Blog Tour: Whisper to the Rescue

I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘Whisper to the Rescue’ today.

Whisper is the smallest, quietest dragon on the mountainside and although he notices everything, his family don’t seem to notice him. He sees how they are damaging the environment, making it unsafe and unpleasant for the other creatures who live there, but he cannot make his family listen. however, with a little help from his friends, Whisper finds a way.

Brave and determined, little Whisper is sure to find a place in readers’ hearts. Proving that the quietest amongst us are often those who notice things which pass others by, this lovely story shows how perseverance, teamwork and taking a new approach can solve seemingly impossible problems. Many children will empathise with Whisper’s feelings of not being listened to, but will take courage from the creative solution he and his friends come up with.

There is also an environmental message here with children trying to make their elders recognise the damage which they are inflicting on the planet and change their ways. The story is perfect for encouraging discussions and making children feel as if they can be heard. This gentle story has real strength at its heart.

Whisper to the Rescue

Rose Robbins

Scallywag Press ISBN: 978- 1915252203

Fallout

Marcus is a Pritchard. His name marks him out as a troublemaker, a ‘bad lot’, not to be trusted. Labelled by teachers and the rest of the village alike, he feels trapped and that he may as well act as others expect him to. His life at home is also troubled. with Carl, the brother he is close to, is in Borstal, Marcus is subjected to constant bullying from his other brother, Gavin, who is his mother’s favourite and indifferent, judgemental treatment from his parents, who expect him to be part of the family ‘business’. Having fallen out with his best friend, Jezza, Marcus is very alone.

However, things start to change when he is treated with kindness by Mick, an elderly neighbour, who listens to Marcus and sees beyond the Pritchard name. Marcus also makes friends with Emma, part of the local peace protest group, and gradually finds himself responding positively to their belief in him.

When tragedy strikes at the local carnival, Marcus is once again the focus of suspicion and negative attention with only Emma believing in his innocence and working with him to clear his name.

Once again, Lesley Parr has delivered a story full of heart and hope. There is so much to recommend this wonderful story.

It’s a bit of a shock to see something set in the 80s considered ‘historical fiction’ as to me that period does not seem that long ago, but the story vividly captures the clothing, the music and the mood of the period. The village is a tight-knit Welsh community where everyone knows everyone else-and quickly judges them.

There are children like Marcus in every school and community. Haunted by their family reputation, they are marked out as troublemakers, often assumed to be responsible for issues before any investigation has taken place. It’s no wonder that they find themselves in a self-fulfilling prophecy. Through Marcus’s eyes and experiences, the reader develops great empathy for his situation, willing him to clear his name and escape the life he is being forced to endure. Lesley Parr’s characterisation is second to none as she captures Marcus’s sense of frustration and fatality perfectly. Other characters are equally well developed. Mick- considered an oddball by the community- is also an outsider, who is both patient and understanding, recognising Marcus’s need for an escape from his family and encouraging him to develop skills he didn’t know he had.

‘Fallout’ is a truly exceptional story, with its very title reflecting how cleverly its many elements are woven together. Poignant, thought-provoking, compassionate and compelling, there are not enough adjectives to convey just how much I enjoyed it! One to put at the top of your TBR pile!

Fallout

Lesley Parr

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526648013

Published 18th July 2024

Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure

Watts comes from a family of great detectives, but he is not sure he has what it takes to be one. So when his parents head off on their next case, he goes to stay with an old client of theirs at Whiskerton Manor. Here, he meets Pearl, Count Whiskerton’s daughter, a very curious kitten who really wants to be a detective. When strange things start happening in the Manor grounds, Pearl persuades Watts to investigate…

Proving that opposites attract, Watts and Pearl make the purrr-fect team! This is a delightful story, full of lovely illustrations, gentle humour and a brilliant mystery to solve!

Watts is such a sweet character. Thoughtful and steady, but somewhat lacking in confidence, he believes that he will never be as good at solving mysteries as his parents. However, his new friendship with bubbly, talkative, impetuous Pearl helps him to realise that he is a skilful detective in his own right! So many of us can feel overshadowed by the achievements of others, but like Watts can find our own way in life and come to appreciate the skills we do have!

The story is really carefully plotted and Watts’ notes will help readers to follow each stage of the investigation as it unfolds. A perfect balance of text, illustrations, comic strip, labels and speech bubbles makes this an incredibly appealing book for younger readers, as engaging for those reluctant to read as much as those who devour books! There are many jokes to enjoy- for adults as well as for children- with plays on words like Dr Arty Fact and plenty of visual jokes in the pictures! I particularly like the fact that vocabulary like ‘archaeologist’ is also explained in the context of the story- and readers are given a little insight into how archaeologists work!

Both at home and at school, the book could be used as a starting point for many enjoyable activities. The little finger puppets (pictured above) help to make the story even more interactive as readers can act things out as it progresses or create their own little plays and mysteries and perhaps put on performances! Sections in the story where speech bubbles have been used are perfect for teachers to use to support their teaching of speech punctuation as well as developing speech clauses, drawing on the wonderfully detailed visual clues the pictures give to add the characters’ feelings/ actions. The book would also make the most wonderful prompt for a book group or library session, encouraging children to solve a mystery by following clues- or one which encourages children to create their own comic strips perhaps!

I love Meg McLaren’s picture books (The Station Mouse is my favourite!) and am delighted to discover that her talent for creating endearing characters through gorgeous illustrations and engaging storylines will support children in the next stage of reading. I can’t wait for the next case for Watts and Whiskerton!

Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure

Meg McLaren

Piccadilly ISBN: 978: 1800786592

The Boy who Painted the World

Once, a boy found a blank book. Stumbling inside, he soon made a mess- but a friendly paint brush helped him to see that he could transform the splodges into…a messy-a-saurus, wobbly squares into… robots, and circ-angles into…birds! All the boy’s ‘mistakes’ turned into amazing pictures as he and the paint brush mixed a little confidence with a lot of imagination to prove that mistakes open a world of possibilities!

What a brilliant book! Faced with a world which demands a very limited view of ‘perfection’ at every turn, we need more and more books like this which encourage creativity and exploration and show that ‘mistakes’ are merely happy accidents or starting points.

Whatever his previous experiences, the little boy in the story has obviously been left feeling that he is no good at art. ‘I always make a big mess,’ he says apologetically to the paint brush, ‘I’m not very neat.’ Whether he has been told directly or he has gleaned it from comments about his or others’ work, he has learned that neatness and careful lines are things which make an artist and that his work falls short. However, with paint brush’s guidance, he starts to enjoy himself, not worrying about how ‘perfect’ his work is, but relishing the fact that it is fun! Isn’t this what art - or any hobby-should be all about?

Offering a wonderful starting point for creative projects- suggestions for some projects are included at the end- the book also allows for discussions about the importance of having a go, perseverance and (most of all) having fun! Although the theme of the story relates this to art, its message-there’s no such thing as a mistake, just a world of possibilities!- can be applied to anything from maths lessons to riding a bike, from karate to learning to play the piano! ‘The Boy who Painted the World’ is sure to become a firm favourite with teachers, parents and carers as they share its wonderfully positive and empowering message with the children they care for!

The Boy who Painted the World

Tom McLaughlin

OUP ISBN: 978-0192785343

Published 4th July 2024

Moon Bear

Every night, when mummy calls it’s time for bed, Ettie goes through her bedtime routine, enjoying a bath and story time. But then the light goes out, leaving Ettie hunched under the bedclothes with her torch switched on because she is afraid of the dark. But, one night, the moon’s shimmering lights streams through a crack in the curtains. Curious, Ettie reaches out to touch it and is amazed to find that it responds to her touch. Dancing round the round, ‘painting’ in the air with the light, Ettie notices the moon smiling down at her. She joins the dots of the stars to create a bear who bursts into life and the two play together. When Ettie learns that the moon bear is afraid of light, just as she (Ettie) is afraid of the dark, they help each other to overcome their fears.

I love a wordless picture book and the wonderful reading adventure they offer children who can create, embellish, alter and retell the story every time they open the book. ‘Moon Bear’ is almost wordless- the phrase ‘Time for bed, Ettie’ at the beginning transforms to ‘Time for bed, mummy’ at the end, emphasising the change in Ettie’s feelings for the dark- but other than this, the reader is free to interpret the illustrations to tell the story, noticing and developing details which please them most.

Although very different, for me, the story has echoes of ‘The Snowman’. A wonderfully imaginative adventure with two new friends exploring the child’s world and then the sadness of a parting. However, in this story, Ettie realises that Moon Bear is just as afraid of the light as Ettie is of the dark and she gently helps him to understand that he has nothing to fear. Although Moon Bear has disappeared in the morning when Ettie wakes, she knows he will return with the night, leaving the story full of excited expectation and joy.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and children are sure to notice all the little details which hint that Ettie is a bear fan before Moon Bear appears- her toy, her drawings, the book she shares with her mum- perhaps encouraging them to create their own imaginative solutions to help them confront their own fears. The story is perfect for adults to use as an opening for discussions about fears, developing empathy and understanding whilst offering reassurance. There are many pictures to linger over and discuss how Ettie and Moon Bear are feeling and exploring their emotions. The final picture of Ettie and Moon Bear on the very last page offers the perfect starting point for children to create their own stories about these two friends.

Gorgeous!

Moon Bear

Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Carolina T Godina

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711291003

You can read my review of ‘Sunny Side Up!’ here, ‘I Love You More’ here, ‘Never Ever Ever Ask a Pirate to a Party’ here and ‘Slime? It’s Not Mine!’ here.

Godfrey is a Frog

From tiny egg to tadpole, from froglet to frog, Godfrey undergoes some amazing changes. Eventually, he hops onto a lily pad and waits to see what changes will occur next…but nothing happens. Looking at the other animals, he feels that they are all much cooler than he is and that he is just a boring old frog. Fed up, he sinks to the bottom of the pond. Here, he meets some of the other inhabitants of the pool and finds that they see him in a different light. Perhaps being a frog isn’t so bad after all!

What’s not to love about this one?! Fabulous illustrations, deadpan humour, a heartfelt message about loving who you are and the lifecycle of a frog all combine to create a joyful book which is sure to become a central part of many story times and bed time story sessions!

The illustrations are both adorable and incredibly clever. Slight changes in some picture indicate the passing of time whilst emphasising the fact that Godfrey himself has not changed. Others indicate Godfrey’s changing feelings by his different expressions. These are details which children love to ponder over and can form the basis of so much discussion and develop their visual and emotional literacy as well as their empathy for others. The story would make the perfect starting point for PSHE lessons, circle times or assemblies. Sharp eyed readers are sure to notice the illustration on the title page where Godfrey looks at his reflection, a confused jumble of all the possible ‘improved’ versions of Godfrey, an excellent place to start converstations!

Showing how we often don’t appreciate in ourselves things which others recognise, the story paves the way for many conversations, not only about valuing yourself, but of the importance of carefully worded compliments offered to others. Godfrey is quick to notice Bear’s ‘cracking claws’ and Minnow’s ‘fantastic fins’ yet doesn’t value his own strong legs or long tongue, but a few thoughtful comments make him think about and value the things which make him who he is. We shouldn’t need affirmation from others to value ourselves, but positivity breeds positivity! The only thing which needs to change about Godfrey is the way he feels about himself.

The story also shows the life cycle of a frog which is reiterated through a spread at the end of the book and brings me back to the magic, wit and charm of the illustrations which accompany this story. Godfrey will steal hearts, make everyone laugh- and hopefully help readers realise that they are pretty fantastic just as they are!

Godfrey is a Frog

Alex Latimer

OUP ISBN: 978-0192789006

Published 4th July 2024

Changing Tides

Lula is excited that she and her dad are going on a trip to the seaside- her favourite place. But this visit will be different because Theo and his mum, Simone, are coming with them as they are now part of her family- but Lula is not sure how she feels about this…

‘Changing Tides’ is a delightful picture book, perfect for initiating discussions around newly formed families and the worries and joys of finding yourself with new siblings. The story is greatly enhanced by the gorgeous illustrations which capture Lula’s changing emotions, offering so many places to pause and explore and validate her feelings as well as those of Theo. The initial picture shows her peeking at Theo apprehensively over the kitchen table whilst the last shows them hand in hand, happily smiling. Together, they build a sandcastle, bigger and more beautiful than those Lula normally makes, overcoming problems and sharing the excitement- and the disappointment as the sea reclaims their creation. It is an absolute joy!

But the story is also a celebration of a day at the beach and all the simple pleasures this holds- the joy of splashing through the waves, playing in the sand, the inevitable rain! It shows a real sense of family togetherness and enjoyment in the little things in life which create the biggest memories. Wonderful for home or school, ‘Changing Tides’ (the perfect title!) is sure to quickly become a firm favourite!

Changing Tides

Júlia Moscardó

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838915377

Published 4th July 2024

The Secret Society of Very Important Post

Penny Black and her mother are leaving London and moving to Scotland. This will mean that they can spend more time together, but although Penny should feel happy, she is miserable about having to leave her friend, Wishyouwas- and she can’t bring herself to tell him. However, just as she is about to leave their flat, Wishyouwas himself arrives in need of her help as he has been summoned to Buckingham Palace for a meeting. They discover that a letter from the previous King to the new Queen, Elizabeth II, has been stolen and the Sorters are tasked with retrieving it and getting it to the new queen before her coronation. Will they be able to deliver on time?

Readers first met Wishyouwas in ‘The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters’, an absolutely wonderful adventure, and it is a pure joy to read another story set in this fantastic world! There is something really charming and magical about all the references to the postal service and all the elements of its past glory, so unfamiliar in this world of email and texting.!

The warm friendship between Penny and Wishyouwas is as lovely as ever and the pair make an excellent team as they set about solving the mystery of the missing letter- the ‘Monarch’s Seal’- accompanied by some familiar faces and some new friends. The mystery is really well plotted, offering clues and red herrings to keep the reader guessing as events unfold. Placed at the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, the story may well ignite curiosity about this event as well as some of the landmarks mentioned in the story and perhaps seek them out, following in the footsteps of Penny and Wishyouwas.  I never knew of the existence of Duck Island Cottage and will be seeking it out on my next trip to London!

There are plenty of illustrations scattered throughout the story, adding to the charm of this engaging story which would be an excellent choice for class story time or for using as a guided reading text. I look forward to the next ‘Wishyouwas Mystery’!

 The Secret Society of Very Important Post

Alexandra Page, illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee

Bloomsbury     ISBN: 978-1526644336

You can read my review of ‘Wishyouwas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters’ here.

FCBG Children’s Book Awards 2024

Yesterday, I was delighted to be able to attend the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Children’s Book Awards 2024 Ceremony. This year, it was being held in Birmingham so I was up bright and early for a very exciting day out!

I hadn’t been to Birmingham for years and so was really grateful to one of the members of the Birmingham group who had not only written directions to follow from the station, but had also added in things of interest to look out for along the way! The famous bull, Ozzy, from the Commonwealth Games 2022, the lovely Piccadilly Arcade, the impressive Council House building and the domed Hall of Memory were all features of my mini guided tour as I made my way to the Novotel where the ceremony was being held.

Had the incredible library been open, I might never have made it to the ceremony, but that was a treat I had to save for later. The gilded bronze statue, known as the ‘Golden Boys’ honours Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch, shown studying steam engine plans.  Together, these three revolutionised the steam engine. Also on my route was the Black Sabbath bench, a tribute to this Birmingham metal band, located on Broad Street, above the bridge on Canal Street, also named after the band!

At the Novotel, excitement was mounting as the dedicated and hard working team of FCBG members, led by Sarah Stuffins, were putting the finishing touches to preparations for the ceremony. Always a lovely occasion, the Children’s Book Awards ceremony keeps children- the voters- at its heart as members from each of the testing groups are invited to attend the occasion. Each child arrives to find a bag of goodies ready for them-including a Fed Ted- and that they will be sitting at a table with one of the shortlisted authors or illustrators! There are not many events which offer that!

As the guests all started to arrive, there was a wonderful atmosphere as everyone circulated and asked for their books to be signed. There was so much excitement from young (and somewhat older!) readers and so much excited book-ish chat, proving that these awards really do encourage reading for pleasure and that there are plenty of young readers who enjoy a great story.

Once everyone had eaten a delicious lunch, the ceremony was ready to begin and Korky, Winnie the Witch and Wilbur treated us to much wand waving and merriment, including a masterclass in how to draw Winnie. Every child had a numbered ticket in their goodie bag and one won a signed book and another won the picture. Sadly, adults weren’t included!

Each shortlisted author was then presented with a portfolio of work, full of pictures and writing from the children who voted for their books. These are so special and each author was genuinely moved to see the contributions these contain. Sadly, Karen Obuhanych, Philip Reeve, Sarah McIntyre, Michael Rosen and Simon Fox were not able to attend, but they sent messages which were shared at this time.

And then, the winner of each category was announced. Rob Biddulph won the Books for Younger Children’s category with ‘Gigantic’, Thomas Flintham won the Books for Younger Readers’ category with ‘Press Start! Game On, Super Rabbit Boy!’ and the Books for Older Readers’ category was won by ‘The Final Year’, written by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton. Although everyone had their favourites that they were rooting for, the results were received with great delight and much cheering.

As with each category, the overall winner was announced by children from one of the FCBG groups- another thing which is special to this award! Overall Winner of the Children’s Book Award 2024 was ‘Press Start! Game On, Super Rabbit Boy! ‘ by Thomas Flintham.

It was a fabulous occasion, greatly enjoyed by everyone! The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Children’s Book Awards is absolutely about children having a voice and genuinely reflects their interests and reading tastes. Huge congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators - and their publishers- and a huge well done to those involved in the organisation of the event!

This has nothing to do with the awards, but on the way home, I visited the wonderful Birmingham Library and then the ‘Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts and Crafts Movement' at The Gas Hall, part of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The perfect way to end the day!

You can read about CBA2023 here and CBA2022 here.

An Invitation to the Botanic Gardens

In this lovely book, readers are offered VIP access to the Botanic Gardens in Kew. From the ticket office to the ‘exit through the gift shop’, the book shares a wealth of information about the scientists, gardeners, horticulturalists, designers and explainers (amongst others!) who work so hard to keep this magical place full of healthy plants and happy visitors.

Perfect for sharing in preparation for a visit to the Gardens as well as reliving memories afterwards, ‘An Invitation to…’ is bursting with specific information about the Botanic Gardens. Different locations within the site are carefully explored, supported by wonderful illustrations. Three gateway folds allow the reader to feel as if they are entering different areas, exploring them with the visitors depicted enjoying them. For those who have never been there (and might never be lucky enough to go) it offers a glimpse of the wonders of the place and its plants and the dedication of those who work to maintain it. However, this is not just a book to link to a visit to the gardens.

Explanations are given for key vocabulary like pollination and germination whilst the work done at Kew gardens can be related to any garden which encourages nature to thrive. Children may be inspired to cultivate their own ‘conservation meadow’ or kitchen garden to grow their own vegetables. They can find out about some of the different carnivorous plants which are kept there as well as the important role of the seed bank.

A really beautiful book sharing the amazing work which goes on at a very special location, ‘An Invitation to the Botanic Gardens is one not to miss!

An Invitation to the Botanic Gardens

Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Helen Shoesmith

Hachette in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ISBN: 978-1803381060

The Beanstalk Murder

When a dead giant falls from the sky and crushes her village, Old Stump, trainee meadow-witch Anwen’s bad day suddenly becomes much worse. On examination, the body of the giant leads Anwen and her grandmother, Eira Sedge, to suspect he has been murdered. Anwen and a trainee sorceress, Cerys, take a message to the land above, via a beanstalk, where they find themselves tiny in a land of giants and determined to solve the crime!

‘The Beanstalk Murder’ is a fantastic read, combining a classic murder mystery with hints of a fairy tale favourite! Engaging characters and a twisty plot keep the reader guessing to the very end!

The relationship between Anwen and Cerys adds much to the story. Initially enemies, when the two girls find themselves thrown together in a land so completely alien to their own, they are forced into an uneasy truce. Cerys has been accepted at the Academy of High Magic whereas Anwen believes Cerys sabotaged her entrance exam. The two are at loggerheads with Cerys referring to Anwen, a Meadow Witch, as ‘ditch witch’ and Anwen causing a seagull to follow Cerys around and poo on her! As the girls spend time together, each learns more about the other, discovering the importance of looking beyond first impressions and working as a team. Anwen is impulsive and instinctive with a warm heart and insatiable curiosity and her skills as a Meadow Witch play a big part in solving the mystery, leading her to value what she has and what she is rather than envying Cerys.

The murder is so well constructed with clues and red-herrings skilfully threaded through the story, encouraging the reader to don their deerstalker alongside the girls to uncover those responsible. Their size in a giant world both helps and hinders their investigation, but nothing deters them in their quest. Although the giants of the Sky Kingdom and the humans below are alienated, the two sides develop a new understanding, seeing past their differences.

I really hope there will be more adventures set in this wonderful world!

The Beanstalk Murder

P G Bell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1805312536

Published 1st August 2024

You can read my review of ‘The Train to Impossible Places’ here, ‘The Great Brain Robbery’ here and ‘Delivery to the Lost City’ here.

Alice Éclair: A Dash of Daring

When an ingenious cipher machine, capable of converting messages into unreadable code in seconds, and its creator go missing, Alice Éclair finds herself once more in the thick of the action, this time at the Olympic training camp, where the daughter of the missing machine maker is getting ready to compete in the cycling events. Working undercover- and facing the challenges of creating healthy desserts- in the Olimpic kitchens, Alice is determined to solve the case.

This is the fourth and – I hate to say it- final book in the incredibly popular series about the clever, creative and kind-hearted, Alice Éclair, everyone’s favourite spy Every bit as delicious as its predecessors, ‘A Dash of Daring’ offers a very satisfying conclusion.

The story is packed with the usual clues and red herrings which make solving the case so enjoyable and there is plenty of code breaking to tickle the tastebuds. Developing relationships, coming to understand others and overcoming barriers are things which Alice is good at and once again, she makes new friends and meets up with some old ones as she rises to the challenges of the case and faces her nemesis.

Adele, the Olympic cyclist, has a twin, Hugo, a talented designer, who happens to be in a wheelchair. Having taken guidance from a fellow author, Sarah Todd Taylor offers a sensitive, accurate portrayal of his experiences, seamlessly adding this to the story, but greatly enriching the understanding and empathy of readers in the process.

An excellent conclusion to an excellent series!

Alice Éclair: A Dash of Daring

Sarah Todd Taylor, illustrated by Beatriz Castro

Nosy Crow    ISBN: ‎ 978-1839948879

Published 6th June

You can read my review of ‘A Spoonful of Spying’ here and ‘A Sprinkling of Danger’ here.

Ettie and the Midnight Pool

When Ettie meets Cora, she discovers she wants more than just the rural solitary life she has previously lived. And when Cora leads her to a hidden quarry pool- deep, beautiful and dangerously inviting- Ettie is ready to jump straight in. But the quarry itself has secrets…

(taken from book cover)

A book from Julia Green is always something special and ‘Ettie and the Midnight Pool’ is a lyrical, hauntingly beautiful story, one which leaves the reader reflecting on life’s stories and how the past mingles with the present.

No one could possibly read this without being struck by the rich, evocative writing which effortlessly summons the sights, scents and sounds of Ettie’s world. It is a love-letter to nature, reflected in the wisdom of Ettie’s Grandma, her knowledge of plants and flowers and the timeless patterns of nature. Mingled with this are references to ancient tales- the enduring nature of story and how we are made up of our own stories and those of others.

Against the traditions and certainties of this idyllic life in nature, Cora makes a stark contrast. She offers the excitement, the uncertainties, the adventure which Ettie craves, breaking the cocoon of safety and childhood her grandmother has woven around her. Ettie’s mother- a wild one- never settled to that life and in her new friendship with Cora, Ettie is starting to feel she might be more like her adventurous mother than her settled Grandmother as everyone previously thought. Ettie has to navigate her friendship, the secrets she uncovers and the truth about her family to truly find herself and realise who she is.

This would make the perfect read for those children who are thinkers, who want something different or special to read. Every class has them and it’s always a joy to have a gem like this to offer when they are ready for their next book! It is a wonderful, layered story, full of love, longing and life.

Ettie and the Midnight Pool

Julia Green

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452090

Published 6th June

North and the Only One

Since she woke up, Rose can’t remember anything- except her puppy, North. Mother is patient and helpful, carefully filling in the blanks, but Rose can’t quite shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. She isn’t allowed to draw back the curtains and can only venture into the garden early in the morning or at sunset, wearing a large-brimmed hat. She has strange dreams which Mother can’t -or won’t explain- and waking from one of these leads her to a discovery which frightens her into fleeing from the house. Once outside, however, it quickly becomes clear that she is different to those around her…

‘North and the Only One’ hits the high standard expected from a Vashti Hardy novel whilst managing to be different to her other books! It is a thoroughly engaging read, offering much to reflect upon and discuss.

As humans have died out ‘due to their own stupidity’ humanoid robots have replaced them, leaving Rose feeling alienated and completely alone, clinging to North, her companion and the only thing which she feels is familiar to her. When she escapes from her mother, Rose finds herself in the city where everything seems perfect- and yet its inhabitants are quick to judge, criticise difference and wish to be rid of anything which doesn’t fit their idea of ‘normal’. Her humanity makes her stand out, allowing readers to reflect on the importance of individuality!

The book focuses on Rose’s journey- literal and metaphorical- to find out who she really is, and we see the world through her eyes as she encounters things for the first time, reflecting on and sometimes questioning what she discovers and the book would make an excellent guided reading text, offering as it does so much to explore and discuss.

An excellent, imaginative adventure, ‘North and the Only One’ is a moving, wise tale with much to recommend it.

‘We’re all the same. We’re all made of stories.’

North and the Only One

Vashti Hardy

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702312274

You can read my review of ‘Serpent in the Sands’ here.

Beasts from the Deep

Beautifully presented, ‘Beasts from the Deep’ offers a fascinating and absorbing look at the mysterious creatures which inhabit the depths of the ocean.

The introduction carefully explains that there is much that is unknown about the deep sea, ‘a vast environment that despite near-freezing temperatures, crushing water pressure and total darkness’ is home to many creatures which have adapted to live there. From here, the author goes on to explain the ocean’s layers from the sunlight zone through the Twilight, Midnight and Abyssal Zones down to the Hadal Zone. The illustration here is quite something with the sparsely populated, inky-black Hadal Zone still managing to hint at the mysteries it might hold!

Starting with the Twilight Zone, the book then explores each layer in more detail, looking at some of the creatures which live there and how they have adapted to survive in their environment, making it a fascinating text to support the Y6 work on evolution and inheritance in science. The fangtooth, for example, which inhabits the Midnight Zone, has evolved to have a large mouth lined with really long teeth whilst Atolla jellyfish are perfectly adapted to live at this level.

On each page, the text is presented in small chunks, offering plenty of information, using subject specific vocabulary (a comprehensive glossary is included at the end of the book), encouraging the reader to develop their understanding of this fascinating environment and the ‘beasts’ which live there. I learned so much from reading this!

Beasts from the Deep

Matt Ralphs, illustrated by Kaley McKean

Nosy Crow with the University of Cambridge ISBN: 978-1839943348

Published 6th June

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

The Suitcase

When a little boy is left at his grandparent’s for the summer holidays, he expects to be completely bored as nothing ever happens there and there is nothing to do. However, when searching the attic, he finds a suitcase, full of mysterious things and photos of people having incredible adventures and doing exciting things. Determined to find out who they are, he starts to investigate…

This is such a lovely story, perfect for helping children to appreciate their grandparents - and perhaps their parents- as ‘real’ people who have lived interesting and varied lives in their own right as well as being the ‘boring’ people they see day after day. Readers will love spotting all the clues hidden in plain sight and piecing together the solution whilst the young lad puzzles over the evidence. There is plenty here to amuse adults as well as children- a tape of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is labelled as possibly being some sort of spying equipment, for example!

The story would make an excellent starting point for developing children’s interest in their own family history, encouraging them to talk to relations and learn more about their lives and perhaps discovering new interests which they can share. For some family’s looking at the past might not be possible, but the story could lead to creating their own ‘suitcase’ of memorabilia of a holiday or day spent together (whether at home or away!), forging new memories and strengthening bonds across generations.

I could wax lyrical for hours about the fabulous illustrations - the antics of the cat, the before and after photos on the end papers, the links between the grandparents past and present lives- there is so much to notice and enjoy!

Heart-warming and joyful, ‘The Suitcase’ helps readers understand that other people might be more interesting that we give them credit for!

The Suitcase Daniela Sosa

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398518698

Solstice

Using solstice celebrations to take the reader on a journey around the world, this lovely book introduces fourteen fictional children from fourteen different locations as they experience the summer solstice. Whilst those living in the top half of the world have the longest day of the year, those in the bottom half experience the shortest, offering a fantastic snapshot of life around the Earth.

‘Solstice’ is a joy to read. Taken on a trip around the world, the reader is invited to share the daily lives of each child and discover, not only what happens on the solstice, but also something of the similarities and differences of those living in different locations. Each chapter starts with a map of the world showing where the child lives, the hours of sunlight on the 21st June and the average temperature range in addition to a small glossary featuring a selection of vocabulary with definitions used in the following text.

Each child then recounts their day, sharing cultural details about traditions and festivals as well as things about their daily routine. Kjersti from Svalbard, for example, comments on how normal it is for her that the sun doesn’t set and that she can sometimes see polar bears from her windows whilst for Bahasa, living in a city on the equator, the day is the same length all year round. Each section is illustrated by an artist with a connection to that country, making for a pleasing range of styles throughout the book. A section at the end of the book shows photos of each illustrator and offers a short autobiography. There is also a glossary of terms for the book as a whole and an index, making it easy to locate relevant information.

An excellent text to support the science and geography curriculum, ‘Solstice’ is also perfect for browsing at leisure.

Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day.
Jen Breach, illustrated by 14 global artists

What on Earth ISBN: 978-1913750770

The Letter with the Golden Stamp

I can't remember how old I was when I first started collecting stamps. But I've got a whole shoebox full of them now.
Mam used to help me collect them ... Before she got so ill that she lost her job, her friends...everything.
Now it's my job to take care of her and protect her - and my little brother and sister too. But to do that, I have to make Mam a Secret. A secret no-one can ever find out about. Not even my best friends at school, or Mo, our postman.
Or the stranger living in the house across the street. The one no-one has seen, but who I know is spying on us.

(Taken from the blurb)

Any new book by Onjali goes straight to the top of my teetering TBR pile and I read this the moment a copy landed on the doormat. However, it has taken me quite a while to review- not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because the story affected me so deeply.

Over the years, I have met many ‘Audrey’s- children coping with all manner of responsibilities and cares, constantly worrying about their home situation and the threat of the authorities finding out and separating them from their loved ones. ‘The Letter with the Golden Stamp’ is a deeply poignant story which shines a light on the hidden world of child carers and offering them the empathy and compassion they deserve.

Audrey is an absolute delight, quite young for her age in some ways and yet older than she should be in others. The events of the story unfold as she recounts to Sergeant Anita and Mrs Rogers in New Scotland Yard everything that has led her to being so far from her home in Wales. Her innocent desire to be honest with the police allows the reader to learn about Audrey’s life, her mother’s poor health, their ‘Sunshine Days’ when her mother is in less pain and Audrey can go to school without worrying, the days which Audrey misses from school and the occasional shoplifting so that the family can eat. There were moments when I had to put the book to one side and have a little sob as her situation rang so true and her courage, loyalty to her family and selflessness reminded me of children I have known.

And this is what Onjali does so well. Through engaging, entertaining stories and endearing characters, she highlights the situations of those in need with compassion and kindness, offering hope. Audrey is less alone than she thinks- Mo, the postman (everyone needs a lovely postman!), Mrs Davies from the shop and other neighbours are all concerned for the family and trying to help and Audrey comes from a close, loving family whose situation could have been so different had her mother not become ill.

For those who live like Audrey, the book will offer hope and recognition; other will gain empathy and understanding, perhaps be slower to judge and quicker to understand.

A beautiful book!

The Letter with the Golden Stamp

Onjali Q Rauf

Orion ISBN: 978-1510108929

The Shade Tree

When a rich man claims that the shade of a tree belongs to him and refuses to let the villagers take shelter in it, a young traveller offers to buy it from him. Delighted by what he considers the young man’s foolishness, the rich man accepts his offer and the traveller shares the tree’s shade with the villagers. However, as sun began to set, the shadows grow longer until they cover the rich man’s house and the traveller points out that wherever the tree’s shade falls now belongs to him. Eventually, the rich man gives up his house and moves away, leaving the traveller to enjoy the house and allow all the villagers to enjoy the tree’s shade whenever they desire.

‘Wave’ by Suzy Lee is one of my absolute favourite picture books and I had great fun planning work to inspire writing from this wordless treasure so I was very excited when, whilst researching books for the FCBG ‘Myths and Legends’ booklist I am writing, the lovely Catherine Ward suggested I look at ‘The Shade Tree’, another of her books.

Text and illustration combine perfectly in this retelling of a Korean folktale. The characters are presented as silhouettes, giving them an ‘every man’ quality so suited to the nature of folklore, whilst the tree takes centre stage, lush and verdant, and yet there are plenty of details to notice- the coins tumbling from hand to hand, the actions of the villagers, the fury of the rich man! A gatefold spread cleverly shows the lengthening shadow with the traveller dancing along in the shade, right up to the greedy rich man’s house.

The timeless wisdom of the tale offers plenty to discuss and enjoy with kindness and quick wit triumphing over greed. The style of illustration used may well inspire children to create shadow puppets with which to re-enact this story, other folktales - or perhaps to create their own!

A magical retelling!

The Shade Tree

Suzy Lee, translated by Helen Mixter

Greystone Books ISBN: 978-1778400186

Happy Hills: Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens

When Ace the unicorn gets lost, he stumbles on Happy Hills, a place where anything can happen. Soon, all the residents are keen to share their own version of The Legend of Happy Hills whilst ‘the hills are alive with the sound of Giant Danger Kittens’! But in the end, Ace decides to stay with his new friends in Happy Hills.

Packed with Sophy’s amazing illustrations and zany humour, ‘Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens’ is bursting with fun and energy! Each character is full of personality! From the exuberance and perkiness of Mimi to the feather-fearing Duckie, children will quickly identify with their favourite and no doubt have fun both creating their own new characters and more adventures. Sophy’s how-to guides for drawing Mimi and Ace at the end of the book are perfect for helping with this.

These quirky characters, colourful comic strips and zany humour offer the perfect mix of nonsense (in a good way!) and fantasy, which Sophy Henn’s magic touch turns into a fantastically enjoyable read! Children will be counting the days until the next book appears…

Happy Hills: Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens

Sophy Henn

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398524606

You can read my review of Pizazz vs Perfecto here and Pizazz and Pizazz vs the New Kid here and Pizazz vs the Demons here.