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.
Book Tour: Freedom Braids
Today, I am bringing the Book Tour for ‘Freedom Braids’ to its conclusion. With October being Black History Month in the UK, this is a perfect book for starting conversations and celebrating the role played by courageous women.
Although a fictional story, ‘Freedom Braids’ was inspired by historical events. Nemy toils in the fields every day, working on a plantation in Columbia. One night, she follows Big Mother, one of the older slaves, and watches as she and the other women braid their hair. But these braids contain hidden messages, signalling the slaves’ intention to escape and offering guidance which leads them to freedom.
Lantana always produce beautiful, thoughtful books and this is no exception. On one level, it teaches readers about the importance, and significance, of braided hairstyles in the fight for freedom, but it is also celebrates the ingenuity, resilience and nurturing shared by women in these awful circumstances. The connection they feel as they share the collective experience of separating ‘sections of hair, just like their mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers and ancestors had done’ is beautifully captured, a really poignant moment in a poignant story. It is a powerful, emotive read and one which will lead to many discussions- not just for Black History Month, but at any time!
A note by the author at the end of the book offers additional information about ‘these cornrowed maps’ and the illustrator’s wonderful artwork shows named examples on the endpapers. The illustrations throughout are really evocative and well worth lingering over. The cover image is stunning- the golden glow hinting at the freedom referred to in the title.
‘Freedom Braids’ will be out in all good UK bookshops on October 3rd and I recommend you order a copy now!
Freedom Braids
Monique Duncan, illustrated by Oboh Moses
Lantana ISBN: 978-1915244802
Many thanks to the lovely Katrina and Lantana for inviting me to take part today!
Blog Tour: Step into my Shoes
Today, I am very happy to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘Step into my Shoes’, a lovely picture book from Lantana, which paves the way for plenty of discussion!
Matou lives just outside Paris, in a place she dismissively thinks no one has ever heard of. Now that her mum works in the city, she walks to and from school by herself. One Friday, having been let out of school early, as she passes the mosque, she notices a ‘sea of shoes’, including a pair of sports shoes with orange laces. Tempted by the fact they are nearly her size, she tries them on. Having returned them, she notices the boy the shoes belong to and concludes the shoes are pristine because he doesn’t walk much. From then on, Matou regularly tries on different shoes outside the mosque and ponders on the lives of their owners until one day, excited by the fact that her mother will be home early, she goes straight home…only to become upset as her mother arrives late. But when she steps into her mother’s shoes, she gains a new perspective, learning what it truly means to ‘step into someone’s shoes’.
‘Step into my Shoes’ is a wonderful story for developing empathy and compassion. Matou literally explores the expression ‘to step into someone else’s shoes’, initially as a way of entertaining herself on her journey home, but ultimately coming to understand her mother better. Children will really relate to her curiosity as she wonders about all the footwear left outside the mosque as those inside pray. Initially, for those unfamiliar with this custom, there will be conversations about this practice, offering opportunities to deepen understanding - and make links with other religions and cultural traditions.
But the real joy of the story is that it encourages readers to pause and think - no matter how frustrated, angry or upset- that misunderstandings can be seen from another perspective and that ‘stepping into someone else’s shoes’ allows us to understand them better, an important lesson which many adults could do with learning! The illustrations add much to the text, making it easy for children to choose different pairs of shoes and explore their ideas about the owners and to pause and consider Matou’s feelings at different points in the story. Interest in France might also be piqued by various details in the pictures- the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, the pyramid of the Louvre, signs for the Metro, the shop names, Lautrec’s Black Cat, the Mona Lisa- there is much to explore!
A lovely book to spend time with!
Step into my Shoes
Alkisti Halikia, translated by Konstantine Matsoukas, illustrated by Fotini Tikkou
Lantana ISBN: 978-1915244956
The Invisible Story
In a library filled with famous tales and beautiful pictures, a little story watches quietly as they argue over who is the most read, the most popular and best loved. Overlooked by readers visiting the library, it feels invisible and ghostly. However, one day, a young girl finds the book, a reader who is different and explores the story with her fingers, revealing the pages are covered in tiny raised bumps- a wonderful story to be read with the fingertips, not the eyes.
‘The Invisible Story’ is a stunning book, celebrating the importance of braille and that all stories, however told, are valuable, no one being better than another. The author’s note at the end of the book explains how braille was developed and how it is used to convey stories in over 130 languages all over the world, developing the reader’s understanding of both its history and its importance and making it an excellent book for both home and school.
The illustrations are incredible. Beautiful white papercuts are used to show the library and its readers whilst torn, coloured paper is used to show the imaginative content of the books escaping their boundaries. The simplicity of the white emphasises the little story’s feeling that it is a ghost and invisible to readers. They are sure to inspire children to create their own papercut pictures, perhaps to illustrate stories of their own.
Perfect for using as a starting point for developing empathy and understanding as well as learning more about braille and its importance, ‘The Invisible Story’ is a real gem.
The Invisible Story
Jaime Gamboa and Wen Hsu Chen, translated by Daniel Han
Lantana ISBN: 978-1915244765
Dearest One
Imagine the words your grandmother might say if she wrote you a letter…
Full of positive, loving words of comfort and advice, ‘Dearest One’ is such a special book. Each spread offers a gem of wisdom -dare to smile…choose your path…remember who you are- and then expands on this.
Every section is accompanied by a vibrant illustration, reflecting the meaning of the words. As each is shared, there is much to discuss and explore whatever the age of the child to help them navigate the pleasures and sorrows life offers. There is a real sense of the healing power of love in this shared wisdom which is both uplifting and soothing.
Children might also enjoy creating their own illustrations for each sentiment or creating their own book with an adult using pieces of advice they choose together. Some might also be inspired to discover who their ancestors are and find out more about family stories and traditions.
Another gem from Lantana!
Dearest One Arielle Dance, illustrated by Jenny Duke
Lantana ISBN: 978-1913747800
Rainbow Hands
As the days stretch on and on, a little boy looks forward to his favourite time- painting-my-nails-time. In his Ma’s magical bottles, there is a shade of varnish for every mood and feeling. He knows purple is the colour of mystery whilst white is the colour of infinite possibilities. At times, his Papa frowns and asks why he can’t paint on paper instead, but the little boy knows it makes his hands look beautiful.
When my son was little, he used to love to paint my nails, creating a rainbow of colour on each hand. And sometimes, he would ask for his nails to be painted too, carefully choosing which shades to use. These were moments of great joy, as he focused so hard on keep the polish on my nails, laughing and chatting as he painted.
‘Rainbow Hands’ celebrates exploring who you are and having the courage to express yourself. Although his father sometimes questions the little boy’s colourful nails, there is a great sense of love from his family. You are my colourful child who I know will shine bright… says his grandfather and there is joy as he explores all the emotions and colours of the rainbow!
The story offers the perfect opportunity for discussing how we link colours with different emotions as well as for challenging stereotypical notions about who should or should not wear nail varnish. Jo Loring-Fisher’s illustrations are simply delightful, conveying a wide range of emotions and capturing the love and joy of the family.
A delightful book, made for sharing!
Rainbow Hands Mamta Nainy, illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher
Lantana ISBN: 978-1913747831