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

Fergal is Fretting

Fergal is so excited when Dad tells him that his friend, Elspeth, is coming for a visit. But then he starts to worry. It’s been such a long time since he last saw her that things might not be the same. His parents notice that something is wrong and together, they find ways to make his fretting go away.

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time and having ways of dealing with this really helps. Fergal’s mum suggests that he takes a deep breath, finds things to keep himself busy and focus on what’s happening right now to help keep his fretting feelings under control. This is perfect advice for children – and their parents – to adopt when anxiety gets the better of them.

It turns out that Elspeth is also worried about meeting up again, reassuring children that they are not alone in feeling anxious about things and that these are quite normal feelings. Through Fergal’s experiences of complicated, big emotions, children will be able to discuss and share, finding ways of coping with these, , making this story (and the others in the series) a great starting point for discussions as well as a reference point to return to in times of worry.

The illustrations are lovely with the endpapers at the back of the book showing pictures of some the wonderful moments Fergal and Elspeth shared at the Summer Fete. There are so many details to notice and enjoy and teachers and parents alike will enjoy sharing this book with the children in their care.

Fergal is Fretting

Rob Starling

Andersen     ISBN: 978-1839132629

We are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail

Happy in the Wibbly with the other eggs, one tiny creature is enjoying a relaxing life. Suddenly, things start changing. First, all the Wibbly friends grow tails and become tadpoles. Next, they have burst out of the Wibbly, then grown legs, then arms…and all the while, the tiny creature is reluctantly keeping up on this journey from spawn to frog!

This is one of those wonderful books which works in so many ways! ‘We are the Wibbly’, apart from having an excellent title, offers a really entertaining look at the life cycle of a frog, clearly showing each stage of development, making it an excellent teaching tool!

However, the reluctance of this one little egg to grow up and the anxiety and pressure it feels at having to keep up with the others, also makes this a reassuring story to share with little ones experiencing the same emotions. Unwilling to leave the Wibbly, the mass of frogspawn it shares with its fellows, the little frog-to-be is horrified by change in the others, the filled with self-doubt as it is left behind. Then, no sooner had it become ‘longish’ like the others than they were all bursting from the Wibbly and water-flying, causing yet more feelings of anxiety and confusion. The beauty of the way in which this story is presented is that it could also be read with older children experiencing similar emotions, allowing them to distance themselves whilst discussing the content, perhaps in relation to younger children, and allowing them to explore ways of coping with these feelings. Indeed, there are days when I think ‘Oh my crikeys!’ at just how fast time is passing and how much things are changing!

There will be people who are not fans of the use (or misuse!) of grammar to express the little creature’s thoughts, but this just adds to the charm of the story! It also lends itself quite brilliantly to being the basis for a fun lesson about the use of subject-verb agreement in ‘standard’ English by playing with, and creating, sentences which defy the rules as well as those which conform.

The illustrations are just wonderful. Full of colour and energy, they capture the contrast between little creature’s reactions to its changing circumstances and those of its fellows, offering much to discuss. Children could write from the viewpoint of one of the other tadpoles, showing how their experiences differ.

Hilarious and heartwarming!

We are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail

Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Jane McGuinness

Bloomsbury    ISBN: 978-1526627346

Published 28th March 2024

A Horse Called Now

Now the horse is enjoying the peace of the field where she lives when she hears the hammering heartbeats of frightened animals. First, Rabbit and her babies are scared about Fox, then Hen and her chicks arrive, full of fears about Magpie and next Sheep and her lambs appear, terrified of a new sheepdog. Now calmly listens to their fears, reassuring them that these things might not happen and encouraging them to enjoy the moment. When a storm blows in, they find shelter in the barn, only to be faced with the animals they were running from. But, perhaps, everything is not as frightening as it first seemed…

Gentle and reassuring, this lovely story encourages readers to overcome their worries and enjoy the present moment. As each group of animals arrive, Now calmly listens to their concerns with no judgement, before offering simple, comforting advice and suggesting something positive which they might do to help them enjoy the moment. Now shows them how breathing helps her to release feelings of fear, reminding them that nothing lasts forever. The story is perfect for sharing, with adults and children able to practise breathing with Now and perhaps referring to it in difficult situations, encouraging children to look for something to enjoy in the moment rather than focusing on their fears.

When faced with the creatures which had caused such anxiety, the rabbits, sheep and chickens find that once they get to know them, the fox, dog and magpie are not so frightening after all. Each spread is beautifully illustrated with plenty to notice and enjoy and children are sure to comment on Now’s name, making the link with her attitude to life! This lovely story is sure to become a firm favourite with adults and children alike.

A Horse Called Now

Ruth Doyle, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839946851

Victor the wolf with worries

Victor worries a lot. He worries that he isn’t brave enough, big enough or wolfish enough. He tries to pretend that he’s all of these things- but then worries other might expect him to do the things which he is too worried to do. Luckily, his best friend, Pablo is on hand to offer some good advice and Victor’s worries start to recede and then Pablo confides that he (Pablo) had been worried about all the same things.

Wonderfully warm and reassuring, ‘Victor the wolf with worries’ is perfect for sharing with little ones who are struggling to cope with their feelings. Not only does Pablo help Victor understand that worrying is perfectly normal and something which everyone does, he also offers some excellent advice and strategies for dealing with these feelings. The book offers an excellent starting point for grown-ups for encouraging little ones to explore their emotions and find ways of dealing with them.

The illustrations are everything you would expect from Catherine Rayner. Victor has the most gorgeous little face with wonderfully expressive eyes, allowing the reader to really empathise with him- again, perfect for encouraging discussions about feelings. I am always stunned by Catherine’s artwork- every spread is a masterpiece!

Victor the Wolf with Worries

Catherine Rayner

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529051285

My Life on Fire

When disaster strikes and Ren’s family lose their home in a fire, they feel lucky to be  alive. But soon, having lost everything and having to live a very different life at her grandmother’s, Ren starts to feel resentful that others have lovely things whilst she and her family have…nothing. Having no one to turn to, Ren starts to collect new things- things which don’t belong to her.

Brimming with positivity and questions, Casper really can’t believe that there is a thief in his class and is sure it must be a mistake. However, when he learns the truth, will he be able to help put things right?

Cath Howe is a superb author who manages to combine excellent writing, gripping plots and engaging characters with challenging storylines which make the reader think. This story is told through the voices of Ren and Casper.

From the outset, Cath develops empathy for Ren and her family. The pain she feels for the loss of her special possessions as well as everyday items which are usually taken for granted is poignantly conveyed as is the contrast between her lovely bedroom and the places she finds herself in. She is constantly conflicted, knowing the family are lucky to be alive and together and yet… Against this, the reader watches, helpless, as Ren finds her own way of coping and things spiral out of control. Cath’s understanding and development of characters is second to none.

Casper is one of those children all teachers instantly recognise. Good hearted, full of enthusiasm and boundless energy, they can sometimes be exhausting, but are the heartbeat of a happy class. He is bewildered by what he discovers- ‘only a bad person would do something like this’- but is positive everything can be made right. His friendship and support are just what Ren needs, helping her to find herself again.

The story never seeks to excuse Ren for what she does, but it opens a door for discussions around the reasons why people might act in certain ways and how they might be supported with this. The impact of her actions on others is also considered. ‘My Life on Fire’ is a powerful, sensitive novel with much to recommend it.

 My Life on Fire Cath Howe

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-18339942839

Published 6th April 2023

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review ‘The Insiders’ here and my Q and A session with Cath here.

A Flash of Fireflies

Hazel is starting a new life in England to live with the aunt who raised her father before her parents join her at the end of the summer. Grant- her great aunt- lives in a cottage worthy of a fairy tale with a magical garden. But Hazel struggles with change, missing her family and the life she has left behind. She is visited by three fireflies who set her on quests, leading her into a fantasy world as she battles her personal demons.

Aisha Bushby is well known for her magical writing and ‘A Flash of Fireflies’ is no exception. At the end of this story, she shares her own experiences of OCD, explaining how it makes her feel and how she has built ways of fighting it. In the story, Hazel’s OCD is represented by the fireflies who take her on repetitive quests, but ultimately, she learns that she is not alone with her anxieties and that there are people who can help her. The story is sure to offer comfort and support to those who need it, but also to encourage empathy and compassion in those who have little understanding of a condition which is so often misunderstood.

Hazel’s move from Kuwait to England without her parents triggers her anxiety and yet attending summer school and exploring the topic of fairy tales helps her to make new friendships and combat the ‘scary newness’ of the place, allowing her to call it home. The writing is beautiful, cleverly combining the real with the fantasy and would make an excellent guided reading text or class read, offering much to discuss and enjoy.

A Flash of Fireflies Aisha Bushby

Farshore ISBN: 978-0755500642

You can read my review of ‘Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found’ here