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.
Martha Maps It Out
Martha loves making maps! She explores her world by making a series of maps about everything, including her hopes and dreams. Starting with outer space, she zooms in to focus on the earth, her city, her street- all the way to her room!
Bursting with quirky details, the book fizzes with excitement and wonder as Martha shares her maps. Each is fascinating, offering a perfect blend of fact and fiction. Readers are sure to pore over the tiniest details, enjoying the humorous touches whilst being introduced to the world of cartography. Even the idea of scale is introduced as Martha comments how she’s teeny-tiny on some maps whilst bigger on others.
Martha has a real zest for life and her optimism, curiosity and big dreams are sure to inspire readers as they explore her thought map, perhaps encouraging them to make their own with some of the ‘big’ (or not so big!) questions and thoughts which are occupying their minds. Other pages are sure to encourage them to have a go at mapping their own world, adding all the details which are personal and significant to them.
‘Martha Maps It Out’ would make a fantastic book to share with children over the summer holidays when they might be looking at maps of places they are going to visit whether to be a theme park, different country or their own locality. They might enjoy creating their own ‘worlds’ with Lego or their toys and then recording this on a map. Parents might feel inspired to create a treasure hunt, offering their youngsters a map to help them locate a treat! If only my son were little again..!
Martha Maps It Out Leigh Hodgkinson
OUP ISBN: 978-0192777782
Suit Up. Step Up. It’s Time to Become a Hero!
Marvin loves reading about superheroes, but is stunned when his grandad passes on his superhero suit and robot sidekick, telling Marvin the suit is powered by kindness and imagination- two things Marvin has plenty of!
When the school Science Fair is thrown into chaos by a Mastermind supervillain and her giant robot, Marvin must suit up and step up to become the hero of the hour.
‘Marv and the Mega Robot’ is a very engaging and accessible read with plenty of action! Marv doesn’t believe he has what it takes to be a superhero, but as his Grandad says, ‘The sky’s the limit when you just believe in yourself.’ The relationship between them is delightful- warm and supportive- just what Marv needs to build his confidence.
A sweet, good natured boy, Marv is a true friend, making a dream team with his best friend, Joe, as they work together on their science project. As a superhero, Marv is marv-elous and Pixel makes the perfect side kick!
The second book, ‘Marv and the Dino Attack’ is every bit as appealing and engaging as the first. Highly illustrated by the excellent Paula Bowles, they are sure to appeal to those children who enjoying sharing a story with their parents and/or are independent readers, no doubt inspiring them to create their own superhero/ villain figures - perhaps based on themselves! I can see them creating their own ‘Top Trump’ style cards like those shown at the back of these books and using them to play games. The books would work well as guided reading texts, offering much to discuss and enjoy as well as a rich vocabulary to explore. They have a fabulous message at heart about kindness and imagination being what makes a true superhero…something we all need to realise! Brilliant stuff!
I hope there are many more in this series to come!
Marv and the Mega Robot
Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles
OUP ISBN: 978-0192780423
Marv and the Dino Attack
Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles
OUP ISBN: 978-0192780447
The Lights that Dance in the Night
Telling the story of the Northern Lights as they weave their magic across the Artic skies, ‘The Lights that Dance in the Night’ is the perfect story for winter evenings. Although the book’s blurb calls it a ‘wonderfully festive picture book’, it brings light and joy to the long, dark January nights!
The lyrical, descriptive text is a joy to read aloud as it describes the joyous dance of the lights across the sky, uniting all below in wonder and delight as they ‘sashay’ and ‘sway’ in the sky above. As ever with Yuval’s books, the illustrations are stunning; full of colour and detail, they are truly captivating. The cover is a particular joy with touches of sparkle and a textured, tactile surface.
However, as well as being a beautiful story in its own right, canny teachers will instantly recognise the many ways in which this book could be used to enhance other curriculum areas. The ‘purpose of study’ section of the Geography National Curriculum opens with the statement: A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and this ‘The Lights that Dance in the Night’ certainly does that! This is one of those stories which sparks endless questions and lines of enquiry for children of all ages, not only about the formation of the lights themselves, but also the animals and people who inhabit this region.
Storytellers wove our lights
into tales for long, dark nights.
A constant source of wonder and fascination across the years, the northern lights not only feature in traditional tales of the people indigenous to northern lands, but also feature in stories told more recently, like ‘The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’ by Michelle Paver. Yuval’s story could be used to inspire writing poetry or descriptive writing about the lights and his illustrations are sure to tempt children to explore a variety of art techniques.
Sitting perfectly with Yuval’s other books, ‘A Thing Called Snow’ and ‘The Tree That’s Meant to Be’, ‘The Lights that Dance in the Night’ is sure to become a firm favourite.
The Lights that Dance in the Night Yuval Zommer
Oxford University Press ISBN: 978-0192769848