Victor the wolf with worries

Victor worries a lot. He worries that he isn’t brave enough, big enough or wolfish enough. He tries to pretend that he’s all of these things- but then worries other might expect him to do the things which he is too worried to do. Luckily, his best friend, Pablo is on hand to offer some good advice and Victor’s worries start to recede and then Pablo confides that he (Pablo) had been worried about all the same things.

Wonderfully warm and reassuring, ‘Victor the wolf with worries’ is perfect for sharing with little ones who are struggling to cope with their feelings. Not only does Pablo help Victor understand that worrying is perfectly normal and something which everyone does, he also offers some excellent advice and strategies for dealing with these feelings. The book offers an excellent starting point for grown-ups for encouraging little ones to explore their emotions and find ways of dealing with them.

The illustrations are everything you would expect from Catherine Rayner. Victor has the most gorgeous little face with wonderfully expressive eyes, allowing the reader to really empathise with him- again, perfect for encouraging discussions about feelings. I am always stunned by Catherine’s artwork- every spread is a masterpiece!

Victor the Wolf with Worries

Catherine Rayner

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529051285

Protecting the Planet: Emperor of the Ice

This beautiful book tells of a year in the life of the Emperor penguin, highlighting the dangers that they face both due to the harsh climate they live in and to the effects of climate change. A forward by Dr Phil Trathan sets the scene, explaining the role played by satellites in helping to tell their story and the book closes with two pages of information about Emperor Penguins, climate change and what can be done to help.

The book is beautifully written, full of rich imagery, with the lines of penguins and their shadows making their way across the ice described as ‘like spidery writing across a blank page’. From reaching the ice at Halley Bay, the perfect location to breed, and finding a mate, laying a single egg and the Empress making her treacherous journey to the sea and back, the text outlines the vulnerability of these creatures and the fragility of both their lives and the new one they have created. Nicola Davies does not shy away from the harsh realities, but offers these honestly as an essential part of the story she is telling. Although she describes ‘a good year for this colony’, the book ends with a reminder of the fragility of the penguins existence.

Catherine Rayner’s stunning illustrations make the perfect accompaniment to the words, making this a very attractive and appealing book. This would be an engaging and accessible text for Guided Reading, offering much to explore and investigate as well as being a book which is sure to be taken from shelves by individuals to be devoured with great pleasure. This is a special book.

Protecting the Planet: Emperor of the Ice

Nicola Davies, illustrated by Catherine Rayner

Walker ISBN: 978-1406397086

Five Bears

Whilst on a walk through the forest, Bear meets another bear. Other Bear is different, but says hello and the two bears wander along together at different paces, thinking their own thoughts when they meet a new bear. Grunty Bear joins the other two as they continue on their way. Next they meet Very Big Bear who decides the others are friendly and feeling a little lonely, decides to follow along. When they meet Stuck Bear, the four bears work together to help and decide that although they are very different, they can all be friends.

There is something instantly appealing about a book with bears in it! In this story, there are five very different bears and Catherine Rayner’s stunning illustrations capture the individuality of each perfectly. But this is not your usual bear story!

As each bear meets the next, their reactions are awkward, suspicious and even hostile. Apart from ‘Very Big Bear’, no description is offered in the text, but the illustrations clearly show their physical differences. The First Bear- ‘a very nice bear by all accounts, but a bear all the same’- is instantly on the defensive when he meets Other Bear. He speaks ‘suspiciously’ and ‘warily’ although Other Bear offers a ‘How do you do?’ and ‘Have a nice day!’. These pleasantries disarm First Bear who decides to follow Other Bear and the two wander on together. Perfect for using with any age group, the story encourages discussions about how we perceive difference as well as considering how to respond in social situations. The apparent simplicity and repetition of the story belie the importance of the story as a starting point for conversations about inclusivity, individuality, initial actions and reactions and friendship. The bears are also gender neutral.

In addition to this, the carefully researched illustrations are perfect for inspiring children to find out more about the different types of bears in the world.

Can’t recommend this one highly enough!

Five Bears Catherine Rayner

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529051278

You can read my review of ‘Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep’ here.