-fiction reviews to celebrate National Non-Fiction November! There are so many fantastic information books on offer that it has been very hard to choose, but here we go!
‘Celebrate!’ from Nosy Crow and the British Museum is a joyful book, offering an introduction to 50 festivals from around the world. The bright red cover with its tumbling letters just invites readers to discover more about the little illustrations surrounding the title.
In terms of traditional non-fiction text features, the book has an excellent contents page which organises the festivals into those which are Worldwide and then by continent, a clear glossary and a comprehensive index, making it easy to locate information quickly and with ease. As it says in the introduction, ‘It would be impossible to include every festival from around the world…’, but the author, Laura Mucha, has done an amazing job of including a very diverse and fascinating range, making this book a joy from start to finish!
Each festival is given two pages, bursting with appealing illustrations which reflect the spirit of the occasion. The date and location of each festival is given and information is presented in accessible chunks, spread across the pages with an explanation of why and how celebrations take place. Touches of humour are added through speech bubbles and the pictures where appropriate.
I learned so much from reading this book and would happily add it to any school, class or home library, confident that children would both enjoy it and gain much from it. Beautifully presented, it is a real celebration of celebrations- a lovely gift!
Celebrate!
Laura Mucha, illustrated by Hannah Tolson
Nosy Crow and the British Museum ISBN: 978-1839940415
You can read my review of ‘Welcome to Our Table’ here- another book from Nosy Crow which celebrates the diversity of food around the world- and the 2023 Nature Month-by Month: A Children’s Almanac here, a lovely book which guides you through the year!
All That It Ever Meant
Devastated by the loss of their mother, Mati, her siblings and father set off on a trip back to their father’s home in Zimbabwe. Each member of the family is struggling with their bereavement. Their father struggles with his own grief as well as the responsibility of looking after his children; seventeen-year-old Chichi is getting in trouble at school and picking on her siblings; ten-year-old Tana seeking escape, drinking Heineken to help him sleep with Mati, the thinker and observer of the family, tries watches everything carefully. Whilst on the trip, Mati finds herself joined by Meticais, a rather grumpy, mysterious and fabulously dressed gender-neutral figure who only Mati can see and talk to. Reluctantly, Mati comes to realise that Meticais is guiding her to come to terms with what has happened, slowly finding her way towards acceptance.
‘All That It Ever Meant’ is a stunning novel about love and loss, family and belonging. The complexities of human nature, relationships and emotions are all sensitively explored in this beautifully written, cleverly constructed and gripping story.
It is never clear whether Meticais is a figment of Meti’s imagination, a spirit, a ghost or something else, but their presence and conversation allows Meti to explore the complexities of her mother’s feelings about trying to assimilate to her new life in England- something which she never came to terms with and which affected the family dynamic as well as her mother’s mental health. As the family shares the road trip, the close proximity of their travelling and accommodation as well as the landscape they find themselves in force them to face up to past events and start to look to the future and cope with their loss.
Deeply poignant, this is an intriguing and compelling novel with one of those endings which just…
It’s a must read- and re-read- and re-read.
All That It Ever Meant
Blessing Musariri
Zephyr ISBN: 978-1035002477
Man-Man and the Tree of Memories
I am delighted to have been invited to take part in the Blog Tour for ‘Man-Man and the Tree of Memories’ today. Yaba Badoe is an amazing author- ‘A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars’ is a book I will never forget!- so I was really looking forward to reading this one and I was not disappointed.
Emmanuel- known as Man-Man- is really excited. It’s Carnival time and he, with his sister, Pan and best friend, Kareem, will be dancing to the beat of his dad’s sound system. As his mother, Trilby, is ill, Man-Man will be taking her place, leading the procession. His nan, who has come to England to help care for Trilby, doesn’t approve of their dancing, but the day arrives and knowing his mother is watching, Man-Man pleads for his mother to be made well again. To his amazement, The Queen of Revels appears and whisks him, Pan and Kareem away to Africa and shows him the Tree of Memories where they witness the the pain of their ancestors and begin to understand how it is causing their mother’s suffering in the present. Does Man-Man have ‘the courage to shape the future by soothing the scars’ of his family’s past?
‘Man-Man and the Tree of Memories’ is a powerful and poignant story. It captures the joy and energy of Carnival, the exhilaration and freedom of dance whilst also tackling serious topics of slavery, inequality and the impact the past can have on the present.
Relationships play a key role in the story. Man-Man and Kareem have a close bond of friendship , each valuing the other for who they are. Pan is a prickly older sister, yet one who obviously cares for her brother. Man-Man enjoys a close, loving relationship with his parents which is beautifully captured. His love for his mother shines through, pushing him to dance harder and channel all his energy, and her love for her children is ultimately her salvation. The relationship with their grandmother, Fedora, is more complex. Strict, unyielding and opinionated, Fedora disapproves of Man-Man’s father whose heritage and beliefs are different to her own. And then there is the relationship with the past- how our heritage can shape our lives. The story offer so much to consider and discuss, encouraging empathy, reflection and developing awareness.
‘There’s always more to us than meets the eye, more than what we see or touch.’
The story is brilliantly illustrated. Joelle Avelino’s bright pictures perfectly capture the energy and life of Carnival so vividly described by Yaba Badoe’s text. As the story moves to the magical, the illustrations seem to convey this energy as well with silhouetted, less-distinct figures and swirling shapes, echoing the branches of the Tree of Memories. Children will love exploring and discussing these as much as the story itself!
Many layered, evocative and poignant, ‘Man-Man and the Tree of Memories’ is a wonderful read, offering much if used as a guided reading or class text. It is a unique story to be enjoyed again and again.
Man-Man and the Tree of Memories
Yaba Badoe, illustrated by Joelle Avelino
Zephyr ISBN: 978-1837930074
Many thanks to the team at Zephyr for asking me to take part. Find out what everyone else thinks by following the rest of the reviews in the tour!
You can read my review of ‘A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars’ here.
Blog Tour: How to Chat Chicken
With the help of this book, you can become like Dr Doolittle and talk with the animals-gossip gorilla, babble bee, gab gecko or chat chicken as the fancy takes you!
The lively introduction from author, Dr Nick Crumpton, sets the tone for the book perfectly, encouraging readers to listen to, and observe, their pets and other animals carefully so that they can communicate with them.
Six sections- Prattling with Primates, Noisy Neighbours, Murmuring Minibeasts, Commotion in the Ocean, Wild Words and Wild on the Wing- are bursting with descriptions of how creatures communicate. Cats use chirruping noises when they are excited, croaking gourami fish make frog-like sounds to attract a potential partner and adult crows use a cooing noise to calm their young. It’s a fascinating read and sure to have everyone attempting to chat to the animals around them- and sharing their new found knowledge with anyone who will listen! A wonderful range of creatures is covered with careful explanations, not shying away from the use of technical vocabulary such as stridulation and pheromones which is explained in the glossary. The book also considers how some animals communicate in other ways, such as by the use of smell- and even the use of dialects in some species.
The bright, cartoon-style illustrations are very appealing and easy to dip in and out of. An index makes it easy to locate specific animals, but it is very easy to find yourself reading this one from cover to cover! As National Non-Fiction November approaches (but also at any time of the year!), it is great to remember that there are all styles of information texts to appeal to all styles of readers of all ages. There is as much to engage the 70 year old as the 7 year old here! Any book which encourages children (or any reader!) to really understand their fellow creatures and develop a sense of empathy and understanding can only be a good one!
How to Chat Chicken
Dr Nick Crumpton, illustrated by Adrienne Barman
What On Earth Books ISBN: 978-1804660423
Make sure you take a look at the rest of the stops on the Blog Tour! Many thanks to What on Earth for inviting me to be part it!
Drawn to Change the World
It is more important than ever to use our voices and our strengths and join as communities to make change, even when those in power don’t want us to do so.
In her introduction to this fascinating book, Emma Reynolds explains why she decided to write this book, as a celebration of those who are striving for change and as inspiration for others who might follow their example. Her words set the scene perfectly for the stories of the sixteen youth activists from around the world included in the book, each beautifully illustrated by sixteen different artists.
An introduction offers an overview of the climate change crisis. I learned a great deal from this section, part of which is written by Matthew Shribman, cofounder of AimHi Earth. Key factors, like carbon sinks are carefully explained and the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable highlighted.
Each graphic story is introduced by a map showing where in the world the subject lives, who the story is about and who illustrated it. The stories are powerfully told, vividly sharing the individual’s concerns and the actions that they took to change things for the better for their community. For example, Autumn Peltier’s fight for clean water for her people is truly inspiring- and the treatment of First Nation communities shocking. The ‘What are they doing now’ section at the end of each section allows the reader to discover more about each individual, including where to find them on social media. The graphic format makes each story very accessible and the different illustrative styles offers pleasing variety.
This is such an impressive, inspiring collection of individuals, who are so courageous and dedicated to their beliefs, that it makes a very enjoyable as well as informative read. Highly recommended!
Drawn to Change the World
Emma Reynolds
HarperAlley ISBN: 978-0063084216
Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy
It’s a snowy day on Animal Island and Max and Chaffy have lots to do. A new visitor, Jacob arrives on the island in search of one of the rarest chaffies in the world to impress the Chaffy Finding Club- the Ice Chaffy! Max and Chaffy are keen to help- and so can readers!
Bright, cheerful and bursting with fun, the ‘Max and Chaffy’ books are perfect for younger children. Instantly appealing, short sections of text- mainly in speech bubbles- are easily accessible and written in a clear font, making the words easier to decode and allowing early readers to tackle the stories independently.
The illustrations are full of humour and encourage readers to interact fully with the story as they are regularly invited to help find Chaffy and to help Deputy Constable Chaffy round up the islands birds so they don’t get too chilly in the snow. Children are sure to enjoy drawing Chaffy for themselves, perhaps creating their own varieties!
Hugely appealing, this is the third book in this brilliant series! I hope there are many more to come!
Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy
Jamie Smart
David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452632
Published 2nd November!
You can read my review of Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island! here.
The Bee Who Loved Words
Persephone is a little bee who loves big words. As she collects them and writes them everywhere, everyone thinks she is very clever- except Queen Hermione who thinks she should spend more time hunting for flowers. But when words are needed, it’s Persephone who comes to the rescue!
Words are the most amazing things- and this book is brimming with word play, celebrating the importance of language and the power it has to make a difference! ‘The Bee Who Loved Words’ combines this joy with the importance of protecting bees and flowers, offering much to discuss and discover.
The book is a joy to read aloud, combining wonderfully rich vocabulary with bouncy, rhyming text. Children are sure to want to build their own collection of words as they encounter them just as Persephone does, finding pleasure in their sound, their meaning and the fun of using a wide and varied vocabulary! It is a gift to teachers wishing to encourage words collecting and inspire children to use them!
The illustrations are as joyful as the text! Persephone’s face expresses a wealth of emotions through the story and there are so many details to notice and enjoy in each spread. There is a delightful book and one which is sure to be enjoyed again and again!
The Bee Who Loved Words
Helen Docherty, illustrated by Erica Salcedo
Puffin ISBN: 978-0241450680
Poetry Prompts: All Sorts of Ways to Start a Poem
I have always loved poetry and ever since I started teaching, I have tried to share this love with both children and colleagues, sneaking poems into every possible topic and encouraging children to create their own. ‘Does it have to rhyme?’ and ‘What rhymes with secret?’ by Sandy Brownjohn were two of my favourite books during teacher training and ones which I have frequently consulted over the years. ‘Poetry Prompts’ gathers together an amazing range of starting points - ways into poetry writing - offering amazing support for teachers seeking to inspire as well as for those wishing to write at home. It’s a real must have!
There are 41 prompts included in this brilliant book to support children in writing their own poems, but also to understanding poetic terms and devices which they might wish to use. The first suggestion is for making a mini-notebook for recording ideas and poems. Each activity offers plenty of examples and encouragement, sure to inspire readers of any age to emulate, experiment with and develop and the ‘Poetry Power-Up’ which accompanies each, extends the idea, offering a challenge. From tongue twisters to renga, from triolets to haiku, there are ideas for all occasions and all styles!
The whole book bursts with the message that poetry is about having fun with words and to encourage everyone to ‘discover the poet within’. Colourful, fun illustrations from four illustrators make the book appealing as well as making poetry writing accessible and enjoyable for all. Absolutely invaluable!
Poetry Prompts
All Sorts of Ways to Start a Poem from Joseph Coelho
Illustrated by Georgie Birkett, Grasya Oliyko, Amanda Quartey and Viola Wang
Wide Eyed ISBN: 978-0711285118
History Factopia!
The Factopia! series is excellent fun, connecting a whole host of facts in fantastic- and often unexpected- ways! By following ‘ye olde trail of 400 facts’, readers will discover so many things about the history of the world.
There are so many ways to enjoy the book, making it incredibly accessible and readable. Some will be tempted to read it from cover to cover, fascinated by the bright illustrations and snippets of information. Others will follow the trails laid from one page to another, unearthing the link between a louchaun and Fasil Ghebbi or a cat-sith and the oldest known ghost story.
Light-hearted in tone, these books are perfect for sharing and children are sure to enjoy fact swapping as they discover the weird and wonderful, trivial and tantalising, gross and gripping facts about history they never knew they needed to know!
History Factopia!
Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith
Britannica ISBN: 978-1804660409
You can read my review of Animal Factopia! here and Gross Factopia! here
The Taming of the Cat
Brie is an unusual mouse. Unlike the other mice in the cheese shop colony, he prefers breadcrumbs and grain to cheese and has a head full of stories. These things do not endear him to the other mice and he finds himself lonely- and cold. Seeking warmth, Brie finds himself caught in the paws of the fearsome, Gorgonzola, the cheese shop cat. In this life-or-death situation, Brie decides to distract her by telling her stories inspired by the labels on the different cheeses. Caught between the animosity of his mouse community and the threat of death by cat, he must weave a tale which will change his life.
In the tradition of Scheherazade, the tales told by Brie are framed by his own life story, making this a wonderfully rich and entertaining book with plenty to recommend it. The nature of cats and their predator/ prey relationship with mice is not shied away from, but this is an important part of the story, building a clear picture of Gorgonzola’s personality and increasing the sense of tension and the feeling of peril for Brie’s situation.
Brie is a wonderful character. Different from the other, he is victimised by the other mice for being different, for having his own interests. Although his relationship with Gorgonzola begins through necessity as Brie wishes to survive, it develops into a true friendship, something which is lacking in his fellows, offering plenty to discuss. In Gorgonzola, Helen Cooper has captured a real essence of cat which is a joy to read!
The story which Brie tells is shaped and developed in response to Gorgonzola’s interests and whims as much as it is inspired by the pictures and names on the cheese labels. It is a magical tale and one which is sure to inspire children to create stories of their own- perhaps as a collaborative activity, sparked by things around them.
Lavishly illustrated, the book is full of pictures to linger over and enjoy, the perfect complement to the story.
The Taming of the Cat Helen Cooper
Faber ISBN: 978-0571376018
Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.
You can read my review of The Hippo at the End of the Hall here.
A World Full of Winter Stories
In the latest book in this wonderful series, Angela McAllister introduces her readers to a brilliant collection of stories, perfect for sharing on winter evenings. Gathered into six sections- Birds and Beasts, Tricks and Troubles, Ice and Snow, Quests and Journeys, Spirits and Magic and Christmas- there are fifty tales here from countries and cultures across the world.
Retold with great thought and care, each story is the perfect length for a bedtime story, offering plenty to enjoy and discuss. Each is accompanied by lovely illustrations which capture the frost and chill of the cold weather contrasting with the warmth and safety of indoors. There are so many wonderful tales here- ‘Salt on a Magpie’s Tale’, ‘The Silver Flute’, ‘The Ice Man’ and ‘The Spider and the Christmas Tree’. Some of the stories contain familiar characters- Anansi, Thor and Loki- whilst some seek to explain how or why things are as they are. There really is something to appeal to everyone in this collection!
The anthology also makes an invaluable addition to any teacher’s bookshelf. The stories are perfect for guided reading sessions, engaging and achievable with plenty to talk about and investigate. The stories are also wonderful for enjoying at the end of the day- and sure to encourage children to share traditional tales they have enjoyed at home.
I can’t recommend this series highly enough!
A World Full of Winter Stories:
50 Folk Tales and Legends from Around the World
Angela McAllister, illustrated by Olga Baumert
Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711277908
You can read my review of ‘A World Full of Nature Stories’ here and ‘Once Upon a Hillside’ here.
Call the Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue
On the island of Egg, Tiny is training to be a rescue puffin with his friend, Muffin. But Tiny is really worried as he feels that he is not good enough to be part of the team. With the support of the other puffins, Tiny finds he can rise to any challenge.
This is the second in this lovely series which is perfect for younger readers. Taller than the other puffins with long legs and wings, Tiny is a sweet natured puffin who is keen to do his best and help others, but things always seem to go wrong for him. Children are sure to empathise with Tiny as he gets lost, makes mistakes and is slower than the other puffins- and sure to celebrate with him as he gets the better of the wild cat!
This book- like the first- emphasises the importance of working as part of a team and supporting each other. A little extra help from Flight Officer Faroe makes all the difference to Tiny, helping him gain confidence. There are facts about puffins at the end of the book to encourage children to discover more about these fascinating creatures.
Full of gorgeous illustrations which add much to the story, ‘Tiny’s Brave Rescue’ is a delightful book and the next in the series, ‘Muffin and the Shipwreck’ is coming out next year!
Call the Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue
Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad
Welbeck ISBN: 978-1801300599
You can read more about ‘Call the Puffins!’ here.
Legends of Norse Mythology
‘Legends of Norse Mythology’ is a fully illustrated guide to some of the legendary characters and stories of Norse folklore.
Starting with the story of the ‘Nine Worlds’ of the Norse cosmos, the book then offers a gallery of the Gods. Each deity is given two pages, one presenting an evocative illustration and the other, a short biography including their godly powers and where they lived. Many of these are familiar names- Thor, Loki, Baldur- but others are possibly less well-known such as Mimir, Gullveig, Bragi and Idun.
The book then explains the story of poetry and its importance to the Norse people before moving on to some of the giants, monsters and mythical beings of their world. Perfect for supporting any topic on the Vikings or for reading for pleasure, it may also encourage children to explore comparisons between mythologies and faiths. The Norns of the Norse could be compared to the Moirai of Greek mythology, the role of Hel with that of Hades/ Pluto.
The story of Thor’s Hammer and that of Ragnarok are also included, retold in an accessible (bearing in mind how blood-thirsty these tales can be!) manner, making the book a very enjoyable introduction to the world of Norse mythology.
Legends of Norse Mythology: Enter a World of Gods, Giants, Monsters and Heroes
Tom Birkett, illustrated by Isabella Mazzanti
Wide Eyed ISBN: 978-0711260771
Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.