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.

Fiction, Younger Readers, Puffins Sue Wilsher Fiction, Younger Readers, Puffins Sue Wilsher

Call the Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue

On the island of Egg, Tiny is training to be a rescue puffin with his friend, Muffin. But Tiny is really worried as he feels that he is not good enough to be part of the team. With the support of the other puffins, Tiny finds he can rise to any challenge.

This is the second in this lovely series which is perfect for younger readers. Taller than the other puffins with long legs and wings, Tiny is a sweet natured puffin who is keen to do his best and help others, but things always seem to go wrong for him. Children are sure to empathise with Tiny as he gets lost, makes mistakes and is slower than the other puffins- and sure to celebrate with him as he gets the better of the wild cat!

This book- like the first- emphasises the importance of working as part of a team and supporting each other. A little extra help from Flight Officer Faroe makes all the difference to Tiny, helping him gain confidence. There are facts about puffins at the end of the book to encourage children to discover more about these fascinating creatures.

Full of gorgeous illustrations which add much to the story, ‘Tiny’s Brave Rescue’ is a delightful book and the next in the series, ‘Muffin and the Shipwreck’ is coming out next year!

Call the Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue

Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad

Welbeck ISBN: 978-1801300599

You can read more about ‘Call the Puffins!’ here.

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Fiction, Loss, Anxiety, Friendship Sue Wilsher Fiction, Loss, Anxiety, Friendship Sue Wilsher

My Life on Fire

When disaster strikes and Ren’s family lose their home in a fire, they feel lucky to be  alive. But soon, having lost everything and having to live a very different life at her grandmother’s, Ren starts to feel resentful that others have lovely things whilst she and her family have…nothing. Having no one to turn to, Ren starts to collect new things- things which don’t belong to her.

Brimming with positivity and questions, Casper really can’t believe that there is a thief in his class and is sure it must be a mistake. However, when he learns the truth, will he be able to help put things right?

Cath Howe is a superb author who manages to combine excellent writing, gripping plots and engaging characters with challenging storylines which make the reader think. This story is told through the voices of Ren and Casper.

From the outset, Cath develops empathy for Ren and her family. The pain she feels for the loss of her special possessions as well as everyday items which are usually taken for granted is poignantly conveyed as is the contrast between her lovely bedroom and the places she finds herself in. She is constantly conflicted, knowing the family are lucky to be alive and together and yet… Against this, the reader watches, helpless, as Ren finds her own way of coping and things spiral out of control. Cath’s understanding and development of characters is second to none.

Casper is one of those children all teachers instantly recognise. Good hearted, full of enthusiasm and boundless energy, they can sometimes be exhausting, but are the heartbeat of a happy class. He is bewildered by what he discovers- ‘only a bad person would do something like this’- but is positive everything can be made right. His friendship and support are just what Ren needs, helping her to find herself again.

The story never seeks to excuse Ren for what she does, but it opens a door for discussions around the reasons why people might act in certain ways and how they might be supported with this. The impact of her actions on others is also considered. ‘My Life on Fire’ is a powerful, sensitive novel with much to recommend it.

 My Life on Fire Cath Howe

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-18339942839

Published 6th April 2023

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review ‘The Insiders’ here and my Q and A session with Cath here.

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Blog Tour, Puffins, Adventure, Younger Readers Sue Wilsher Blog Tour, Puffins, Adventure, Younger Readers Sue Wilsher

Blog Tour: Call the Puffins

I am a huge fan of Cath Howe’s books for older readers and so was very excited to hear that she had decided to write something for younger children. In ‘Call the Puffins’, Muffin and the other young puffins, live on the island of Egg where they are in training to be an Unflappable, a member of the Puffin Rescue Team. In this stop of the Blog Tour, Cath shares how her ideas came together to create this delightful new series.

Call The Puffins! tells the story of a puffin rescue team, and, in particular, the newest recruits. These puffins rescue birds and eggs wherever they are in danger from their home on the island of Egg. Muffin, the main character in the first story, arrives on the island with her dad to start her training. She’s very enthusiastic but there is so much to learn: she has to settle into life in the burrows where all the puffins live and be away from Mum and Dad for the first time. And will she find a friend?

I started writing about puffins many years ago and reworked the stories during the pandemic when we weren’t able to meet our families. I decided to create a team of birds who really want to help. I thought about organisations like Scouts and Brownies and how they have mottoes and work towards badges. I read about the way people used pigeons in wartime to carry messages. These puffins were one of the cheeriest things in my life, at a difficult time.

Puffins look amazing. They already look like lifeguards. They toddle along as if they're hoping for the best. They have to flap very hard to stay in the air. They are not graceful, more comical. Sometimes they're compared to clowns. I love their spirit.

I liked the idea of a new little team of recruits and their personalities and squabbles, rather like a new class in primary school. There are so many things to get used to: new rules and things to learn, and new friends by your side. When children start school, they love to be given jobs to do and things they can help with. The puffin motto, It may not work, but I'll always try! is full of that positive attitude towards doing new things.

There is an island of Egg in Scotland but it's spelled EIGG. I used to spend my childhood holidays on the West Coast of Scotland, often in a cottage by the sea in Kintyre. I'm very excited by islands and remote locations.

I love beachcombing. We often found semi-precious stones on the beaches in Kintyre and I used to love collecting them and seeing them cut and polished by the lady who rented us the cottage. My puffins make good use of things they find on the beaches. Sometimes, things wash up which they don't recognise or know how to use.

 I’m fascinated by lighthouses: the spiral stairs, the rotating lamp, the beam shining across the sea, stories of rescue and bravery. I wanted the puffins to take over a human lighthouse and use it in a similar way, to spot trouble out at sea and organise rescues. I thought the training camps might be a bit like PE lessons.

I tried to include lots of real details about real puffins because these details are rather amazing. Puffins do sleep in burrows. The noise they make is halfway between a honk and a groan or growl. When I discovered that their beaks can glow in the dark, I couldn't believe it- it seemed like magic!

The puffins are a side of me, I think. There's been a lot of joy creating these stories and I hope it communicates itself to the readers.

Call the Puffins Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad

Welbeck Flame ISBN: 978-1801300360

Many thanks to Cath for joining me today- and thanks to the team at Welbeck for the box of goodies! I am not prepared to use the post-it notes- too lovely! I look forward to see what the Puffin Rescue Team get up to in their next adventure.

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Fiction Sue Wilsher Fiction Sue Wilsher

The Insiders

Callie, Nico, Ted and Zara are really close friends. Ted lives next door to Callie whose mum looks after him and the others after school. However, since an embarrassing incident at school, Ted has become quieter than ever, withdrawing from the group. When they notice a light on in school after hours, Callie, Nico and Zara decide to investigate. Watching from his garden, Ted can’t believe his friends have not included him…

Cath Howe is an outstanding author whose books are so easy to read whilst sensitively exploring the feelings and worries of her characters. Each of her books to date has been a brilliant read and ‘The Insiders’ is no exception.

The story is told from the viewpoint of Callie, Ted and one of their classmates, Billy, who was responsible for Ted’s embarrassment. Through their eyes, the reader sees how easily things can be misinterpreted or misunderstood and the dangers of bottling feelings up and keeping them inside. There are many points in the story where an apology, persisting with a friend when they need support or seeking help might have helped things turn out differently.

For a teacher, there are some very uncomfortable moments in this story. The bullying Mr Dunlop is of a breed I had hoped had died out and surely someone in school should have picked up that something was not quite right with Billy’s situation, but this in itself raises much to discuss and explore.

The story also reminds the reader that you never really know what is going on in someone else’s life. With a class, there are many opportunities for role play and hot-seating activities, allowing children to explore different perspectives and consider how different characters were feeling, why they acted as they did and so on. This could be further explored through writing poems capturing those emotions or perhaps paintings to express their feelings.

Another not-to-be-missed gem from Cath Howe!

The Insiders Cath Howe

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788006125

Out 5th May 2022

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