The Suitcase

When a little boy is left at his grandparent’s for the summer holidays, he expects to be completely bored as nothing ever happens there and there is nothing to do. However, when searching the attic, he finds a suitcase, full of mysterious things and photos of people having incredible adventures and doing exciting things. Determined to find out who they are, he starts to investigate…

This is such a lovely story, perfect for helping children to appreciate their grandparents - and perhaps their parents- as ‘real’ people who have lived interesting and varied lives in their own right as well as being the ‘boring’ people they see day after day. Readers will love spotting all the clues hidden in plain sight and piecing together the solution whilst the young lad puzzles over the evidence. There is plenty here to amuse adults as well as children- a tape of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is labelled as possibly being some sort of spying equipment, for example!

The story would make an excellent starting point for developing children’s interest in their own family history, encouraging them to talk to relations and learn more about their lives and perhaps discovering new interests which they can share. For some family’s looking at the past might not be possible, but the story could lead to creating their own ‘suitcase’ of memorabilia of a holiday or day spent together (whether at home or away!), forging new memories and strengthening bonds across generations.

I could wax lyrical for hours about the fabulous illustrations - the antics of the cat, the before and after photos on the end papers, the links between the grandparents past and present lives- there is so much to notice and enjoy!

Heart-warming and joyful, ‘The Suitcase’ helps readers understand that other people might be more interesting that we give them credit for!

The Suitcase Daniela Sosa

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398518698

Granny and Bean

There are some books which magically manage to capture the very essence of a perfect day and this is one of them. The story evokes memories of childhood (and parenthood) as it portrays the idyllic sense of togetherness and joy- joy in each others company, joy in exploration, joy in their surroundings, joy in the simple things of life- that is at the heart of an outing with a child.

Karen Hesse uses gentle rhyming text to capture this day at the beach. The sky is grey and the wind whips the waves, but nothing deters these two from enjoying each new experience. With ‘their cheeks chaffed red and their hair dripping wet’, they continue their walk across the beach, laughing and playing, picnicking and singing. The language is rich and playful with plenty of things to discuss and to inspire the next trip to the beach!

The illustrations are as delightful as the text. Granny and Bean move across each spread, the bright colour of their clothing vivid against the unique beauty of a grey day on a British beach. They do not pause for photos or phone calls; Granny is as ‘in the moment’ as Bean, often crouching down to child level to share and value each experience. They keep a few ‘best shells and a stone’ to take away with them- no living creatures torn from their environment here- as they turn and make their way back towards home, their shadows long in the late afternoon light.

Perfect for sharing at home or at school, ‘Granny and Bean’ is simply delightful!

Granny and Bean

Karen Hesse, illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529510041