The Secret Life of Bees

Buzzwing the honeybee takes everyone on a guided tour of the world of bees . Not only does she welcome the reader into her hive, but Buzzwing also introduces bees from all over the world. A fabulous celebration of bees and the amazing role they play in our lives, ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ even includes bee tales from around the world.

Buzzwing explains the roles taken by different bees in her hive and gives lots of details about bee anatomy. I had no idea that bee eyeballs are hairy! Buzzwing then shows everyone inside the hive and how bees make honey. The information is presented in short accessible sections with plenty of illustrations and diagrams.

There is so much to be learned about bees in these pages, showing just how fascinating their ‘secret’ lives are. ‘Buzzing Around the World’ looks at different types of bees - there are about 20,000 in the world- and how they differ. One thing I really like is the inclusion of a number of bee related stories from around the world- the tradition of telling news to the bees and the Aboriginal story of the lady of the moon, for example.

The book is full of colourful, engaging illustrations and some pages have things to find on them, encouraging close exploration. The final page offers ideas for how to ‘be a bee friend’, showing how to help these amazing insects who make the world ‘a sweeter place’.

The Secret Life of Bees

Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Vivian Mineker

Words and Pictures ISBN: 978-0711260498

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Showing the imaginary migration of a blacktip reef shark, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ takes the reader on a voyage of discovery and introduces them to the underwater world. Here, they meet different types of sharks and other marine life in their habitats before finding a way back to the Great Barrier Reef and home.

Blue sun in sunken skies

the sea sharpens to the shape

of Shark off the west coast

of Australia.

So begins this magical journey, sympathetically exploring shark’s world. It is a joy to read aloud, lyrical and flowing, and sure to excite the imagination. The blacktip reef shark encounters many other species on its journey offering a fascinating glimpse of some of the different types of shark and their habitats. A little more information is included about each at the end of the book along with other things it encounters, making the perfect starting point for further investigation.

Often the focus of fear and sensationalist headlines, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ focuses on the beauty of these creatures and the essential role they play in helping to maintain the ocean’s balance. It also reminds the reader of the threats posed by climate change and the impact this is having on shark’s world.

Each glorious illustration celebrates the beauty of our oceans, showing the varied habitats of the sharks and the creatures who live alongside them. The book would make a wonderful starting point for inspiring artwork and poems about these magnificent creatures, accompanied by research. The text is rich in imagery, alliteration, kennings, repetition, onomatopoeia… showing the joy of language and the beauty of expression as well as conveying lots of fascinating information.

Perfect for reading aloud, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’ would make a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1914079054

Leap, Hare, Leap!

‘Dip-dwelling grass-grazer’ Hare leaps from landscape to landscape around the world, introducing the reader to different breeds of hares on her journey. As she ventures from place to place, Hare faces danger from predators as she encounters her

Rich in imagery, ‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ is a beautiful introduction to the world of these fascinating creatures. Using kennings, alliteration, simile and metaphor, the book is lyrical, a joy to read aloud, as well as informative. Additional facts about each hare she meets are included at the end of the book along with information about the Hare Preservation Trust. A glossary explains some of the terms used.

The artwork is as powerful as the text, full of drama and detail. Hare escapes from each predator-including the man-made ‘mechanical monster’ which destroys Woolly hare’s home- making it safely home to her leverets. This book, like ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’, is perfect for supporting work in science on animals and their habitats as well as for inspiring poetry writing.

‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ offers a love of language, beautiful illustrations and fascinating facts.

Leap Hare Leap!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1913134921

Willow Wildthing

Whilst exploring the garden of her new house , Willow meets the Wild Things, a group of children. who invite her to cross the bridge and enter the Wilderness, a place where anything can happen. The Wilderness was once the garden and grounds of an old house that burned down and remains a ‘small patch of green in the grey concrete town’. For the children, the Wilderness is a place where ‘time stretched, rivers ran deep and giant forests grew’… a secret, magical place.

In the first adventure, Willow pursues the Wild Things when they capture her little dog, Sniff. She crosses the bridge and learns that the children need to borrow Sniff to track a monster which has invaded their camp. One of their group, Bear, gave chase when the monster snatched the Wild Thing’s doughnuts and has disappeared. The children hope Sniff can help them find him and so Willow and her faithful dog join them on an adventure to face the swamp monster.

In their second adventure, The Wild Things find another group of children, the Bark Skins, are in the Wilderness. They have taken Mouse, trapping him with the threat of the Ogre Tree, and demanding River Camp- the Wildthings’ base- in return for his freedom. Furious, the Wild Things declare war and decide to train the dragon who lives in the Dragon Gardens to help them defeat the enemy…

In ‘Willow Wildthing and the Shooting Star’, heavy rains have destroyed River Camp. Whilst camping in Raven’s garden, the children see three shooting stars fall into the Wilderness. Determined to find them, the Wild Things set off on another adventure.

The joy of being free to roam the countryside, getting muddy and making camps radiates from these stories. Exploring nature and being part of the great outdoors makes them a breath of fresh air and perfect for inspiring not only a love of reading, but a desire to share in the Wild Things’ outdoor activities. Each book has an activity at the end which is practical and fun for children to try.

There is so much to love about these stories. Sniff is a rescue dog with ‘one eye, wonky teeth and a brave heart’ who no one had wanted, but he is the perfect dog for Willow and is a real hero of these stories. The reader learns much about nature through the stories too. When Willow’s little brother finds a ‘dragon’ in their garden, his parents create a home for it in a tank, but Willow knows it needs to be released and pleads with her parents not to dig up all the overgrown bushes in their garden that form its home. Th threat litter poses to wildlife is also brilliantly highlighted in the third book- so much to think about and discuss.

Willow’s little brother, Freddie, is ill which offers another element to these stories, exploring her feelings about this and the impact that this has on her family. She longs for him to be well enough to join her in her adventures in the Wilderness and the strong bonds of family love shine through the books. This is highlighted by Rebecca Bagley’s wonderful illustrations, themed to the colour of the book’s cover.

These gentle adventures which celebrate the imagination and play, the power of nature and the love of family and friends are a real delight. Perfect for newly independent readers, as Guided Reading texts or for the joy of a shared story, Gill Lewis has worked her magic again!

Willow Wildthing and the Swamp Monster Gill Lewis, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

OUP ISBN: 978-0192771759

Willow Wildthing and the Dragon’s Egg Gill Lewis, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

OUP ISBN: 978-0192771766

Willow Wildthing and the Shooting Star Gill Lewis, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley

OUP ISBN: 978-0192771773

Swan Song

Permanently excluded from school, Dylan and his mother are forced to move to live with his grandfather in a tiny Welsh village. Initially, things are difficult- his mother and grandfather are not close and Dylan finds himself without the distractions of games consoles and the Internet. However, things start to change when his grandfather takes Dylan out on a fishing trip and shows him the whooper swans. The peace and beauty of nature helps to restore his sense of wellbeing, but will it be enough to help him when new challenges arise?

Beautifully written, ‘Swan Song’ is a celebration of the healing power of nature. It also sensitively explores mental health issues. Dylan found the transition to secondary school very difficult and struggled to cope with the pressure he felt from the expectations of work. The story acknowledges how friendships change during the transition years as some try to ‘reinvent’ themselves and others can feel left behind as they see their friends move on. As so often happens in real life, Dylan’s behaviour became increasingly challenging as he felt more and more out of control. The curt dismissal of the head at the opening of the book is not my experience of this situation: it is a very long road to this point and one which we work so hard to avoid.

The relationship which develops between Dylan and his grandfather as they bond over their admiration for the swans is very touching. His grandfather’s non-judgemental approach and the trust he shows in his grandson help restore Dylan’s sense of self worth and he is able to relax, finding a sense of calm. This is enhanced by the beauty and tranquillity of their surroundings. Nature has also helped Dylan’s grandfather come to terms with the loss of his wife.

Gill Lewis shines when describing the natural world- her love of nature sings through every line. The threat to the swans’ habitat in the story and the action taken by the community underline the importance of conserving and protecting these spaces. There is so much packed into this short story- it is a joy to read. Another Barrington Stoke triumph!

Excellent for using in guided reading, there is so much to discuss and explore in this book. ‘Swan Song’ is a sensitive, thoughtful story, full of nature’s healing power.

Swan Song Gill Lewis

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-1781129548