Drawn to Change the World

It is more important than ever to use our voices and our strengths and join as communities to make change, even when those in power don’t want us to do so.

In her introduction to this fascinating book, Emma Reynolds explains why she decided to write this book, as a celebration of those who are striving for change and as inspiration for others who might follow their example. Her words set the scene perfectly for the stories of the sixteen youth activists from around the world included in the book, each beautifully illustrated by sixteen different artists.

An introduction offers an overview of the climate change crisis. I learned a great deal from this section, part of which is written by Matthew Shribman, cofounder of AimHi Earth. Key factors, like carbon sinks are carefully explained and the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable highlighted.

Each graphic story is introduced by a map showing where in the world the subject lives, who the story is about and who illustrated it. The stories are powerfully told, vividly sharing the individual’s concerns and the actions that they took to change things for the better for their community. For example, Autumn Peltier’s fight for clean water for her people is truly inspiring- and the treatment of First Nation communities shocking. The ‘What are they doing now’ section at the end of each section allows the reader to discover more about each individual, including where to find them on social media. The graphic format makes each story very accessible and the different illustrative styles offers pleasing variety.

This is such an impressive, inspiring collection of individuals, who are so courageous and dedicated to their beliefs, that it makes a very enjoyable as well as informative read. Highly recommended!

Drawn to Change the World

Emma Reynolds

HarperAlley ISBN: 978-0063084216

Day 9 of the Hilda Blog Tour

The Hilda Blog tour is well underway and I am delighted to be joining in for the Twitter leg of the tour! Hilda has long been a firm favourite in this house and in this book, the reader encounters all manner of beasts and spirits found in the city of Trolberg and the surrounding area.

The book is organised into six areas- Towering Terrors, Secretive Souls, Almost Human, Under the Water, Up in the Air and Below the Ground. Because Hilda has borrowed this book from the library so often, the librarian said she could keep it. To help any fellow adventurers, Hilda has added copious notes to the original text, adding plenty of details which the original author neglected to mention- or was unaware of.

Each section is full of annotated illustrations with Hilda’s notes and drawings added in blue ‘pen’. Although the book is obviously the perfect companion to the television series, there is plenty here to engage any reader whether familiar with the franchise or not. In fact, the book would make a great model for teachers wanting a text to inspire classes developing ideas for their own creatures which could then be developed into non-chronological reports. The contrast between the informal tone of Hilda’s notes and the ‘original’ text also makes an interesting point for discussion.

Endlessly entertaining and completely engrossing, ‘Hilda’s Book of Beasts and Spirits’ is an absolute winner! Every page is packed with details and the book closes with an index to support locating specific information.

Hilda’s Book of Beasts and Spirits

Flying Eye ISBN: 978-1911171584

Alte Zachen (Old Things)

Benji and his grandmother, Bubbe Rosa, go shopping together for the ingredients for their Friday night dinner. As they wander through Brooklyn and Manhattan, Bubbe is often confused as the world around her does not match with her memories, leaving her feeling alienated and angry.

This is a very powerful and moving graphic novel. As grandmother and grandson walk through the city, the reader catches glimpses of Bubbe Rosa’s youth. Presented in colour, these flashbacks are triggered by sights and sounds from the present, giving the reader an insight into events that have shaped her life and personality. A group of children they pass spark her memories of school and callously being sent home with the other Jewish children, a tattooed stranger brings a vision of many arms bearing tattooed numbers and a dirty train, the memory of travelling on the red velvet seats with her mother and sister. Although puzzled by her reactions, her grandson supports and guides her.

Bubbe Rosa’s memories also drift to her relationships- with Gershon who was a baker and then Joe, Benji’s grandfather. Her memories of Gershon seem to be tinged with regret and at the end of the story, Rosa finds her way to his bakery where the two are reunited once more. Benji and his Bubbe then head for home to share their Friday night meal, walking in companionable silence.

‘Alte Zachen’ would be perfect for sharing with children in KS3 as a starting point for many discussions, including intergenerational relationships and displacement. The story is scattered with Yiddish terms and there is a useful glossary explaining these at the end of the book.

Alte Zachen Ziggy Hanaor, illustrated by Benjamin Phillips

Cicada Books ISBN: 978-1800660229

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Explorers

The ‘Corpse Talk’ series is incredibly popular at school, with a constant stream of children waiting to borrow the next title as soon as it is returned. Accessible and entertaining, the format is perfect for introducing children to figures from history. With previous collections about royalty, authors, rebels and scientists, many of the biographies included are perfect for supporting learning across the curriculum.

‘Explorers’ is the latest book in the series, offering a fantastic range of adventurous men and women and their achievements. With explorers a popular thematic study for KS2 history, the biographies here both support and extend children’s learning in this area. Shackleton is also a popular figure with William Grill’s ‘Shackleton’s Journey’ often being used as a key text in Year 6. The ‘interview’ in this book could easily be used alongside this- or simply made available for children to read at their leisure.

Although told in graphic format, the text used is challenging, clearly alleviating any concerns which might be held about using this type of text in school. The book seeks to question and clarify possible preconceptions and misconceptions which are held about some of these figures, discussing the ‘violence, disease and exploitation’ which accompanied many of these explorers’ activities and rightly challenging commonly held ‘facts’ about Columbus and others. The final pages show the route of each explorer on a map. ‘Explorers’ would make an enjoyable guided reading text as well as a perfect addition to the library.

Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Explorers Adam and Lisa Murphy

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452014

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Having witnessed the cruelty of bile extraction from a bear when she was a child, Chang grew up determined to become a wildlife conservationist and do all she could to protect animals and the rainforest. Although her dreams are met with ridicule and are dismissed by others, Chang persists and is at last accepted to a volunteer at the Cat Tien National Park. Here, she learns to care for rescued creatures, both here and at the Bear Rescue Centre where she also worked. Whilst here, she is introduced to Sorya, a sun bear, captured from a forest in Laos. Unlike other bears at the centre, this orphaned cub has a good chance of learning to fend for herself and being released back into the wild. Chang is put in charge of teaching her the survival skills she will need and is determined to help Sorya return to the wild. When she feels Sorya is ready, Chang faces her toughest challenge yet- letting Sorya go and live the life she was meant to live.

This is such a powerful story. Told in a chatty tone, the book is based on the true story of Trang Nguyen, a Vietnamese wildlife conservationist and environmental activist, whose own life was changed when she accidentally witnessed a moon bear having bile extracted and on the lives of real bears, Sorya and Pola, a moon bear. The book is rich in facts about these amazing creatures and the important role they play in the forest as well as the cruelty of the poachers and those who extract the bear’s bile for the medicine trade.

The illustrations are stunning and the graphic novel format engaging and absorbing. Lush scenes of the rainforest are rich in detail and colour whilst ‘pages’ from Chang’s notebook are shown in sepia. There are so many beautiful spreads to enjoy as Sorya’s story unfolds.

This powerful and moving story would make the perfect basis for an assembly or to broaden children’s understanding of conservation work and the dangers faced by creatures around the world. Gill Lewis’s unforgettable book, ‘Moon Bear’ is also about bear bile farming and would offer further reading for those who wish to develop their understanding of this cruel practice and perhaps be inspired to take action against it.

An excellent addition to any library or bookshelf, ‘Saving Sorya’ is an empowering and inspiring story.

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Trang Nguyen, illustrated by Jeet Zdung

Macmillan ISBN: 978-0753446591