NNFN2024: Insectarium

The latest addition to the ‘Welcome to the Museum’ books, ‘Insectarium’, does not disappoint fans of this incredible series. Like the others, it is beautifully presented, allowing readers to explore the fascinating world of insects in detail and at their leisure.

Moving from Gallery to Gallery, every page is a celebration of ‘the most beautiful, fascinating and peculiar insects’, from their evolution to the need to protect and care for them today. The large format encourages readers to share these books and I have often seen children lying on the floor, grouped around books in this series, completely immersed in poring over every detail of the pictures and exploring the text. Offering a quality reading experience from the quality of the paper to the detail of the illustrations, children recognise and enjoy these books for what they are- something special!

I am not a fan of the term ‘gift book’ as I believe every book is a gift, but for both adults and children, ‘Insectarium’ is a book which will be treasured and returned to again and again!

Welcome to the Museum: Insectarium

curated by Emily Carter and Dave Goulson

Big Picture Press and the Royal Entomological Society ISBN: 978-1800782563

Beautiful: A Celebration of Evolution

Illustrated throughout with stunning watercolours, ‘Beautiful’ is a very special book. The author sets out to show that ‘in nature, the word ugly simply does not apply’ as adaptation and evolution have have created incredible, unique creatures, each of which is beautiful.

A wonderful array of creatures are presented in alphabetical order, starting with the Aldabra Giant Tortoise and ending with the Wild Boar. Some of these entries are not the typical ‘cute and cuddly’ animals often featured in books, but each is held up as something to be admired and appreciated by the author.

Each spread offers beautiful illustrations, its binomial nomenclature and a wealth of information. Not only is the creature described, but details about how it has adapted are given. The Indian pangolin’s tongue, for example, has evolved to be longer than the creatures head and body combined and is connected to the bottom of the ribcage. The shoebill has adapted to survive in the dangerous swamps of easter Africa; a very aggressive creature, it uses its huge beak with a hooked end for spearing its prey. One of my favourite animals, the duck-billed platypus, can detect its prey through picking up tiny electric pulses from other animals, using special nerve cells in its bill. Sadly, the author notes where these creatures are endangered or their at risk from climate change and habitat destruction.

Completely fascinating, this book would add much to the knowledge and understanding of those studying evolution and adaptation as part of the Science Curriculum both in Y6 and in KS3. Each entry supports the statement: ‘Pupils should be taught to identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution’ in a meaningful and engaging way, whilst developing a respect for, and understanding of, these incredible creatures.

A very special, very beautiful book!

Beautiful: A Celebration of Evolution

William Spring

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800786165

Published 1st August 2024

NNFN2023: Human 2.0

Day three of National Non-Fiction November 2023!

Celebrating the almost unbelievable achievements which have been made in medical engineering, ‘Human 2.0’ is a completely fascinating read! It presents this complex subject clearly, from the first prostheses to future possibilities.

The developments are interspersed with the real-life stories of people who have benefitted from them. Claire Lomas, foe example, became the first person to finish the London Marathon using a ReWalk exoskeleton whereas Keith Hayman became one of the first people in the UK to receive the Argus II Bionic Eye. Each development is clearly described with technical vocabulary carefully explained. But the book also poses the question, ‘How far are we willing to go?’, considering the risks and rewards as technology moves ever onwards.

Author, Patrick Kane, is a triple amputee and became the youngest person to be fitted with a bionic arm. He has created an absorbing text, enlightening readers on this topic and no doubt inspiring them to find out more and perhaps to investigate a career in this field. Attractive illustrations add to the book’s appeal, making it a book which will be returned to and re-read!

Human 2.0

Patrick Kane, illustrated by Samuel Rodriguez

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800781689

Pause for Poetry: The Wild Verses

‘The Wild Verses’ is a lovely collection of verse, offering comfort and calm as it explores a whole range of emotions and feelings. Each verse is accompanied by Sarah Maycock’s stunning illustrations of animals and birds, making the book a visual treat as well.

The poems are grouped into sections- Joy, Hard Times, Family, Strength and Love- enabling the reader to choose verse to match their mood or to browse and select at random. The title page of each section offers a quote from a famous writer- John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Louise May Alcott- whose wise words set the tone for the poems which follow. In her introduction, Helen Mort explains that the reader will find ‘a different mind-landscape for every mood’ in this collection with art and language combining as an ‘invitation to stand back for a moment’. There are so many poems to enjoy, to reflect upon and to linger over here, offering those ‘still moments’ which we all deserve.

It is always a challenge to select a few favourites to comment on from a collection! Different poems appeal at different times and to different moods, but one of my best loved has to be ‘Duo’ with its gorgeous illustration of a bear and a giraffe. Another is ‘The Painter’ which I think would be brilliant to use as a model with children for creating their own versions as well as for the beauty of the thought it captures!

Subtitled ‘Nature poems on love, hope and healing’, ‘The Wild Verses’ is a collection to savour, to meditate with, to muse on. The book concludes with tips on how to be more mindful which many readers may find useful and seek to incorporate these wonderful words and pictures into their well-being moments.

The Wild Verses Helen Mort, illustrated by Sarah Maycock

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800784765

You can read my review of ‘Love is…’ and ‘Sometimes I Feel…’ both by Sarah Maycock here.

Take a Bite

Full of fascinating facts and recipes from around the world, ‘Take a Bite’ is all about food, glorious food! The Mizielinskis visit twenty-six different countries, exploring global food and cultural traditions. A map on the endpapers identifies the places which the book visits taking the reader from the first wheat fields to the space age meals astronauts eat. The following index introduces the recipes which can be found throughout the book, offering plenty of treats to try and enjoy!

The book starts with Turkey, the ‘crossroads of culture’, discussing the importance of its location for, including other things, the combining of the customs and cuisines of many nations. Here, readers are encouraged to make ‘imam bayildi’ whose name literally translates to mean ‘the imam fainted’. Further on in the book, a visit to Japan discusses the ingenuity of Japanese chefs who used a few local ingredients to create dishes which are both beautiful and delicious whilst the stop in America shows how their food reflects the great diversity of its people- bagels invented by Polish Jews, donuts based on Dutch olykoeks, popcorn inspired by the native inhabitants of North and South America.

The book includes recipes which appeal to those with a sweet tooth as well as those which are savoury. Melomakarona are honey biscuits served in Greece at Christmas and honey gingerbread is a spiced treat from Poland. Pastries from France will come as no surprise and the book offers recipes for both mille-feuille and croissants.

In addition to all the recipes, there is a wealth of information on every page, making this book perfect for dipping in and out of or for focusing on a particular place or culture. It would be an excellent introduction to a country’s cuisine before a holiday or offer an opportunity to try something from a country or culture being studied. It is a fascinating read, including timelines and a comprehensive index to help readers locate information if required.

Take A Bite: Eat Your Way Around the World

Aleksandra Mizielinska, Daniel Mizielinski and Natalia Branowska

Translated by Agnes Monod-Gayraud

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800782884

What Do You See When You Look at a Tree?

What do you see when you look at a tree?

Leaves and twigs and branches?

Or do you see a living thing

that moves and breathes and dances?

In this lovely, large format book, author and illustrator, Emma Carlisle, urges the reader to reconnect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the trees around us. Through simple questions, the gentle rhyming text explores how unique trees are and the important role they play in nature.

The final pages offer further information about trees and how they communicate with each other, developing the reader’s understanding of these incredible plants. There are also mindfulness tips which show how we can learn from trees to look after ourselves and each others.

Every spread is beautifully illustrated, using soft, calming colours and they are perfect for exploring alongside the thoughtful questions posed by the text. The book is published in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and the Palm House features in one of the pictures, perfect for introducing children to this historic place. The book is perfect for starting conversations about the wonder of trees whether at home or at school.

What Do You See When You Look at a Tree?

written and illustrated by Emma Carlisle

Big Picture Press with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

ISBN: 978- 1800781276

‘Love is…’ and ‘Sometimes I Feel…’

Stunning illustrations and beautiful text combine to make these very special books. ‘Sometimes I Feel…’ offers reflection on many different emotions whilst ‘Love is…’ celebrates love in all its forms.

With its lavish illustrations and thoughtful text, ‘Love is…’ reflects on the enduring, powerful nature of that emotion and how it affects us all. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this would make a beautiful gift for the special someone in your life!

However, the book also explores love between siblings and across generations. It reminds us that, although love is being together, having time alone to be and express yourself is also important.

For with love…

we can do anything.

Equally relevant to adults and children, ‘Sometimes I feel…’ explores feelings through a collection of animal similes. Each simile is followed with a further thought, deepening understanding of that emotion and offering the perfect starting point for discussions. Each spread can help children not only with understanding their own feelings, but also for developing empathy with others. For example, the simile ‘…as big as a bear’ is followed with the reflection that there will always by those bigger who will sometimes make you feel small. My favourite is that although we might feel ‘curious as a cat’, it is impossible to know everything and sometimes our minds need a rest. The illustrations are stunning - each one worthy of framing- and capture the sentiment of the text beautifully.

Children could illustrate their own similes and add their thoughts to these, creating a class book based on the original. For teachers, different spreads could be used as a basis for PSHE sessions, developing discussions and encouraging children to consider different viewpoints.

These are books to treasure!

Love is… A Celebration of Love in All its Forms Sarah Maycock

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1787418745

Sometimes I Feel… A Menagerie of Feelings Big and Small Sarah Maycock

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800781283