A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue

With a sea turtle acting as guide , ‘A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue’ offers a fascinating look at the ‘five big blues’ and the essential role they play. There is so much to learn here, all presented in easily digested sections, using child-friendly language. Starting with the location and importance of the oceans, each one is then introduced in more detail. Waves, tides and currents are the next focus, with each element being explained clearly with diagrams and illustrations to support.

The book continues to look at ocean habitats, ‘wonders’ and the threats the oceans face. A comprehensive contents and index make it easy to navigate the book for research and a glossary explains terms not explained in the body of the text. The book offers not only an excellent tool for children, but great support for the non-specialist teacher with the KS1 Geography statement-name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans- and various elements of the KS2 curriculum. The book is also perfect for dipping in and out of for finding out about wonders like St Elmo’s fire and fog ‘tsunamis’.

Books like this one are key for teaching children the research and note making skills they need to be able to apply their writing skills across the curriculum. Children are often presented with the vastness of the internet for research with no guidance as to the many skills which are need to sift through layers of information , often resorting to flicking from one site to the next in the vain hope of finding something they can copy. Carefully chosen books allow teachers to develop much needed skills in the knowledge that what the children are trying to find out is actually contained in the material they are being offered. Everything from the early skills of using a contents and side headings to those required to interpret diagrams and graphical devices can be tackled using books like this one.

Beautifully illustrated, ‘A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue’ is perfect for navigating and wondering at every aspect of our oceans.

A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue

Catherine Barr, illustrated by Brendan Kearney

Laurence King ISBN: 978-1786279095

The Secret Life of Bees

Buzzwing the honeybee takes everyone on a guided tour of the world of bees . Not only does she welcome the reader into her hive, but Buzzwing also introduces bees from all over the world. A fabulous celebration of bees and the amazing role they play in our lives, ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ even includes bee tales from around the world.

Buzzwing explains the roles taken by different bees in her hive and gives lots of details about bee anatomy. I had no idea that bee eyeballs are hairy! Buzzwing then shows everyone inside the hive and how bees make honey. The information is presented in short accessible sections with plenty of illustrations and diagrams.

There is so much to be learned about bees in these pages, showing just how fascinating their ‘secret’ lives are. ‘Buzzing Around the World’ looks at different types of bees - there are about 20,000 in the world- and how they differ. One thing I really like is the inclusion of a number of bee related stories from around the world- the tradition of telling news to the bees and the Aboriginal story of the lady of the moon, for example.

The book is full of colourful, engaging illustrations and some pages have things to find on them, encouraging close exploration. The final page offers ideas for how to ‘be a bee friend’, showing how to help these amazing insects who make the world ‘a sweeter place’.

The Secret Life of Bees

Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Vivian Mineker

Words and Pictures ISBN: 978-0711260498

A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars

Saved as a baby from a terrible shipwreck, Sante lives with her adoptive family of Mama Rose and her circus performers and a golden eagle named Priss. They live ‘off the grid’, roaming from country to country, performing as they travel and, although hard, life is good. With Cat- wild and feisty knife thrower- and Cobra- snake charmer and her possible future husband- Sante is the star of the show.

A ‘mind whisperer’, Sante can tune into the thoughts of others and has a mystical connection with those who died in the wreck she survived, the unquiet dead in search of peace. When the children rescue a young girl called Scarlett, tension mounts as they become mixed up with evil, and past and present collide.

No synopsis of this book can even begin to do it justice. It is the most original, amazing read, painful in places, but beautifully written. Haunting brutality and exploitation contrast starkly with the magical and supernatural.

Quite simply- this is one you must read.

A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars

Yaba Badoe

Zephyr ISBN: 978-1786695482

The Hippo at the End of the Hall

Receiving an invitation to the mysterious Gee Museum 'containing the wonderful works of nature and curious works of science', Ben is intrigued by the message: Come now or come never! Despite his mother's reluctance for him to go, Ben is drawn to the museum where he finds the exhibits come to life and are desperate for his help as the museum in under threat from a property developer. Ben is their last hope at saving the museum, but has he come in time?

Reminiscent of museums like the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford or Snowshill Manor in Gloucestershire, the Gee Museum is a celebration of the wonderful nature of museums- items people have collected together which are fascinating, mundane, beautiful, rare or curious. The story encourages you to value and explore these places and Helen Cooper has drawn on her love of museums and items she has discovered to create the Gee Museum. Sengi is based on an exhibit in the Natural History Museum in Oxford, the hippo from the Peabody Museum in Boston and Flummery from the Tring Natural History Museum.

The story is beautifully told, using a rich vocabulary and entwining folk tales into Ben's narrative. There is much to explore and enjoy here with the story offering many opportunities for inspiring a range of writing and challenging children to explore the carefully chosen vocabulary. 

Bursting with beautiful pencil sketches, 'The Hippo at the End of the Hall' is a charming, exciting read, perfect for engaging the most reluctant reader.

The Hippo at the End of the Hall       Helen Cooper 

David Fickling Books    ISBN: 978-1910989753

Emily Lime Librarian Detective: The Pencil Case

Emily Lime is back! St Rita’s School for Spirited Girls has a new headmistress, Miss Woolley, whose previous school, Wolfridge Manor, has a a reputation for extreme discipline. However, the changes she brings are not the ones expected and her decision to do away with library systems and assistant librarians does not go down well with Emily Lime, Daphne or George! Determined to keep an eye on their new head, the trio sign up for a trip to the art gallery which throws them headlong into their new mystery- who stole one of the paintings and how are they going to prove that the school handyman, Mr Thanet, is innocent?

Every bit as enjoyable as the first mystery, ‘Emily Lime Librarian Detective: The Pencil Case’ is a cracker! Nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted in as the Assistant (and Assistant Assistant) librarians pick their way through clues and red herrings to solve the case.

Dave’s dry sense of humour captures the ‘St Trinian’s’-style chaos and romps of the St Rita’s girls perfectly, although the scenes in the library made me feel quite weak! The story is full of larger than life characters - George , Daphne and Emily are of course centre stage and as unique as ever. Emily Lime remains one of my favourite book characters- completely obsessed with books and reading, oblivious to social niceties, impatient with anyone or anything that comes between her and a book!

Perfect for those looking for something a little different, ‘Emily Lime Librarian Detective: The Pencil Case’ is a brilliant read.

Emily Lime Librarian Detective: The Pencil Case

Dave Shelton

David Fickling ISBN: 978-1788451031

The Book Case: An Emily Lime Mystery

After an 'unfortunate incident' at her old school, Daphne is on her way to St Rita's, a girls' boarding school. Being a bookworm, she is delighted to be offered a post in the library which is where she meets the unique, quirky Emily Lime, the librarian's assistant, who just happens to be a crime solving genius. Daphne also meets George- the only boy in the school. With strange things happening around them, the three find themselves teaming up to solve the mystery.

Full of fabulous characters, 'The Book Case' is a brilliant read. The school could be compared to St Trinian's in its cast of larger than life pupils and staff. Evidence of failed chemistry experiments, chaos in lessons and midnight feast raids on the kitchens create a fantastic impression of what this school for 'Spirited Girls' is all about! The irascible Emily Lime is just brilliant- her wonky glasses and beret, her 'sour expression', her complete lack of comprehension that anyone might not like books, her outrage when one is damaged- all build a very quirky, individual and unlikely 'Holmes' figure for the story. George- the only boy at an all girls' school- is an unexplained mystery in himself who explains much of the craziness to Daphne (and the reader). 

The story romps along at a pleasing pace, littering the path of the reader with clues about the mysterious goings on until it reaches its conclusion. It is very well written with lots of wonderful description. George, for example, is described as having 'an odd smell about him, of something faintly exotic but distinctly unpleasant; his hair was enthusiastically berserk.' 

Feeling at times like a tongue in cheek Malory Towers, set at some time like the 1930's, 'The Book Case' is a rompingly good read, with lots of black and white illustrations throughout. Spiffing really!

The Book Case - An Emily Lime Mystery     

Dave Shelton

David Fickling Books       ISBN: 978-1910200544

Malamander

Proud of his job of ‘Lost and Fouder’ at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbert Lemon does his best to reunite lost belongings with their rightful owners. However, when a girl - Violet Parma- appears declaring he is the only one who can help her, Herbert finds himself drawn into solving the mystery of Violet’s missing parents. The trail seems to lead them to the legendary Malamader, a monster supposed to lurk on the shores of their town. Is the monster real and is it responsible for the disappearance of Violet’s parents?

With vivid descriptions and plenty of action, this is a brilliant fun-filled adventure. Herbert and Violet are wonderful characters. Herbert is loyal and conscientious and find plenty of courage when it’s most needed. Violet is impulsive and keen on action and together they make a dynamic pair as they set about solving the mystery.

Eerie-on-Sea is created with such imagination! I love The Book Dispensary and all the colourful characters who inhabit the town, like Jenny Hanniver and the wonderful Erwin, the dispensary cat. The eccentricity of the town’s inhabitants and locations adds greatly to the charm of the story, absorbing you into its world.

With wonderfully wicked villains and the mysterious Malamander, this is a brilliant story. Read it now!

Malamander Thomas Taylor

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406386288

Rebel Animals at Risk

Our planet is home to a vast array of fascinating and extraordinary creatures. Sadly, many are on the edge of extinction. ‘Rebel Animals at Risk’ introduces the reader to amazing creatures from every continent and ocean, with each section illustrated by illustrators from around the world in their own unique style.

The book tells the stories of over 60 real-life creatures. A map at the start of each section helps the reader to locate where each comes from and a fascinating introduction to that area, the creatures that live there and the challenges that they are facing. A wonderful range of creatures is included, both well-known and lesser- known. The ‘wildlife wins’ for each region are also listed, celebrating the successes and offering an encouraging, positive note.

There are so many fascinating tales here such as that of mischievous Veeti, the European mink who lives at Ranua Wildlife Park in Finland or Whiskey, the Numbat who was born at Perth Zoo. Both these creatures are playing an important role in the conservation of their species as well as raising awareness. Each story could lead to further research about that particular creature or that breed. The book contains suggestions for further reading or film to watch as well as ideas for how to take action to make life better for endangered animals.

A clear contents, comprehensive index and glossary make the book perfect for research, allowing the reader to readily locate information. There are also sections about the author and each illustrator. Packed with information about conservation and entries on individual creatures, ‘Rebel Animals at Risk’ would make an excellent addition to any classroom or library!

Rebel Animals at Risk

Kimberlie Hamilton , with illustrators from around the world

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702300110

Rebel Cats!

Cats are wonderful creatures and ‘Rebel Cats’ is full of stories, facts and famous felines. The book has been illustrated by a range of artists, each bringing their own style and personality to the work.

Some of these rebel cats are quite well known. The story of Mrs Chippy (who was actually a male cat!) and his time on the Endurance with Shackleton is familiar to those of us who have used William Grill’s ‘Shackleton’s Journey’ and many people have seen Doorkins when visiting Southwark Cathedral (myself included!).

Musical cats, Hollywood stars, marvellous mousers and furry heroes are all included here. As well as being enjoyed in their own right, many of these mini-biographies could be used as the basis for story writing as the lives led by these cats are amazing! Other books, like ‘Tibs, the Post Office Cat’ by Joyce Dunbar, could be used alongside this book- Tibs is mentioned on page 49 in the ‘Mighty Mousers’ section.

The cat-ographies are interspersed with fascinating feline facts. There are suggestions for how to help cats in need, ‘spooky cats’, information about cats ‘from nose to tail’ and a ‘Puss in Books’ section. There is also a useful glossary and ‘Rebel Cats’ timeline.

Beautifully illustrated in a range of styles, ‘Rebel Cats’ is a fabulous treat for anyone who loves cats.

Rebel Cats! Brave Tales of Feisty Felines

Kimberlie Hamilton

Scholastic ISBN: 978-1407192604

The Eye of the North

Emmeline is convinced her life is in danger. Clutching her satchel full of things to keep her alive, she makes her way through life, ready for anything! One breakfast time, she receives a letter from her parents which changes everything.

Put on a ship to sail to Paris where she would find safety, Emmeline meets a young boy called Thing, a scruffy stowaway, and an unlikely friendship develops between them. Chased by the criminals who kidnapped her parents, Emmeline is caught and taken to a villainous scientist, who is determined to summon an ancient creature from the icy depths of the north...

Desperate to save his new friend, Thing seeks help from a secret organisation and sets off in pursuit. 

What follows is an amazing story, combining the adventures of Emmeline and Thing as the one races to save the other. Fast paced and exciting, the book is peppered with fantastic characters and magical creatures, making this an enchanting read. 

Thing is a wonderful character. Haunted by his past, he is loyal and resourceful- a perfect companion for Emmeline, whose upbringing and experiences have made her more reserved and cautious. Rich, atmospheric language describes the settings beautifully and Emmeline's world comes vividly to life. With dangers at every turn, this will appeal to those who love fantasy and adventure.

The Eye of the North       Sinead O'Hart

Stripes Publishing      ISBN: 978-1847159410

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Half-Indian, half-English, Rosina has had to move to England where she is miserable. Her father took her from India when her mother died and she misses the palace she lived in and her aunt, Rani-K, the queen of their kingdom. Things take a dramatic turn when Rosie learns that her father is a spy for the British government and she stows away on a plane to be with him. Finding herself in Nazi occupied France, Rosie needs to be on her guard if she is to help her father with his mission- and survive.

Courageous and loyal, Rosie is an excellent heroine. Left reeling by her mother’s death and angry and confused by her father’s apparent lack of grief and concern for her wishes, Rosie is determined to find out what he is doing, launching herself into the heart of danger. Smart and capable, she is keen to learn the ‘skills’ of spying and quick to take action when needed.

The story does not shy away from some of the harsh realities of life in occupied France, exploring the role of the resistance and the risks they faced in opposing the Nazis. There is tragedy within the unit Rosie’s father is leading and tough decisions have to be made, considering ‘the greater good’.

Rosie’s mixed heritage of her Indian mother and English father also introduces the role of the British Raj in India, the struggle for independence and Gandhi’s non-violent teachings, sure to encourage readers to further investigate this part of history. I wonder whether the final version of the book might include some suggested reading material as there is so much to learn from (as well as enjoy in) this story. I believe this is the first in a series of adventures for Rosie and I look forward to seeing what she gets up to next!

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Sufiya Ahmed

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801990059

A Recipe for Trouble

Alice Éclair might only be thirteen, but she is also an expert pâtissière and France's youngest, keenest spy. For the past year, she has been receiving cryptic messages and puzzles to solve and, although she does not know who they are from, she has her suspicions - which are realised when a final code leads her to a secret meeting.

Alice learns that all the puzzles have been to train her in espionage in the hope that she will undertake a mission to uncover a cunning enemy agent.  Alice sets off on this dangerous assignment aboard France's most glamourous train, posing as a pastry chef. But soon everyone on the train is under suspicion and Alice must use all her baking skills and her cunning to crack the case.

There is much to enjoy in this adventure, Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire! Alice is a wonderful heroine; resourceful and intelligent, yet fallible, she launches herself into her investigation with enviable energy and enthusiasm. There are twists and turns a-plenty and scatterings of red herrings as Alice engineers opportunities to investigate her fellow passengers.  The reader learns to crack codes and can test their own sleuthing skills as the mystery develops - only to be surprised by a sudden shock! There are some tense moments along the way as Alice finds herself facing peril as well as baking pastries.

The story offers plenty to discuss with its Parisian opening, attitudes to women and 'serving' classes and, of course, its many cake references. With a new adventure, A Spoonful of Spying, on its way, Alice is sure to become a firm favourite.

Alice Éclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble

Sarah Todd Taylor

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839940958

My Beautiful Voice

The thought of a school poetry performance, but a little girl is so shy that she can’t speak in class. However, her teacher, Miss Flotsam, gently encourages her to find her voice and write her poem. Her confidence builds until she feels brave enough to share the poem with the class.

A beautifully up-lifting book, ‘My Beautiful Voice’ is so full of joy, showing the importance of patience and kindness in a teacher. Miss Flotsam ‘explodes’ into the classroom, full of energy and enthusiasm. She is full of stories and experiences that she shares with her class, inspiring them with ideas for their poems. Yet she also notices and has time for the quiet child, recognising what she needs, patiently guiding her and enabling her to achieve.

For those who are quieter, the story reflects the struggles involved in speaking in front of others, but also the joy of finally finding your voice and unlocking the beauty of your own voice. It’s always a source of the greatest delight when a shy child in your class takes that first step and presents to an audience.

The book itself is also a celebration of poetry. Joseph Coelho’s language is effortlessly beautiful as it describes the events and emotions flowing through the story. There are so many images which could be used to inspire a class to develop their own images and descriptions. His words are matched by Allison Colpoys’ fabulous illustrations which capture the vitality and zest for life of Miss Flotsam, the whole spread of emotions and the final triumph of the little girl perfectly.

‘My Beautiful Voice’ is a delightful read, sure to inspire empathy and understanding and develop the love of poetry.

My Beautiful Voice

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711248311

Odd Dog Out

Living in a place where everydog looks the same and acts the same, being different means you really stand out. From her clothes to her interests, Odd Dog is just that- the odd dog out- and feels she has to leave her home to find somewhere that she fits in.

So she makes her way to 'Doggywood' where all the dogs look and act just like she does. She is delighted! But then she makes a new friend who teaches her that standing out from the crowd and being an individual is something to be proud of!

With its positive message and amazing illustrations, this is a brilliant book for home or school. Visually rich and rewarding, each spread is full of details to explore and enjoy whilst the story offers a heart-warming affirmation of individuality.

Whether used as a lovely story, as the starting point for discussions about standing out from the crowd or to inspire amazing artwork, 'Odd Dog Out' is a book that can be appreciated by children (and adults!) of all ages. The loneliness she experiences and the self doubt that makes her feel out of place is something that many of us will feel at some point in our lives and this story puts a light-hearted slant on this.

There are other stories about being an individual and dancing to your own tune, but this is a story which presents the message in a way as unique as the individual reading it!

Odd Dog Out   Rob Biddulph

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007594153

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece

In their latest adventure, Shifty and Sam are in Paris where they are going to bake a huge gingerbread Eiffel Tower for Gallerie Bonbon, an upmarket art gallery. But a master criminal is at large and when sneaky fox, Cunningham Sly, steals a precious painting from under their noses, the chase is on. Can our brilliant bakers save the day- and get their gingerbread tower built in time?

Our lovable duo are off on their adventures again. Tracey's lively text is a real joy to read aloud- the pace and energy are perfect. In keeping with the Parisian setting, there are French words and expressions woven into the story, adding that extra 'Je ne sais quoi' to the tale! This was also developed through the illustrations and led to wonderful conversations about Paris and its landmarks with my class, clearly demonstrating how a fabulous book can offer so much more than a brilliant story!

As ever in these stories, so much character is conveyed in very few words. Shifty and Sam's new adversary, Cunningham Sly, is a great example of this. If using this as a class text, a great deal of character building and language development could be done based on him- as well as Shifty and Sam, of course- and even their little spider friend.

Talking of the spider, I was so pleased to see that the traditional spider hunt on each page has been maintained - with some very challenging hiding places! Every illustration in the book is an absolute joy- full of detail and humour. Steven has played with some famous masterpieces, giving them a doggy make-over, once again encouraging discussion and further investigation of the originals. As events take place around them, the sharp-eyed reader will delight in noticing changes in each painting.

Each 'Shifty' adventure leaves me longing for the next one and this is no exception! Fun and light-hearted humour are guaranteed, but the quality of both text and illustration make them something really special. I hope they are going to work their way round Europe!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece  Tracey Corderoy,

illustrated by Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow     ISBN: 978-0857639745 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa's Stolen Sleigh

Everyone’s favourite baker dogs are back in a new adventure! They’re heading to Lapland to create a feast for Father Christmas. However, when they arrive, they find that all of the elves are covered in spots. Help appears in the form of Flo Frost, a polar bear with lots of helpful gadgets. Whilst the boys bake a feast fit for Santa, Flo sets to work, but does she have a sneaky plan which could see the end of Christmas..?

I love Shifty and Sam so much! Since the first title appeared in 2015, these lovable dogs have been firm favourites. ‘Santa’s Stolen Sleigh’ is a fabulous festive treat, just right for sharing. As with each of these stories, Tracey’s wonderful rhyming text is a joy to read aloud. Bursting with moments of humour, the lines trip along perfectly and the story lends itself perfectly to encouraging children to tell their own Christmassy adventures for these adorable dogs!

Every spread is full of details to notice and offers plenty to discuss. As with the other books, there is a spider to spot on every page. I really feel they need a book all of their own as they are bursting with a cheeky personality and an adventurous spirit! The whole thing is a delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to share this!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa’s Stolen Sleigh

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788007771

Mabel and the Mountain

Mabel may be small, but she has some big ambitions. Number one of these is to climb a mountain. Her fellow flies are not very supportive, pointing out amongst other things that flies fly- they don’t climb. But Mabel is bursting with positivity and sets off immediately.

However, she soon discovers just how hard a task she has set herself. Others are quicker, stronger, louder and downright rude so Mabel considers adjusting her plans until she listens to the little voice inside, telling her that she can! She perseveres, triumphs and inspires others to follow their dreams too.

What a wonderful story for encouraging perseverance! It is not often that a fly gets a starring role, but small though she is, Mabel is delightful, showing that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard. Perfect for assemblies or PSHE lessons, Mabel is easy to relate to and when the going gets tough, children could be reminded of her attitude. I particularly like the references to others who seem better at mountaineering than Mabel, making her achievement seem all the greater for her hard work and tenacity.

Although the story packs a powerful message, it is done with humour and a light-hearted touch. The illustrations are delightful and it would be easy to engage children with creating their own fingerprint fly characters and setting them off on their own adventures. This would be a lovely story to use for a Book Hook session…

‘Mabel and the Mountain’ buzzes with its positive message about believing in yourself, persevering and achieving your dreams.

Mabel and the Mountain

Kim Hillyard

Ladybird ISBN: 978-0241407929

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Showing the imaginary migration of a blacktip reef shark, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ takes the reader on a voyage of discovery and introduces them to the underwater world. Here, they meet different types of sharks and other marine life in their habitats before finding a way back to the Great Barrier Reef and home.

Blue sun in sunken skies

the sea sharpens to the shape

of Shark off the west coast

of Australia.

So begins this magical journey, sympathetically exploring shark’s world. It is a joy to read aloud, lyrical and flowing, and sure to excite the imagination. The blacktip reef shark encounters many other species on its journey offering a fascinating glimpse of some of the different types of shark and their habitats. A little more information is included about each at the end of the book along with other things it encounters, making the perfect starting point for further investigation.

Often the focus of fear and sensationalist headlines, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ focuses on the beauty of these creatures and the essential role they play in helping to maintain the ocean’s balance. It also reminds the reader of the threats posed by climate change and the impact this is having on shark’s world.

Each glorious illustration celebrates the beauty of our oceans, showing the varied habitats of the sharks and the creatures who live alongside them. The book would make a wonderful starting point for inspiring artwork and poems about these magnificent creatures, accompanied by research. The text is rich in imagery, alliteration, kennings, repetition, onomatopoeia… showing the joy of language and the beauty of expression as well as conveying lots of fascinating information.

Perfect for reading aloud, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’ would make a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1914079054

Leap, Hare, Leap!

‘Dip-dwelling grass-grazer’ Hare leaps from landscape to landscape around the world, introducing the reader to different breeds of hares on her journey. As she ventures from place to place, Hare faces danger from predators as she encounters her

Rich in imagery, ‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ is a beautiful introduction to the world of these fascinating creatures. Using kennings, alliteration, simile and metaphor, the book is lyrical, a joy to read aloud, as well as informative. Additional facts about each hare she meets are included at the end of the book along with information about the Hare Preservation Trust. A glossary explains some of the terms used.

The artwork is as powerful as the text, full of drama and detail. Hare escapes from each predator-including the man-made ‘mechanical monster’ which destroys Woolly hare’s home- making it safely home to her leverets. This book, like ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’, is perfect for supporting work in science on animals and their habitats as well as for inspiring poetry writing.

‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ offers a love of language, beautiful illustrations and fascinating facts.

Leap Hare Leap!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1913134921

Dear Earth

Beautiful in both illustration and words, ‘Dear Earth’ explores our planet and all its wonders.

Tessa’s grandfather was an explorer and loves to share stories of his adventures with his granddaughter. Inspired by his memories, Tessa decides to write a letter to the Earth and what follows is a celebration of all the beauties and wonders of this planet. It is a real love letter, sharing her passion for the Earth as she believes that if enough people share the message, it will have a better future.

Through Tessa’s imagination and the stunning illustrations by Clara Anganuzzi, the reader experiences the diverse and glorious creatures of our planet and all the places in which they live. She blows bubbles with whales, kisses butterflies and screeches with the monkeys and birds of the rain forests. But she also reminds us that the world is a fragile place, easily hurt by people, often unintentionally, and needs love and care to flourish.

At the end of the book, there are pages offering more information about environmental issues and practical suggestions for things people can do to help.

Once we had read and enjoyed the story, each of my class wrote a letter to the Earth which will be displayed hanging from our ‘book balloon’. This has been painted to look like the cover of the book by the children with their drawings of the creatures and Tessa added. Pictures of this will be posted as soon as it’s finished.

‘Dear Earth’ is a stunning book about how special and fragile our planet is. Every class needs a copy!

Dear Earth

Isabel Otter, illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1848579415