Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
The Boy who Painted the World
Once, a boy found a blank book. Stumbling inside, he soon made a mess- but a friendly paint brush helped him to see that he could transform the splodges into…a messy-a-saurus, wobbly squares into… robots, and circ-angles into…birds! All the boy’s ‘mistakes’ turned into amazing pictures as he and the paint brush mixed a little confidence with a lot of imagination to prove that mistakes open a world of possibilities!
What a brilliant book! Faced with a world which demands a very limited view of ‘perfection’ at every turn, we need more and more books like this which encourage creativity and exploration and show that ‘mistakes’ are merely happy accidents or starting points.
Whatever his previous experiences, the little boy in the story has obviously been left feeling that he is no good at art. ‘I always make a big mess,’ he says apologetically to the paint brush, ‘I’m not very neat.’ Whether he has been told directly or he has gleaned it from comments about his or others’ work, he has learned that neatness and careful lines are things which make an artist and that his work falls short. However, with paint brush’s guidance, he starts to enjoy himself, not worrying about how ‘perfect’ his work is, but relishing the fact that it is fun! Isn’t this what art - or any hobby-should be all about?
Offering a wonderful starting point for creative projects- suggestions for some projects are included at the end- the book also allows for discussions about the importance of having a go, perseverance and (most of all) having fun! Although the theme of the story relates this to art, its message-there’s no such thing as a mistake, just a world of possibilities!- can be applied to anything from maths lessons to riding a bike, from karate to learning to play the piano! ‘The Boy who Painted the World’ is sure to become a firm favourite with teachers, parents and carers as they share its wonderfully positive and empowering message with the children they care for!
The Boy who Painted the World
Tom McLaughlin
OUP ISBN: 978-0192785343
Published 4th July 2024
Sunny Side Up
In this gorgeous picture book, children- and adults!- are encouraged to look on the bright side of life and find the positives in each situation. Using the idea of ‘sunny-side specs’, author, Clare Helen Welsh, offers readers a different way of seeing things- a ‘goodbye’ to one person could be a ‘hello’ to another and a bad mood could easily become a good one. This lovely, simple idea is perfect for encouraging children to develop a sense of having choice in how they react to things and thus a positive impact on the outcome. Schools and families might choose to design and make their own ‘sunny-side specs’ and use these as a reminder when needed. Taking action to make change is also encouraged- families are shown tackling waste in the sea so that they are able to enjoy the water together once it’s cleared- nothing seems impossible when viewed through the sunny-side specs!
However, the book also acknowledges that there are occasions when there isn’t a sunny side, reassuring the reader that it is OK to feel sad at times. I love the line- ‘The more sunny things you find, the sunnier you’ll feel.’- so true and so important to remember and share! It is vital to encourage children (and adults!) to believe that things might not be as bad as they first thought, that with a little bit of ‘reviewing the situation’ they might be able to see things in a more positive light! Clare- one of the happiest, most positive people I have ever had the pleasure to meet- has created a real winner here!
The text is accompanied by Ana Sanfelippo’s wonderful illustrations. Colourful spreads are enhanced by die-cuts and flaps which transform the pictures, just as having a different outlook can transform the world around us. There is plenty to talk about in each picture- perfect for classroom discussions or for sharing at home. This is an inspired- and inspiring- book!
Sunny Side Up
Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo
Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044172
When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left
I love ‘The Dot’, Peter H. Reynolds’s timeless and inspirational story about creativity, perseverance and self-confidence, celebrating ‘Dot Day’ every year. He has written and illustrated many other books, each of which carries a very positive, self-affirming message. They are perfect for using in school- for individual classes, for assemblies, for whole school projects- and each with Reynolds’s wonderful illustrations.
‘When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left’, written by Marc Colagiovanni and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, is an inspirational story about making a choice about how to deal with worries, frustrations, fears and doubts.
The little boy at the heart of the story is faced with a day when nothing is going right. So, he decides to go left- leaving all his worries, doubts, fears and frustrations behind. He perseveres, finds the courage to try again and realises that the more he does this, the more ‘right’ he feels. The wonderfully positive, affirming message is simply, but directly told, perfect for sharing with children and offering strategies for coping with being overwhelmed or overcoming adversity.
Language play, a direct, optimistic tone and lovely artwork make this an appealing text to use with any age group as its message is as relevant to adults as it is to children. The guidance it offers is full of optimism, reminding the reader they have the power to choose to ‘go left’ and ask for help when needed. It is a joyful book- one for sharing again and again.
When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left!
Marc Colagiovanni, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702324765
You can read my review of ‘Our Table’ here , ‘Playing from the Heart’ here and ‘The Word Collector’ here.