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

Let Me Tell You a Joke

What’s the worst present you could give to a hedgehog?

A beach ball!

Ask any teacher and they will be able to tell you some of the many jokes they have been told over the years! Children love jokes - the cornier the better- and ‘Let Me Tell You a Joke’ is sure to be a winner!

Bursting with fifty jokes, the book offers a treasure trove of jokes in different forms, including good news/ bad news, why did the..?, what’s..? Not only will children learn the jokes and try them out on friends, they are sure to be inspired to try and create their own using these models. A QR code is included which can be scanned to access a free audio version of the book which also offers advice from the author on how to deliver the perfect joke!

Colourful, whimsical illustrations add greatly to the appeal of the book which is beautifully presented (I love the candy stripe hard cover under the jacket!). The pictures add a layer of visual humour to the jokes, perhaps supporting younger children in their understanding as well as being a joy in their own right!

Engaging and entertaining, ‘Let Me Tell You a Joke’ will be a firm favourite- and a great addition to bookshelves!

Let Me Tell You a Joke: A First Joke Book with Funny Pictures

Sean Hegarty, illustrated by Jim Field

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839949234

Published 26th September 2024

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.

Flame Chasers

Every year, Ember yearns to fly with the golden flamebirds who pause in their flight at Bright Beacon every year before heading on to their home. Those known as ‘flame chasers’ wait in the harbour, ready to follow the birds in the hope of finding one of their wish-giving tail feathers. But when her Pa goes missing, having left on the hunt without her, Ember is determined to be part of the following year’s chase and gain a feather to wish him back to her. However, finding a lost flamebird which becomes a tiny cinderling in desperate need of returning to the flamebirds’ home quickly to survive, Ember’s quest takes on a new urgency…

What a wonderful book! ‘Flame Chasers’ is a completely captivating story with wonderful characters and such a satisfying conclusion to this tale which yet offers the possibility of more adventures to come in this world!

Having thoroughly enjoyed the story, my ‘teacher brain’ went into overdrive. It would make a brilliant class story for a Year 5 or 6 class, offering plenty of dramatic bits to pause reading at, sure to cause cries of protest and requests for ‘just another chapter!’ But this is also a book which would make an excellent class text, supporting and developing English work.

Careful language choices and rich descriptions build a vivid sense of this world and its settings, offering great models for encouraging children to develop their own ideas and create their own locations, perhaps building maps to help them navigate. Ember is such a wonderful character, loving and loyal, full of empathy for others and with a strong moral code which supports the choices she makes. Stanley, who she meets whilst setting out on her quest, is led by his desire for his heart’s desire which clouds his judgement early on in the story, but he, too, has a good heart and tries to put things right. I also love the fact that the adults were not just neatly disposed of in this story. Stanley’s mum, Aggie, plays a key role in their adventure without overshadowing them or leading the action and is shown to be just as fallible as they are.

The story also lends itself to discussions about hunting wildlife and the ethics (or lack of them) of those involved. Some only chase the birds in the hope of finding a fallen feather whilst others have more sinister intentions, ready to exploit and harm these gorgeous creatures in their pursuit of wishes. This could easily be linked to work on explorers and naturalists who collected specimens and the methods which they employed versus the conservation work carried out today. The subject of ‘what would you wish for’ would also be an interesting topic to discuss!

‘Flame Chasers’ is an utterly absorbing read. Loved it!

Flame Chasers

Julie Pike

Firefly ISBN: 978-1915444554

A Riddle for a King

Philo (rhymes with high-low) has always longed for adventure, but when he follows a strange creature called Mr Spronkel through the oak door of the grandfather clock, he finds himself in a very strange place indeed. To find his way home, he must somehow pass through the Penguin Gate to the Flying Castle to ask the King for help, somehow avoiding drop-bears, answering the Bridge-Riddler’s puzzle and not being turned into a teapot by the Midnight Witch along the way!

Completely surreal and utterly entertaining, ‘A Riddle for a King’ is a quirky adventure, full of friendship and fun. As I read it, the crazy characters, weird and wonderful places and constant riddling reminded me of Alice’s Adventures, yet this is a tale all of its own!

It’s also very hard to review! It is a quite delightfully bonkers adventure which is full of humour and riddles, keeping the reader entertained to the very end! Reading the author’s ‘Afterthought’ offers plenty to think about and plenty to investigate should interest have been piqued, but the plot tumbles along at a pleasing pace so many may just enjoy it in the moment. After all, what’s not to love about chapter titles like ‘wronger than a conga’?!

Often bemused by his new surroundings, Philo’s friendship with Verity, a girl he meets on his quest to get back home, helps him to find confidence and start to see things differently. Her strong sense of right and wrong, her loyalty and quick wits are essential to his success, but this is a very real friendship with some misunderstandings and bickerings along the way which mean nothing when the chips are down and they need each other!

Perfect for those children who are looking for something a little different, ‘A Riddle for a King’ is great fun!

A Riddle for a King

Mark Forsyth, illustrated by Matthew Land

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788453165

Blog Tour: Aliya Aboard the Time Train

Welcome to the third stop on the time travelling Silver Express on an exhilarating journey through Egyptian history and culture with Laila Rifaat, author of the Aliya series.

Letter 3: Read like a Ptolemaian (The Ptolemaic era, Ancient Alexandria)

Dear Geddo,

By now you might have received a chronogram with the news about Professor Fayruz. Poor old sphinx…It was so horrible seeing him lying there stiff and cold. We found him just as we were heading back to the train after our excursion to the Old Kingdom. Some travellers are saying that he was murdered! The whole matter is so disturbing, but please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine and anyway, there’s no way of turning the train around now that we’re in the time tunnel.

In line with our present stop in the Ptolemaic era, the dining coach has been redecorated to fit the style, with the genie waiters, musicians, and coach attendants all wearing draped tunics with colourful sashes, leather sandals and headbands made of gold and leather. In an attempt to brighten the mood, the guests were given Ptolemaic headdresses to wear. Victoria got a ‘Crown of Isis,’ which had a sun-disk between a pair of cow-horns. I could tell she wasn’t sure whether to be proud or embarrassed to wear it. Aion and I got lotus-crowns which were really pretty. Soliman told us that the lotus flower which was sacred in ancient Egypt. Charlotte, our chaperone, got a headdress with cobras which I thought suited her well. She’s always hissing at us.

I hadn’t expected Ptolemaic fashion and food to be so like the one we had from Ancient Egypt. Soliman explained that this was because the Ptolemies, who came from Greece, took on a lot of the Egyptians’ way of life when they drove out the Persians and settled in Egypt. They seemed a bit divided about Egypt though, because while they liked to present themselves like Egyptian pharaohs, they refused to speak anything but Greek and only put their own people in positions of power. Soliman said they never really assimilated to Egyptian culture. Still, they liked to style themselves as Pharaohs.  Maybe they liked the outfits, or was it to win the Egyptians’ favour by adopting their culture? I’m not sure.

After dessert we headed for the outfitting coach to get dressed for our visit to the Ptolemaic era. I got to wear a purple-striped tunic, and a cloak with a hood. It was really comfortable, and quite stylish too. Arsione, who is from that time, helped dress mine and the other girls’ hair with gold bands and headdresses.

The first portal took us to a spot on a hill, overlooking the ancient town of Alexandria. It felt so strange standing there, looking out over the city I know so well from my own time. But this was sometime around 330 BCE! So, no traffic jams or hotels lining the coastline. It did look impressive though, with a great harbour, countless temples, and a massive lighthouse.

Soliman told us that the city was founded and named by Alexander the Great who drove the Persians out of Egypt in 332 BCE. Ptolomy, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, was one of his generals who took over when Alexander died. He’s went on to make Alexandria an important port and an intellectual hot spot. The Ptolomies founded the Library of Alexandria and built a famous lighthouse, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and one of the highest buildings of the ancient world. Only the pyramids of Giza are higher.

Next, we headed to the library, to a complex known as the Mouseion which housed a research institute, an astronomical observatory, gardens, and even a zoo. While passing through we ran into scholars, scientists, and philosophers from all over the world that had come to Alexandria to study, experiment, and debate the hot topics of the day.

The Ptolomies who were the patrons of the library were really crazy about books, even more than you. They would go to great lengths to get hold of them, or the scrolls on which they were written, and would collect everything from cookbooks to maps to philosophical treaties. They would even send special agents to steal or barter for manuscripts. Once a Ptolemy ruler tricked some famous philosophers, saying he would ‘borrow’ their original texts to copy them for his library. He ended up sending them the copies and keeping the originals. I can’t imagine going that crazy over some old scrolls of philosophy to the point that you want to steal them!

The library was really cool though, I’ve got to admit. I visited last year during the assessments, remember? It would have been a fond memory, but now it’s tainted by the fact that the most evil magician in the travel world was there with me.

Anyway, before heading back to the train we got to see some of Alexandria’s wide, straight roads and massive grand temples, palaces, and monuments that mixed Greek and Egyptian styles. Soliman told us that the city often came alive with festivals, parades, and celebrations honouring the gods and goddesses of both cultures. So, the Ptolomies were party animals as well as intellectuals.

I got to go now. Charlotte’s making us take baths to wash off ‘dangerous ancient germs.’ I’ll write again as soon as I get a chance. Please don’t worry.

Your granddaughter,

Aliya

Useful links

• Ptolemaian fashion: https://rawi-publishing.com/articles/ptolemaic_fashion

• History of the Ptolemaic era: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemaic_Dynasty/

• Library of Alexandria: https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Alexandria/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Library-of-Alexandria

About Laila Rifaat

Laila moved to Cairo, Egypt, in her twenties to explore her father’s native country. She fell in love with the country and has lived in Cairo for over 30 years now. It remains a main source of inspiration for her stories. She has an MA in English and Comparative Literature and has worked as an ESL and IGCSE teacher. Nowadays she’s a full-time writer and stay-at-home mum to her four kids. Find out more at www.lailarifaat.com

Aliya Aboard the Time Train

The spectacular sequel to Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy Aliya to the Infinite City. 

When sinister magic threatens Aliya’s world once more, she is sent away on a school trip for her own safety aboard the time-travelling Silver Express. But what is supposed to be an educational journey through Egyptian history becomes a deadly race to save it from evil time-twister and master of disguise, Dorian Darke. Find out more at

https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/schools/laila-rifaat/

My review will follow soon…

The Seamaiden’s Odyssey

When a strange creature is rescued from the sea and brought to the marine sanctuary where Sasha works, she finds herself fascinated by the beautiful sea-girl, who is kept for scientific research and exhibited to a curious public. As Sasha spends time with ‘Marissa’ as she names her, the sea-girl eventually offers to tell her story in exchange for a promise.

I loved this story so much that I almost don’t know where to begin! Any book by Berlie Doherty is a real treat and ‘The Seamaiden’s Odyssey’ combines her magical storytelling with stunning illustrations from Tamsin Rosewell.

It is a beautifully told tale of love, longing, pride and grief, which captures the imagination and plunges the reader into the world of watery folklore and legend. The story which ‘Marissa’ shares with Sasha follows the tale of Merryn, who defies her father in a bid to find her own way rather than follow the path he has set for her. To tell too much of her adventures here would spoil the plot for others, but there is much to enjoy, much to reflect on, echoing like the seamaiden’s song long after the story has ended. The writing is evocative of traditional tales, mixing the familiar with the surprising and new, offering a deeply satisfying and poignant story.

Set against stunning blue backgrounds, silhouette work is used in the illustrations. Reminiscent of the work of Jan Pieńkowski, which I love, these add much to the magical appeal of the story, allowing the reader to give the characters face and form from their own imagination. Each is a work of art to be lingered over and enjoyed.

It is such a beautiful book, one to be gifted and treasured.

The Seamaiden’s Odyssey

Berlie Doherty, illustrated by Tamsin Rosewell

Uclan     ISBN: 978-1916747197

Raz Beri

Billy Turpin has cerebral palsy and is finding life at secondary school challenging. Dealing with bullies, thoughtless teachers and an over-helpful helper, he just wishes everyone would stop treating him differently. Mia, also a wheelchair user, has recently started his school and constantly challenges him to stand up for himself. When it is announced that Mia’s uncle is a famous footballer and is going to visit the school, Billy is thrilled and hopes that this might be his chance to prove he is just like everyone else. However, when the footballers act disgracefully, Billy realises he needs to take matters into his own hands.

‘Raz Beri’ is not a comfortable read, but it is completely absorbing and packs a very powerful punch. Told from Billy’s perspective, the story exposes the thoughtlessness, casual cruelty and hideous bullying which make up Billy’s daily experiences, creating real empathy. There is nothing self-pitying about his narrative, even in the face of some incredibly cruel name calling which he calmly explains whilst making it clear how hurtful this is. His relationship with Mia adds a new perspective as she is fiercely independent. Whereas Billy is happy to let Mrs Welbeck, the helper who has transitioned with him from primary school, continue to help him with things he is now able to do for himself because he doesn’t want to hurt her feelings, Mia insists that he should be more independent and challenge people when they patronise or hurt him. She is an amazing character!

The book also challenges the education system in its meaningful provision for children with additional needs where purposeful planning in lessons like PE would have positive outcomes rather than just occupying students during a lesson. Mr Marsh very much represents the stereotypical games teacher whose lessons are torture for anyone not a keen athlete and who I had very much hoped we had consigned to the last century. There is much food for thought for teachers here too.

In places, ‘Raz Beri’ is a painful, challenging read, yet it is ultimately up-lifting, powerful and poignant. A must read for everyone.

 Raz Beri

Matt Stephens

Firefly     ISBN: 978-1915444615

Published 29th August 2024

Eurek-her! Stories of Inspirational Women in STEM

‘Eurek-her!’ is a truly inspiring book. Featuring the stories and achievements of twenty amazing women, it is an engrossing read which also offers some hands-on experiments to further engage and inspire readers.

The contents page also acts as a time line, setting these women into chronological order. Their country of origin and life dates are also given along with a small drawing of each. At the end of the book, a comprehensive glossary supports understanding of terms used throughout the text and the final page gives a list of periodic elements.

The book contains a fascinating and varied range of women whose achievements, discoveries and inventions are still valued today. For example, Tapputi Belatekallim is often called the ‘world’s first chemist’ as she used distillation to create her perfumes whilst Omowunmi Sadik invented biosensors to help with a variety of issues. A great deal of information is presented in manageable chunks, attractively displayed and supported by illustrations and diagrams.

The final section of the book contains twelve activities, each related to one of the stories in the book, and designed to encourage readers to understand, investigate and experiment for themselves. From designing and making a perfume to building a recycled toy house, there is something to inspire everyone. This is very much a book to be enjoyed by everyone and will make an excellent addition to bookshelves and libraries everywhere!

Eurek-her! Stories of Inspirational Women in STEM

Frances Durkin, illustrated by Nur Ventura

bsmall ISBN: 978-1913918941

Publishing 2nd September 2024

Let Sleeping Gods Lie

‘Let Sleeping Gods Lie’ is the second story about Trixie dos Santos. When her grandma's magical cauldron goes missing, Trixie is thrust into the underworld and has to call on her old - but very hard to control- friends for help!

Like the first book, this is an excellent adventure, full of humour and heart, offering a fascinating introduction to myths from cultures across the world. These stories are perfect for broadening children’s knowledge of the amazing characters from mythology beyond those so often met in school and I am delighted that today, author Thiago de Moraes, joins me on the Bookshelf to share his thoughts about the myths all around us.

Myths All Around Us

There’s no magic in our world, right?

Proper magic. Card tricks and disappearing tigers with mirrors don’t count. By proper magic I mean chimaeras breathing fire, people being turned into pigs, talking foxes, that kind of thing. And that just doesn’t exist in real life.

Well, I think that’s wrong or, at least, not exactly right. That’s why I wrote Old Gods, New Tricks and its sequel Let Sleeping Gods Lie. In both books, a young girl called Trixie dos Santos goes on adventures with a band of unruly trickster gods: Exú, Loki, Monkey King and many others. She lives in a world just like ours, but she encounters magic and legend everywhere she goes.

Growing up, I was obsessed with myths and legends from all over the world. I read book after book on the subject from my local library, and believed that the gods and creatures I was learning about were all around us. I’m much older now, and sadly I haven’t met a selkie or a griffin yet (I’d probably not be around to write this if that last one had happened) but I still see myth and magic everywhere I go.

Over the past twenty years or so, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to travel to ancient, sacred places: Chichén Itza, the Great Pyramid, Stonehenge, Delos and many others, all heavy with the presence of thousands of years of belief and ritual. These are extraordinary places, but it’s in the small things, those closer to home, that I feel the grip of legend is closer to us.

Magic is there. In all the little beliefs and superstitions some of us still hold: knocking on wood, placing horseshoes over the door, and saucers of cream in the kitchen. The memories of old gods who haven’t left us: green men and oak leaves on churches; our days named after the Sun, Moon, Woden and Saturn.

All those tiny moments, images and actions are echoes of beliefs that have been part of humanity’s lives for thousands of years. We’re in an age of technology and knowledge, and that’s all for the better, but there’s still a little bit of space in all of us for the unknown, the magical, the absurd.

That’s the world I wanted to create in Let Sleeping Gods Lie. A world where all the magic (and a lot of the mayhem) left the places where it had been sleeping and spilled into our daily lives.

What would the school run be like with gnomes and sphinxes about? And travelling by plane in a sky full of dragons and harpies? What about coming across trolls under bridges and kumiho in the woods?  Quite scary, is probably the answer, but also full of fun and adventure.

I hope readers join me on a journey through this world of myth and magic, and that it helps them find a little bit of both in theirs.

Many thanks to Thiago for joining me today and to Fraser from David Fickling for arranging it.

‘Let Sleeping Gods Lie’ is a brilliant read with additional information about some of the gods and goddesses met in the story at the end- the perfect starting point for further investigation!

Let Sleeping Gods Lie

Thiago de Moraes

David Fickling ISBN: 978-1788453202

You can read my review of ‘Old Gods New Tricks’ here.

Anne of Green Gables

When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert plan to adopt a boy to help them out on their farm, they are shocked to discover they have been sent a little re-headed girl instead. Not entirely sure what to do with her, they soon warm to Anne (with an ‘e’) Shirley, whose constant chatter, vivid imagination and quick temper make life constantly entertaining.

Anne Shirley is a heroine like no other and her escapades and misadventures have been entertaining readers for over a hundred years. Like many others, I have loved the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ books since first reading them as a child and it is a delight to see this gorgeous new edition which will enchant a new generation by introducing them to her stories.

Katherine Woodfine has done a brilliant job of capturing the essence of Anne’s character. The extravagance of her speech, her joy in life and her tendency to get into scrapes are all here, but the language has been simplified and modernised, clarifying the story for modern readers. Anne’s insistence that she and Diana are ‘bosom’ friends (something which confused me no end as a child!), for example, is not mentioned, nor are there the constant references to religion which permeate the original.

The illustrations are delightful, capturing scene after scene from the story, full of energy, colour and detail. The size of the book makes it perfect both for sharing and for exploring each picture at leisure. Peeling back the dust jacket offers yet more delight as the hardback cover is beautiful, bordered with ‘cross stitch’ designs matching those of the jacket and presenting illustrations from within the book in gold on the pink background.

Absolutely charming, both in illustrations and re-telling, this edition of ‘Anne of Green Gables’ captures the heart and joy of the original, making it a satisfying read in itself as well as a stepping stone to the original books.

Anne of Green Gables

L M Montgomery, retold by Katherine Woodfine, illustrated by Isabelle Follath

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839943317

Coming on the 1st September 2024

How to Survive a Horror Movie

Having enrolled at a girls’ boarding school on a remote island in an attempt to escape her past, Charley is determined to keep a low profile. She and her room mate, Olive, share a passion for horror films and so know all the rules of how to survive in these situations. Or they think they do… When someone starts killing her classmates, Charley finds herself at the heart of her own horror movie where she not only keeps finding dead bodies, but is also haunted by the ghosts of those who have been murdered. Charley not only needs to follow all the rules learned from watching films, but to listen to the dead if she is to catch a killer.

This is absolutely NOT the sort of book I would normally pick up! I hate horror films, run a mile at ghost trains and avoid scary situations at all costs…however, I am really pleased I read this as despite the title and some grisly murders, it was an excellent read!

A fast paced, easy read, ‘How to Survive a Horror Movie’ brilliantly plays on all the tropes of the genre as Charley hurtles from death to death, her worst fears being realised as the ‘suicides’ as her school seems determined to call them prove to be increasingly vicious murders. The story includes some gory descriptions, but the there is a real tongue-in-cheek sense of humour running through everything which somehow means even a wimp like me managed to read everything.

Behind all the blood and suspense, there is a strong storyline which makes sense of the events which take place- but I am not going to offer any spoilers! Although I worked out who was behind things, I was only partially correct and the actual conclusion was far more satisfying than the one I had envisioned. The characters are very well formed, particularly Charley and Megan, one of the ghosts of those who have been murdered and it is easy to get swept up in the action.

I absolutely loved this one despite all expectations to the contrary! Can’t wait for book 2!

How to Survive a Horror Movie

Scarlett Dunmore

Little Tiger ISBN: 978- 1788957120

Published September 5th 2024

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

Blog Tour: Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins

I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for the very wonderful ‘Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins’ by the equally wonderful Claire Fayers! As a great lover of myths, legends, fables and folklore, I collect these stories wherever I go and am always thrilled when a new collection appears.

Before you have even opened it to discover the delights within, it has to be said that ‘Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins’ is a beautifully produced book. The green hardback perfectly complements the gold lettering and design of the cover by Becka Moor, making this a book to be gifted, treasured, loved and passed on. And (as one of those weird booklovers who can always be found sniffing books!) it smells great too!

In this collection, Claire has taken seventeen traditional Welsh tales and has used her own special magic to re-imagine them for a new generation. In doing so, she has created a treasure trove of tales, offering something new whilst acknowledging the old, allowing readers to investigate the stories which inspired her should they wish to do so.

Each story starts with an author’s note which sets the scene and sometimes offers guidance on pronunciation- essential support for anyone sharing these at a story time. I particularly enjoyed ‘The Green Lady of Caerphilly Castle’ which, inspired by the story, I am planning to visit very soon! But then, I am planning to spend quite a lot of time exploring Wales due to this book!

In some stories, such as the Green Lady, Claire has stayed fairly true to the original; others, she has cleverly altered to offer a new or different take on the tale. In ‘Sir John and the Dragon’, the addition of Mags, a lively, intelligent orphan, which allows a far more satisfactory conclusion to the story of Denbigh’s dragon.

I could easily write about each of the stories and how much I enjoyed them, but that would make this piece far too long. Suffice it to say that for those who love folklore, this is an essential collection. For those who don’t, this is the collection you need to change that!

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins

Claire Fayers, illustrated by Becka Moor

Firefly Press ISBN: 1915444707

You can find out more about Claire and her books on her website: https://clairefayers.com/

Many thanks to the lovely people at Firefly Press for inviting me to take part on this Blog Tour!

You’re a Poet

‎ ‘You’re a Poet’ is a wonderful book. Blending story and poetry writing advice, it is perfect for encouraging adults and children to play with words and become poets! Many people (including teachers) are ‘scared’ of poetry and so this powerful form of expression and source of pleasure is often neglected. This book offers some very practical, achievable and effective ideas which help overcome this and produce some very satisfying results.

The book is organised into five chapters. Each starts with a section of story about Piglet, followed with ideas and advice for developing a different style of poem. Every chapter explores a new adventure as Piglet goes for a walk with his mum, goes on holiday, plays with his friend, Squirrel, makes a rope swing with his dad and paints his room. Each situation leads to Piglet exploring how he is feeling, what he notices or what he sees through poetry.

The beautifully illustrated stories are lovely and offer everyday situations as inspiration, making the book a very practical, fun way of encouraging children to create their own poems. The book begins with ‘Puddle Poems’, a very simple, but very effective and enjoyable way of gathering words to create a poem. Tips and suggestions are given for how this can be developed should the child be ready to do so, but this lovely idea means that even the youngest children can create spoken poems which adults might (or might not!) choose to record for them. This playing with words, developing ideas, choosing vocabulary and having fun is wonderful for helping children to express themselves and explore their emotions as well as for encouraging them to observe the world around them!

Each of the other poems offers a model to support children’s writing. Comparing poems encourage the use of a structure- ‘as…as’ -introducing children to similes without once mentioning the term whilst the ‘Making a person out of something’ poem develops the use of metaphors. The other ideas offer structures for children to play with and develop their own ideas.

An excellent book for enjoying and exploring creative writing, ‘You’re a Poet’ is a wonderful book for home, for school, for everywhere and anywhere, offering really practical ideas which will make everyone free the poet inside!

You’re a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems

Sean Taylor, illustrated by Sam Usher

Walker     ISBN: 978-1529514063

Beautiful: A Celebration of Evolution

Illustrated throughout with stunning watercolours, ‘Beautiful’ is a very special book. The author sets out to show that ‘in nature, the word ugly simply does not apply’ as adaptation and evolution have have created incredible, unique creatures, each of which is beautiful.

A wonderful array of creatures are presented in alphabetical order, starting with the Aldabra Giant Tortoise and ending with the Wild Boar. Some of these entries are not the typical ‘cute and cuddly’ animals often featured in books, but each is held up as something to be admired and appreciated by the author.

Each spread offers beautiful illustrations, its binomial nomenclature and a wealth of information. Not only is the creature described, but details about how it has adapted are given. The Indian pangolin’s tongue, for example, has evolved to be longer than the creatures head and body combined and is connected to the bottom of the ribcage. The shoebill has adapted to survive in the dangerous swamps of easter Africa; a very aggressive creature, it uses its huge beak with a hooked end for spearing its prey. One of my favourite animals, the duck-billed platypus, can detect its prey through picking up tiny electric pulses from other animals, using special nerve cells in its bill. Sadly, the author notes where these creatures are endangered or their at risk from climate change and habitat destruction.

Completely fascinating, this book would add much to the knowledge and understanding of those studying evolution and adaptation as part of the Science Curriculum both in Y6 and in KS3. Each entry supports the statement: ‘Pupils should be taught to identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution’ in a meaningful and engaging way, whilst developing a respect for, and understanding of, these incredible creatures.

A very special, very beautiful book!

Beautiful: A Celebration of Evolution

William Spring

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800786165

Published 1st August 2024

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