The Way Home for Wolf

Wilf, a wolfling, is determined to show his independence and as the wolf pack moves on, he declares he will lead the way. The other wolves tell him to wait until he’s older and although Wilf tries to keep up, he soon falls further and further behind. Reluctant to ask for help, he realises he’s lost and quickly finds himself in trouble. A meeting with a sea unicorn leads to Wilf accepting help from other creatures and finding his way back to the heart of his pack.

What a joy of a book! Little Wilf comes to understand that everyone needs to ask for and accept help at times and that there is a joy in working with others. Told in rhyme, the text flows beautifully and is a pleasure to read aloud.

The illustrations are simply stunning. Scenes showing the silhouetted wolves howling at the moon and running across snowy landscape are just lovely. The picture showing Wilf plunging through the ice and meeting the narwhal is quite gorgeous, but my favourite of all is the one of Wilf gazing at the sky with his new friends picked out in the stars.

Since wherever life takes you, wherever you roam…

we’re all just a handful of friendships from home.

Another triumph from this perfect partnership, ‘The Way Home for Wolf’ is a joy to share.

The Way Home for Wolf

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Orchard Books ISBN: 978-1408349205

No Ballet Shoes in Syria

Aya is an asylum seeker from Syria, living in Manchester with her mother and baby brother. A talented ballet dancer, she fears that has all been left behind her in the cold, unfamiliar world she has found herself in where she must care for her mother and brother. However, she is drawn to a ballet class in the community centre whilst they are waiting to see their case worker and her talent is recognised by the dance teacher. The potential to gain a ballet scholarship gives her hope for the future, but her family must fight to be allowed to stay in the country- and to try to find Aya’s father.

Beautiful, powerful writing encouraging empathy and compassion, ‘No Ballet Shoes in Syria’ would make an excellent quality text for inspiring work in class. Offering plenty of opportunities for developing writing, drama and debating skills, using a rich vocabulary and adding the colour of dance and its ability to express emotion. It is a glorious read!

No Ballet Shoes in Syria

Catherine Bruton

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788004503

Perdu

Perdu is a little dog with nothing but an old red scarf. He is lost and alone and so makes his way to the city in search of somewhere to call home. But the city is busy and noisy and frightening for a little dog on his own. Will he find a safe place and someone to love?

This is such a beautiful story which captures a deep sense of loneliness and longing for a home. Perdu (French for ‘lost’) is small and vulnerable, instantly inspiring empathy as he makes his solitary way first through the countryside and then through the city. His sense of isolation is emphasised by the stunning artwork, but the sharp eyed will notice that someone is paying attention to Perdu. A little girl in a red bobble hat has spotted him and keeps trying to draw her mother’s attention to him. She shows patience and kindness, returning his lost red scarf when he is distressed and at last, Perdu has found his safe place.

The illustrations are simply stunning, making this a wonderful story to linger over and explore the other stories being told. Perdu becomes increasingly forlorn as he searches until he curls up in ‘a scared little ball of worry’. The final spread also shows him curled up, but this time safe in a cosy basket of his own by the little girl’s bed. The story makes the perfect starting point for conversations about homelessness and loneliness as well as animal welfare.

‘Perdu’ is a delightful, heart-warming story to share and enjoy again and again.

Perdu Richard Jones

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1471181269

The Perfect Fit

Triangle loves rolling with the circles, playing with the squares and having fun with the hexagons. But wherever she goes, Triangle feels like she doesn’t fit. After much searching, she eventually finds those just like herself. Together, they have a wonderful time, but she quickly realises that she misses…everyone else! Soon, all the shapes are having a brilliant time together. They might not all be exactly the same, but they can still be the best of friends.

‘The Perfect Fit’ is a delightful story, perfect for sharing with KS1 and EYFS children, but also worth reading to, and using to initiate discussions with, older children. The instant visual appeal of the story makes it so easy to relate to and children could readily create their own shape characters to explore how they are feeling or as a starting point for writing their own stories or poems. The illustrations beautifully personify the different individuals and Triangle has endearing freckles which add to her character- and make her easy to spot amid the other yellow triangles!

The story celebrates difference, showing that it’s not only OK to be different, but that difference can be a good thing, bringing new ideas and new perspectives. The use of shapes is a gift to teachers as there are so many mathematical links and colour links which can be made whilst enjoying the story.

A wonderful story for exploring difference and the fun of fitting in- or not, ‘The Perfect Fit’ is just joyous!

The Perfect Fit Naomi Jones, illustrated by James Jones

OUP ISBN: 978-0192774613