A Boy Called Book

When a baby boy is born, his mother decides to call him Book because his life is a story and he can write it however he wants. As time passes, he learns that he has many stories to tell – an adventure story, a funny story, a boring story. As time passes, he realises that life isn’t a book, but a library, full of stories of the past, present and future.

Some books just resonate with you, capturing how you feel, or how you would like to have expressed something, perfectly. ‘A Boy Called Book’ is a joyful celebration of the importance of stories, how they can comfort us, shape us and inspire us.

Not all stories are happy and when Book and his family are confronted by grief, it is a special, hand made book by a friend which brings him some comfort. The family photo album is another book which helps the family cope with their sadness. I love the way this story values all kinds of books and the many ways in which they colour our lives. The story could easily be used to develop children’s understanding of different genres, perhaps encouraging them to investigate a wider range of reading matter, but for me, one of its many strengths is that it helps to identify and validate the many emotions and moods we all have.

The illustrations are wonderful. They are at times humorous, at times poignant, but always bursting with detail, energy and warmth. I really want a patchwork reading chair like the one Book is sitting on at the very beginning of the book! Book’s best friend is shown as having vitiligo, something I can’t recall having seen before in a children’s book. The joy of their friendship is what is central to the story, yet this inclusion is perfect for sparking sensitive discussions about this condition.

‘A Boy Called Book’ ends in such a wonderfully positive way, looking to the future and all the blank pages/ chapters/ books yet to be written and added to Book’s library, making the story a brilliantly up-lifting read.

 A Boy Called Book

Vincent Ralph, illustrated by Aaron Cushley

Scholastic    ISBN: 978-0702324864

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

I Love You More

As mum settles Rae down at bedtime, she tries to tell her just how much she loves her- more than tiny tree frogs love to leap, more than penguins love waddling in the snow, more than dolphins love the boundless sea- more than words can say.

Gorgeous illustrations and beautiful lyrical text combine to make a wonderful snuggle-up story to share with the ones you love. A joy to read aloud, the gentle rhyme follows a comforting pattern which children will quickly be able to join in with- and enjoy creating their own images to express their feelings. It offers the reassurance of unconditional, never-ending love from adult to child- but with Rae getting the last word!

There is a dream-like quality to the illustrations yet these lovely images are sure to inspire children to find out more about the creatures they show.

‘Guess How Much I Love You’ was one of my son’s favourite books when he was little and ‘I Love You More’ offers readers the same cosy feeling, the same sense of shared love, the same precious memories that I will never forget from our bedtime- or anytime- stories. Another winner, Clare- congratulations!

I Love You More

Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839944192

You can read my review of ‘Sunny Side Up’ here and ‘Never Ever Ever Ask a Pirate to a Party’ here.

One Little Word

After a quarrel in the playground between two friends, the Argument appears. This lurid purple and orange depiction of their disagreement thrives on the ill-feelings in the air, swelling with each nasty word, look or deed. It forces its way between them and all the children in the playground start to take sides. Tension mounts until each mutters ‘sorry’ and with that little word, the Argument starts to shrink and harmony is restored once more.

This is one of those books which are just invaluable for helping children to explore and understand their emotions. Joseph Coelho has perfectly captured how something trivial between friends can escalate into a major issue. No blame is attached to either party, allowing the reader to consider both points of view, making it the perfect starting point for role play, hot seating and drama work. The Argument is seen as the issue here, blocking their friendship, getting in the way of their games, growing as time passes- giving visual representation to the atmosphere which this sort of falling out creates.

Words and pictures really do work completely in harmony in this lovely book. The frustration the children feel, the glee on the growing Argument’s face and then the contrition and relief experienced by the children as they utter that one little word, ‘sorry’, and their friendship blossoms once more are all beautifully captured. This is a book that would work well at home - perhaps to discuss quarrels between siblings- or at school- to defuse and explore playground incidents. I would happily use this with any age group and can think of many occasions with my Year 6’s where it would have been invaluable.

Gorgeous illustrations and soft words of wisdom- an excellent, much needed book!

One Little Word

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711279094

You can read my review of ‘My Beautiful Voice’ here.

A Star for Mama

Kip the baby penguin loves his mama very much. Whilst gazing at the night sky, Mama comments on the beauty of the stars and Kip has the idea of trying to catch a shooting star for her and sets off on an adventure…

What’s not to love about this sweet story! Celebrating the bond between mother and child, it shows the pleasure of spending time together and enjoying the little things in life. It is perfect for snuggling down together and sharing!

Kip’s love for his mother makes him want to do something really special for her, setting him off on his adventure. He is completely focused on his quest, failing to notice the dangers which readers will instantly spot as Kathy Creamer’s illustrations offer another layer to the story. The reassuring presence of the big grey dog prevents any really worries for Kip’s safety, despite the appearance of the hungry looking fox and the driving rain. I love the penultimate picture where mother and baby are sheltered by the dog under a sky filled with Northern Lights whilst the disgruntled fox scuttles off to look for food elsewhere. Children are sure to love to story of the crab who finds the net on the end papers only to have it whisked away by Kip, but who has gained possession of his prize once more on the final endpaper. There is plenty to discuss in this gentle story and plenty to enjoy.

At the end of the book, there is a section of penguin facts, allowing children to discover more about these fascinating creatures. Kip and the other penguins are shown living in what I assume are artificial nests, again opening possibilities for discussion and discovery.

A Star for Mama

Ashling Kwok, illustrated by Kathy Creamer

Little Pink Dog Books ISBN: 978-0648964131

Lizzy and the Cloud

I make no secret of the fact that I love the Fan Brothers’ books and share them with children (and adults!) at every opportunity. Each book is a complete delight, offering so much to explore and enjoy, meaning that I am never sure which one is my favourite!

Although clouds are a bit out of fashion, Lizzy chooses one from the cloud seller on a visit to the park with her parents. These come in many shapes and sizes, but Lizzie selects an ordinary one and calls it Milo. Having read the care instructions, Lizzie does her best to look after her cloud, but as he grows, she realises that she must let him go.

The illustrations are an absolute joy! Many of the pictures are in shades of grey with highlights of bright yellow whilst others are full of colour. There are so many details to notice (Which doors might the ‘keys for unknown doors’ open?) and so much to discuss on every spread, with plenty of opportunities for readers to develop their own stories as they read. There are many ways this book could be used in school as there are many places to pause, reflect and discuss, leading to role play, drama and a wide range of writing opportunities. The instructions for ‘Cloud Care’ and the possibilities for designing and drawing their own cloud companions offer endless fun and creative work.

Lizzy cares so much for Milo that, in the end, she realises that she must do the right thing for him, regardless of how she feels. She loves him so much that she jots an additional instruction to the ‘Caring for Your Cloud’ sheet- ‘Let your cloud float free’. Clouds should not be confined to small spaces, we are told, and this might offer a useful starting point for some difficult discussions about friendships, for example.

The book is an absolute joy from beginning to end with a timeless feel and wide appeal. It is one to be enjoyed again and again…and again!

Lizzy and the Cloud The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711275928

You can read my review of ‘It Fell from the Sky’ here, ‘The Barnabus Project’ here and ‘Ocean Meets Sky’ here.