A Recipe for Trouble

Alice Éclair might only be thirteen, but she is also an expert pâtissière and France's youngest, keenest spy. For the past year, she has been receiving cryptic messages and puzzles to solve and, although she does not know who they are from, she has her suspicions - which are realised when a final code leads her to a secret meeting.

Alice learns that all the puzzles have been to train her in espionage in the hope that she will undertake a mission to uncover a cunning enemy agent.  Alice sets off on this dangerous assignment aboard France's most glamourous train, posing as a pastry chef. But soon everyone on the train is under suspicion and Alice must use all her baking skills and her cunning to crack the case.

There is much to enjoy in this adventure, Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire! Alice is a wonderful heroine; resourceful and intelligent, yet fallible, she launches herself into her investigation with enviable energy and enthusiasm. There are twists and turns a-plenty and scatterings of red herrings as Alice engineers opportunities to investigate her fellow passengers.  The reader learns to crack codes and can test their own sleuthing skills as the mystery develops - only to be surprised by a sudden shock! There are some tense moments along the way as Alice finds herself facing peril as well as baking pastries.

The story offers plenty to discuss with its Parisian opening, attitudes to women and 'serving' classes and, of course, its many cake references. With a new adventure, A Spoonful of Spying, on its way, Alice is sure to become a firm favourite.

Alice Éclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble

Sarah Todd Taylor

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839940958

My Beautiful Voice

The thought of a school poetry performance, but a little girl is so shy that she can’t speak in class. However, her teacher, Miss Flotsam, gently encourages her to find her voice and write her poem. Her confidence builds until she feels brave enough to share the poem with the class.

A beautifully up-lifting book, ‘My Beautiful Voice’ is so full of joy, showing the importance of patience and kindness in a teacher. Miss Flotsam ‘explodes’ into the classroom, full of energy and enthusiasm. She is full of stories and experiences that she shares with her class, inspiring them with ideas for their poems. Yet she also notices and has time for the quiet child, recognising what she needs, patiently guiding her and enabling her to achieve.

For those who are quieter, the story reflects the struggles involved in speaking in front of others, but also the joy of finally finding your voice and unlocking the beauty of your own voice. It’s always a source of the greatest delight when a shy child in your class takes that first step and presents to an audience.

The book itself is also a celebration of poetry. Joseph Coelho’s language is effortlessly beautiful as it describes the events and emotions flowing through the story. There are so many images which could be used to inspire a class to develop their own images and descriptions. His words are matched by Allison Colpoys’ fabulous illustrations which capture the vitality and zest for life of Miss Flotsam, the whole spread of emotions and the final triumph of the little girl perfectly.

‘My Beautiful Voice’ is a delightful read, sure to inspire empathy and understanding and develop the love of poetry.

My Beautiful Voice

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711248311

Odd Dog Out

Living in a place where everydog looks the same and acts the same, being different means you really stand out. From her clothes to her interests, Odd Dog is just that- the odd dog out- and feels she has to leave her home to find somewhere that she fits in.

So she makes her way to 'Doggywood' where all the dogs look and act just like she does. She is delighted! But then she makes a new friend who teaches her that standing out from the crowd and being an individual is something to be proud of!

With its positive message and amazing illustrations, this is a brilliant book for home or school. Visually rich and rewarding, each spread is full of details to explore and enjoy whilst the story offers a heart-warming affirmation of individuality.

Whether used as a lovely story, as the starting point for discussions about standing out from the crowd or to inspire amazing artwork, 'Odd Dog Out' is a book that can be appreciated by children (and adults!) of all ages. The loneliness she experiences and the self doubt that makes her feel out of place is something that many of us will feel at some point in our lives and this story puts a light-hearted slant on this.

There are other stories about being an individual and dancing to your own tune, but this is a story which presents the message in a way as unique as the individual reading it!

Odd Dog Out   Rob Biddulph

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007594153

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece

In their latest adventure, Shifty and Sam are in Paris where they are going to bake a huge gingerbread Eiffel Tower for Gallerie Bonbon, an upmarket art gallery. But a master criminal is at large and when sneaky fox, Cunningham Sly, steals a precious painting from under their noses, the chase is on. Can our brilliant bakers save the day- and get their gingerbread tower built in time?

Our lovable duo are off on their adventures again. Tracey's lively text is a real joy to read aloud- the pace and energy are perfect. In keeping with the Parisian setting, there are French words and expressions woven into the story, adding that extra 'Je ne sais quoi' to the tale! This was also developed through the illustrations and led to wonderful conversations about Paris and its landmarks with my class, clearly demonstrating how a fabulous book can offer so much more than a brilliant story!

As ever in these stories, so much character is conveyed in very few words. Shifty and Sam's new adversary, Cunningham Sly, is a great example of this. If using this as a class text, a great deal of character building and language development could be done based on him- as well as Shifty and Sam, of course- and even their little spider friend.

Talking of the spider, I was so pleased to see that the traditional spider hunt on each page has been maintained - with some very challenging hiding places! Every illustration in the book is an absolute joy- full of detail and humour. Steven has played with some famous masterpieces, giving them a doggy make-over, once again encouraging discussion and further investigation of the originals. As events take place around them, the sharp-eyed reader will delight in noticing changes in each painting.

Each 'Shifty' adventure leaves me longing for the next one and this is no exception! Fun and light-hearted humour are guaranteed, but the quality of both text and illustration make them something really special. I hope they are going to work their way round Europe!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece  Tracey Corderoy,

illustrated by Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow     ISBN: 978-0857639745 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa's Stolen Sleigh

Everyone’s favourite baker dogs are back in a new adventure! They’re heading to Lapland to create a feast for Father Christmas. However, when they arrive, they find that all of the elves are covered in spots. Help appears in the form of Flo Frost, a polar bear with lots of helpful gadgets. Whilst the boys bake a feast fit for Santa, Flo sets to work, but does she have a sneaky plan which could see the end of Christmas..?

I love Shifty and Sam so much! Since the first title appeared in 2015, these lovable dogs have been firm favourites. ‘Santa’s Stolen Sleigh’ is a fabulous festive treat, just right for sharing. As with each of these stories, Tracey’s wonderful rhyming text is a joy to read aloud. Bursting with moments of humour, the lines trip along perfectly and the story lends itself perfectly to encouraging children to tell their own Christmassy adventures for these adorable dogs!

Every spread is full of details to notice and offers plenty to discuss. As with the other books, there is a spider to spot on every page. I really feel they need a book all of their own as they are bursting with a cheeky personality and an adventurous spirit! The whole thing is a delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to share this!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa’s Stolen Sleigh

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788007771

Mabel and the Mountain

Mabel may be small, but she has some big ambitions. Number one of these is to climb a mountain. Her fellow flies are not very supportive, pointing out amongst other things that flies fly- they don’t climb. But Mabel is bursting with positivity and sets off immediately.

However, she soon discovers just how hard a task she has set herself. Others are quicker, stronger, louder and downright rude so Mabel considers adjusting her plans until she listens to the little voice inside, telling her that she can! She perseveres, triumphs and inspires others to follow their dreams too.

What a wonderful story for encouraging perseverance! It is not often that a fly gets a starring role, but small though she is, Mabel is delightful, showing that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard. Perfect for assemblies or PSHE lessons, Mabel is easy to relate to and when the going gets tough, children could be reminded of her attitude. I particularly like the references to others who seem better at mountaineering than Mabel, making her achievement seem all the greater for her hard work and tenacity.

Although the story packs a powerful message, it is done with humour and a light-hearted touch. The illustrations are delightful and it would be easy to engage children with creating their own fingerprint fly characters and setting them off on their own adventures. This would be a lovely story to use for a Book Hook session…

‘Mabel and the Mountain’ buzzes with its positive message about believing in yourself, persevering and achieving your dreams.

Mabel and the Mountain

Kim Hillyard

Ladybird ISBN: 978-0241407929

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

Dear Earth

Beautiful in both illustration and words, ‘Dear Earth’ explores our planet and all its wonders.

Tessa’s grandfather was an explorer and loves to share stories of his adventures with his granddaughter. Inspired by his memories, Tessa decides to write a letter to the Earth and what follows is a celebration of all the beauties and wonders of this planet. It is a real love letter, sharing her passion for the Earth as she believes that if enough people share the message, it will have a better future.

Through Tessa’s imagination and the stunning illustrations by Clara Anganuzzi, the reader experiences the diverse and glorious creatures of our planet and all the places in which they live. She blows bubbles with whales, kisses butterflies and screeches with the monkeys and birds of the rain forests. But she also reminds us that the world is a fragile place, easily hurt by people, often unintentionally, and needs love and care to flourish.

At the end of the book, there are pages offering more information about environmental issues and practical suggestions for things people can do to help.

Once we had read and enjoyed the story, each of my class wrote a letter to the Earth which will be displayed hanging from our ‘book balloon’. This has been painted to look like the cover of the book by the children with their drawings of the creatures and Tessa added. Pictures of this will be posted as soon as it’s finished.

‘Dear Earth’ is a stunning book about how special and fragile our planet is. Every class needs a copy!

Dear Earth

Isabel Otter, illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1848579415

History Atlas

Covering 15 civilisations, History Atlas takes you on a light-hearted but fact-packed tour of the world. Visually stunning, it is instantly engaging, sure to delight even the most hardened history hater!

The author's introduction sets a chatty tone, reminding the reader to have fun, and it's hard not to as there is plenty of humour mingled with the information. Each section has an introduction which locates the civilisation in place and time; a map which introduces key figures; and 'story' pages which include related myths and legends as well as facts.

The information is presented in easily digestible chunks, perfect for dipping in and out of and for leading to further investigation. The section on European Exploration recognises those who fought against the invading Europeans, introducing personalities like Zumbi of Palmares and Lakshmibai, Queen of the state of Jhansi, as well as the devastating effects of the transatlantic slave trade. The machinations of the Tang dynasty make fascinating reading, as do the achievements of the Ottomans - I must find out more about Kosem Sultan!

Full of humorous illustrations, History Atlas would make a fabulous gift, perfect for encouraging exploration of the past and a glimpse of the present. Learn without realising!

History Atlas Thiago de Moraes

Alison Green Books ISBN: 978-1407189239

Milton the Megastar

In our 2020 Read Aloud winner, ‘Milton the Mighty’, Emma Read introduced us to this loveable little arachnid and his friends, teaching us all not to be scared of spiders! In this, his second adventure, Milton is finding his superstardom is all too stressful and is missing his dad who was last seen in Hawaii. Whilst his friends are as supportive as ever, they can’t help feeling that he has become a bit of a diva. Zoe is also finding things difficult. Although she likes dad’s new girlfriend, Greta and home has been happier recently, so much change takes a lot of getting used to. When a trip to Hawaii comes up, Zoe is determined to take Milton along- it could be his chance to find his dad! But an active volcano and a dodgy hotel developer mean that this might not be the relaxing holiday they were hoping for!

This wonderful story has so much to recommend it! Milton’s anxiety is dealt with sensitively and he is supported by his friends, but not completely indulged as they help him to deal with his feelings. Zoe is also supported and reassured by her father as she struggles to come to terms with her very mixed emotions about her changing situation. The story shows that sharing your feelings and not bottling them up is so important.

Caring for the environment is a strong theme running through the book. Spiders continue to be championed, but this book also raises questions about the impact of travel and tourism. Bradley O’Hair’s extreme views have rubbed off on his son, Dillon, but once presented with another point of view, he is prepared to listen and develop his own ideas.

With wonderful touches of humour and lots of spidery facts, ‘Milton the Megastar’ is every bit as delightful as ‘Milton the Mighty’. Another must read for spider-lovers and arachnophobes alike!

Milton the Megastar

Emma Read, illustrated by Alex G Griffiths

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1912626069

Milton the Mighty

Branded a deadly killer by the media, tiny false widow Milton decides to clear his name. Working with his arachnid friends, Audrey and Ralph, he must make contact with his house human, Zoe, and convince her that he is harmless. But with her father terrified of spiders and Felicity, the owner of BUGKILL, having moved into their street, can this tiny troupe achieve the impossible?

Milton is possibly the loveliest spider in fiction since Charlotte appeared on her web! A wonderful tale of friendship and of what can be achieved by teamwork and perseverance, ‘Milton the Mighty’ also presents a compelling case for respecting spiders and trying to understand rather than fear them. Perhaps #NotScaredOfSpiders should become a real campaign!

Full of humour, the book really tackles the issue of ‘fake news’ and challenges the reader to dig deeper, find out more and use some common sense before believing everything they read. Individuals taking action and standing up for what they believe in, even in the face of ridicule is such a powerful message, beautifully embodied in Milton who has to overcome his self-doubt and feelings of insignificance to achieve his goal.

Just as humans judge spiders, spiders themselves seem to judge one another and it is Ralph who realises that not all garden spiders want something as One Short (who wishes she was called Petal) becomes a valuable ally - and friend, showing the importance of not being prejudiced against others, but getting to know them.

‘Milton the Mighty’ would make a great read aloud, offering plenty to discuss and consider along the way. Hopefully, this ‘teeniest superhero’ will have more adventures very soon!

Milton the Mighty

Emma Read, illustrated by Alex G Griffiths

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1911490814

Earth’s Incredible Places: The Great Barrier Reef

Celebrating one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, ‘The Great Barrier Reef’ is a stunning and accessible book. The National Curriculum Programme of Study for Geography states the study of this subject should spark a curiosity and fascination about the world and aims to ensure that it should develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes. This book does that - and so much more!

Beginning with locating the Great Barrier Reef, the book explains its significance as a World Heritage Site before describing how it began to develop. Accompanied by diagrams, the explanation is very clear and easy to follow, making it accessible to children in KS1 and KS2. It details how the reef is built by coral, describing these fascinating creatures and how they develop.

The creatures that dwell on the Great Barrier Reef as well as their ‘neighbours’ are also celebrated, making the book useful for research. Information about the diverse and fascinating creatures found here is accompanied by Lisk Feng’s dynamic and appealing illustrations. Catchy side headings grab attention, encouraging those who like to dip in and out of non-fiction to read different sections whilst making an appealing read for those who enjoy reading from cover-to-cover!

Not only is the book a treasure trove for science and geography, it is also rich in historic and cultural facts. It celebrates the oral tradition of storytelling amongst Indigenous Australians and the respectful and harmonious way they have interacted with the Reef for thousands of years. Captain Cook’s arrival and the subsequent pillaging of the Reef for profit are also included.

The book looks at the threats to the Reef, but also at what can be and is being done to help it. The work of scientists like Terry Hughes and Professor Madeleine van Oppen is explained and the book closes with an appeal to the real to consider the future story of the Great Barrier Reef. A clear contents and a well developed glossary are also included, but the book has no index.

Having been lucky enough to have visited the Great Barrier Reef, I wish that I had had a copy of this book before going. A brilliant resource for home and school, ‘The Great Barrier Reef’ can be used to support many areas of the curriculum as well as igniting children’s curiosity about the world and its amazing and diverse locations.

The Great Barrier Reef Helen Scales, illustrated by Lisk Feng

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1912497812

The House of One Hundred Clocks

When Helena’s father gets a new job, it takes them away from London and the life she knows. Taking Orbit the parrot, her constant reminder of her deceased mother, with her, Helena prepares for a new life in Cambridge. However, her father’s new job is not as simple as it seems and the house they are now living in is not only full of clocks, but full of mystery too. In their bid for a new life, will they end up losing everything?

I loved A M Howell’s first book, ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’ and ‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ was no disappointment. Inspired by the clock collection of Frederic Gershom Parkington, it is a fascinating story full of description, detail and colour. The atmosphere in the house is decidedly eerie with family mystery and heartache threatening to take everything from Helena and her father should the clocks falter.

Grief at the loss of a loved one permeates the story yet the girls find solace and strength in their new friendship and work together to make things better. The villain of the piece comes as a surprise, but encourages the reader to think about questions of inequality and how people are treated can make them act in certain ways. Orbit is a delight- a little flash of mischief and humour!

‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ is an atmospheric, enchanting read, perfect for sharing and reading aloud. Can’t wait to read it to a class!

The House of One Hundred Clocks

A M Howell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474959568

Bone Talk

Living high in the mountains of the Philippines in 1899, Samkad's world is his tribe, his village. Now he is about the have the Cut and become a man. He is desperate to play his part in keeping the tribe safe from their enemy, the head-hunting Mangili, even if it means he will no longer be able to enjoy a good scrap with his friend, a girl called Little Luki. But soon Samkad's life is turned upside down. The manhood ritual he has been eagerly awaiting goes wrong, leaving him confused, and his father leaves the village to locate family Samkad barely knows. When he returns, he brings with him a strange white man, an American with different ways and different ideas. As more Americans appear, things for Samkad and his tribe will never be the same again.

I am ashamed to admit that I knew nothing of the Philippine-American War before reading Bone Talk, nor of the people of the Cordilleras. Candy Gourlay has skilfully blended history and narrative to create a fascinating, compelling story which respectfully explores the traditions and beliefs of the people of Bontok. Their treatment at the hands of the Americans is painful reading; their callous exploitation and mocking of the tribe is starkly portrayed and is all the more poignant for being seen through the puzzled eyes of Samkad.

The story is full of well developed characters. Little Luki is my favourite; feisty, determined and loyal, she defies the tribe's conventions about the role of women and plays a truly heroic role. In contrast, for Samkad, the traditions of his people are not to be questioned. His longing to be a great warrior like his father, to please the ancients and the ancestors, are all evident, yet he is also impulsive and quick tempered when these values are threatened. Kinyo is also an intriguing character; his fascination with the Americans, his initial wish to distance himself from his own people, offer a contrast to Samkad and Luki's suspicions.

The settings in the book are brilliantly described, celebrating the natural beauty of the world. Bone Talk is an amazing story, combining breathtaking adventure with historical detail. The perfect read for inquiring minds!

Bone Talk Candy Gourlay

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788450171

Moth: An Evolution Story

The peppered moth story is a famous example of natural selection and this beautiful book vividly brings it to life. Until the early 1800s, most of these moths were light with peppered wings, with a very rare dark variety. The moths’ wings help them to lie camouflaged on lichen-covered branches; however, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and its pollution, the reverse became true. The darker variety became dominant as through natural selection, the darker moths were better adapted to their environment. As laws to reduce air pollution have been passed, the lichens have grown back and the light moths have returned and now both varieties can be seen.

This book is a real gift to the Y6 teacher when teaching the Science P of S strand : to identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution. The story of the moth is told clearly, effortlessly explaining the ‘science bit’ and encouraging the reader to go and look for these wonderful creatures. A message of hope - hope for survival, hope for adaptation and hope for change. More detailed notes are included at the end, including the Latin name (Linnaeus’s binomial system!).

In addition to the fascinating text the book is lavishly illustrated with stunning illustrations. From the stunning moth emerging from its cocoon to the dangers of predators to the menacing pollution to the cleaner skies, each spread is just gorgeous.

‘Moth’ is both fascinating and beautiful- and an excellent resource for school! The perfect mix of art and science, it’s a real must have!

Moth: An Evolution Story Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egneus

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1408889756

Coming to England-An Inspiring True Story About the Windrush Generation

‘Coming to England’ is the true story of how Baroness Floella Benjamin left Trinidad and came to London as part of the Windrush generation. Having seen an advert in the newspaper, Floella’s Dardie decided to go to England to be a jazz musician, leaving Floella, her siblings and their mother in Trinidad. Their lives continued happily until a year later when Marmie left with her littlest sister and brother to join their father, leaving Floella and her sister Sandra to live with their ‘wicked’ aunt. At last it was their turn to pack and leave with their brothers for England.

First published in the 90s as a novel (I have two copies- both of which have been ‘borrowed’!) and then as a picture book illustrated by Michael Frith, Floella Benjamin’s inspirational story has been re-told for younger children, beautifully illustrated by Diane Ewen. Both pictures and text vividly convey the joy of her early life on the island of Trinidad with her large, lively family, offering much to discuss and find out about.

The children’s journey to England, the mischief they got up to and the worries they had about their new life saw them at last reunited with the rest of their family. The sense of family love is beautifully conveyed, starkly contrasting with the prejudice they faced from Londoners and the changes in circumstance they had to get used to.

Floella’s message is clear- hard work leads to a better life. The child in Trinidad who dreamt of meeting the Queen is shown achieving her dream when receiving an OBE in 2001.

Accessible and interesting autobiographies for younger children are not easily come by and this is a wonderful example to enjoy and share. It might encourage children to ask questions of their parents/ grandparents about their childhood, sharing family stories and history.

I am one of Floella’s ‘Play School Babies’ and so was very excited to meet her at Hay Festival with Jemima and Humpty a couple of years ago. She is every bit as lovely as I always imagined.

Coming to England - An Inspiring True Story About the Windrush Generation

Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Diane Ewen

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529009415

Genie and Teeny Make a Wish

When Grant the Genie is cast out of the Genie World for an accident involving Queen Mizelda, his lamp is damaged and he needs to find somewhere new to live. Having settled into a convenient teapot, Grant meets Teeny, a lost puppy, and the two become best friends. However, they are kidnapped by the very purple-loving and very evil Lavinia Lavender, who has a cunning plan to win the big dancing dog show, beating her old rival. Can a genie who is not very good at making wishes come true save the day?

‘Genie and Teeny Make a Wish’ is the first in a new series which Steven has both written and illustrated. The book is an explosion of the most wonderful pictures, making it instantly appealing. There are even little stars round the right hand side page numbers! The story is written in a chatty, light-hearted tone, often directly appealing to the reader and engaging them with the story. Grant’s magic wishy word is an instant giggle inspirer and will no doubt be adopted by many!

The fact that Grant, a magical being who you would expect to get things right, often makes mistakes is very reassuring and makes a great starting point for discussions around not having to be perfect or live up to impossible expectations. He keeps trying, does his best and everything works out in the end.

There is much fun to be had with the story as well. Children would really enjoy designing Grant a new home in various different containers- a watering can, perhaps, or a kettle - and thinking of hats to add to his collection. There is a page at the beginning of the book for children (or adults!) to list their three (you can’t wish for more wishes so don’t even bother trying) wishes which makes a perfect starting point for perhaps fulfilling some of these and enjoying the idea of others- some wishes should be just for dreaming, I think! As ever, Steven encourages children to have a go at drawing with a step by step guide for drawing Grant at the end of the book and a special page for their picture, encouraging the artist to share their work on social media.

Brilliantly illustrated and full of fun, ‘Genie and Teeny Make a Wish’ is a magical treat, perfect for sharing. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next!.

Genie and Teeny: Make a Wish Steven Lenton

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008408206

Welcome to our World

Welcome to our World

Customs, traditions, culture and languages from all round the world are celebrated in this wonderful book.

The introduction explains that we are all different, but all have things in common. It encourages the reader to make friends with others, to have fun, to share what is different and what is the same. It encourages them to have a go at other languages, using the pronunciation guide in the book, looking them up online or trying to hear them 'spoken by a native speaker' It promotes a sense of excitement and discovery which permeates the whole book.

From greetings to mealtimes, from family to pets, school to clothing, this joyous book explores all areas of life, asking questions of the reader along the way. 'What special hats do people wear in your country?', 'How do you get to school?', 'Do you have any clothes you like to wear for special occasions?'. 

There is so much in this book which could be used in school. The section on playtime games called 'My Turn!' would be great fun to try out and build upon to create a bank of alternative games for playtime. Drinks and recipes from around the world could be made and tried, encouraging everyone who has a favourite to share it with their friends. 

The illustrations are wonderful- full of joy and colour- adding to the appeal of this lovely book.

Welcome to our World   

Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Harriet Lynas

Nosy Crow     ISBN: 978-1788001373

The Barnabus Project

Half elephant and half mouse, Barnabus is not quite perfect.  As only Perfect Pets are wanted, he is hidden away in a secret lab with the other Failed Projects. He dreams of seeing the world outside his tiny bell jar, places which Pip the cockroach tells him and the others about. When he learns he is to be ‘improved’ by being recycled, Barnabus doesn’t want to be made fluffier or given bigger eyes- he wants to be himself. With lots of teamwork and courage, he and the other Failed Projects escape and find their own place in the world.

Utterly adorable, Barnabus will capture both your attention and your heart. The story sends a clear message about the importance of being yourself, valuing who you are, not changing to conform to the ideals of others and finding your place in the world. It is perfect for starting conversations and challenging ideas about conventional notions of beauty or worth. Even when the other Failed Projects are frightened of what they discover in the most secret part of the secret lab, Barnabus reminds them that everyone should be valued and that they should all stick together.

The illustrations are stunning. Lift the beautiful dust jacket and the cover is like a blackboard covered in formulae and calculations. Each spread is full of details to notice and enjoy- are Wilke’s Paperclips something I should know about?! The Fan Bothers are amazingly talented, both at illustration and capturing poignant, heart warming stories perfectly.

‘The Barnabus Project’ lends itself beautifully to being at the heart of quality English work. There are so many points at which both illustration and text could be further explored through drama, discussion and writing in role to inspire artwork, poetry, stories, characters… and planning is currently being developed. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece!

The Barnabus Project The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711249448