Wisdom of the Woods

‘Wisdom of the Woods’ is a beautiful treasury, offering forty poems which celebrate the joys and the wonders of nature. Set in the world of Brown Bear Wood, the poems pass the wisdom of Nature’s ancient laws to the next generation.

Gathered into eight different sections, the poems explore a wealth of topics, including pollination, evergreens, fungi, grass, chlorophyll… Rachel Piercey does not ‘dumb down’ her writing and as a result, the poems are not only informative and enjoyable, but richly written, using a wide vocabulary. A glossary at the end of the book offers support with clear explanations of the scientific terms used- metamorphic, lenticel, omnivore- but there is also a sense of whimsy and joy in the poems which mange to combine learning and fun so successfully!

The book is the perfect size for taking on expeditions through the woods where they can be enjoyed and used to spark investigations in the heart of the habitat they are celebrating. For teachers, this book is perfect for enriching the curriculum either by using the poems as starting points for exploration or for enjoying at story times or as part of an assembly. Each work is accompanied by delightful illustrations, each a mini-masterpiece!

From its gorgeous cover to the last page, ‘Wisdom of the Woods’ is an absolute joy!

Brown Bear Wood: Wisdom of the Woods

Rachel Piercey, illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569615

NNFN2024: An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing

Written by BBC presenter and fishing expert Will Millard, ‘An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing’ offers everything a young angler needs to know. First hand experience, tips and anecdotes make it a very accessible and appealing read to guide those new to the activity and support those looking to develop their skill, making it a perfect read for NNFN2024!

So much information is included from which tackle to choose to the different rods available, from which knots to use to the types of bait on offer. There is also a fish-identification guide and, importantly, advice on how to look after any fish which are caught and how to return them safely to the water. There is a real emphasis throughout the book on the responsibilities of those who fish and the fact that it is a privilege, not a right, to pursue this pastime.

The book is very attractively presented, with plenty of illustrations, and step-by-step instruction to support any reader contemplating becoming an angler. Labelled diagrams are used for clarification and there is a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book. Written in a very direct, accessible style, ‘An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing’ makes an excellent and enjoyable companion to this hobby.

An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing

Will Millard, illustrated by Joanna Lisowiec

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569288

Fly: A child’s guide to birds and how to spot them

In the same series as ‘Glow: A child’s guide to the night sky’ and ‘Grow: A first guide to plants and how to grow them’, ‘Fly: A child’s guide to birds and how to spot them’ is another beautifully presented book from Magic Cat which seeks to engage children with the beauty and wonder of the world around them.

David Lindo, the Urban Birder, takes the reader on a journey of discovery, sharing his fascination with birds and seeking to engage the next generation of bird lovers. Each section focuses on an element relating to birds- feathers, wings, migration, various habitats- and introduces a specific bird in relation to this before looking at other birds and adaptations. There is also an ‘around the world’ section in which the author delves into the world of folklore and mythology, showing how cultures across the ages have been inspired by birds.

The book is beautifully presented with a clear introduction to each section, labelled diagrams and fact boxes. A clear glossary supports comprehension of technical terms whilst the contents page allows the reader to both browse for interest and locate specific information. Beautifully illustrated and packed with fascinating information, this book is sure to be a real hit with bird lovers and offer an amazing introduction for those who wish to know more.

Fly: A child’s guide to birds and how to spot them

David Lindo, illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows

Magic Cat    ISBN: 978-1915569295

You can read my review of ‘Glow’ here and ‘The Extraordinary World of Birds’ by David Lindo here.

Picture a Poem: Hope is the Thing with Feathers

‘Hope is the Thing with Feathers’ is a poem written by American poet, Emily Dickinson, and published in 1891. In it, she compares hope to a bird, found singing even in the darkest times, and never asking for a thing in return, a reminder of what a powerful thing hope is.

This is the first in a new series called ‘Picture a Poem’ from Magic Cat which uses stunning illustrations to introduce young readers to a world of wonderful poetry. In this book, Tim Hopgood’s lively, colourful pictures support understanding of the poem, opening doors for plenty of discussion about Emily Dickinson’s words and the power of hope and as well as introducing the idea of metaphor without even mentioning the term! Children will enjoy spotting the bird on each page, following its travels through the pictures, bravely singing whatever the weather.

A short biography of Emily Dickinson is included at the end of the book, offering the perfect starting point for further investigation of her life and work, a brief explanation of the poem and a glossary of some of the terms used. All of this supports, not only a child reading independently, but a parent or teacher who wants to share the poem with their class. The final page shows the poem presented as plain text, allowing the reader to see the lines without illustrations.

Bringing the joy of poetry to younger children in this way is a wonderful idea, a gentle way of familiarising them with poems they are sure to return to, remember and enjoy as they grow. The benefits of a series like this to older children and adults should not be underestimated either. I can’t wait for the next title which is to be a poem from Benjamin Zephaniah.

Picture a Poem: Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Emily Dickinson, illustrated by Tim Hopgood

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569196

Published 29th February

The Christmas Songbook

‘The Christmas Songbook’ is a lovely way of introducing children to some traditional festive favourites. A simple rhyming story about a family of mice preparing for Christmas sets the scene for each song and the lovely illustrations offer plenty to discuss and enjoy.

On each page is a star which, when pressed, plays a jaunty rendition of the opening lines of the carol. A simplified score for each song with the words are included, encouraging young musicians to play and sing along. Children are sure to quickly identify their favourites and perhaps learn some which are new to them!

At the end of the book, there are notes about the history of each song which is a really thoughtful addition, giving an extra insight into the development and origin of the song selection. The book is pleasingly sturdy and only a gentle touch on the stars is needed to play the tune, making them perfect for little fingers.

Perfect for the festive season!

The Christmas Songbook: Sing Along to Eight Classic Carols

Illustrated by Amy Adele

Magic Cat ISBN: ‎ 978-1915569035

NNFN2023: The Handbook of Forgotten Skills

Packed full of engaging and stimulating ideas and activities, ‘The Handbook of Forgotten Skills’ would make a wonderful gift for any child. There is much here which reminds me of my own childhood- and anything which encourages children to spend time away from computer screens and engage in simple, purposeful pursuits is surely a good thing!

The book is beautifully presented with a short introduction to each topic setting the scene and offering a little background on the subject. Clear, step-by-step instructions accompany each activity with illustrations to support the reader’s understanding. The book is brimming with the simple pleasure gained from spending time with family making, mending, exploring -and learning without realising!

Whether you enjoy- or fancy having a go at- baking, gardening, skipping stones or a multitude of other skills, this book is invaluable! Perfect for dipping in and out of , there is so much fun to be had in these pages!

The Handbook of Forgotten Skills

Elaine Baptiste and Natalie Crowley, illustrated by Chris Duriez

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1913520847

Glow: a child’s guide to the night sky

This beautifully presented book offers a fabulous combination of ancient and modern, science and story, resulting in a completely absorbing and informative read. The opening note from the author instantly fires the reader with her enthusiasm for, and interest in, the night sky and all the wonders it contains.

A clear table of contents makes it easy for the reader to locate the fifteen different topics covered, each with a sub-heading referring to it as the ‘hero of…’ something. This intriguing note is sure to spark curiosity in itself and once the reader has located the pages they have chosen, there is so much to discover! Information is clearly presented in accessible sections with clear headings and plenty of attractive illustrations. The reader is treated to a ‘brief history’ of each planet/star/celestial body where they can discover some of the fascinating myths, legends and beliefs from around the world which it has inspired. The book also offers guidance on how to locate the planet in the night sky- there is so much to enjoy here!

Written in a chatty, engaging tone, ‘Glow’ makes a challenging subject completely accessible and enjoyable. It would make an excellent addition to any book collection to support children learning about space in school, but is also perfect non-fiction to inspire reading for pleasure.

Glow: A Child’s Guide to the Night Sky

Noelia Gonzalez, illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1913520786

Over the Rainbow

Everyone loves seeing a rainbow, arcing through the sky, and this lovely book encapsulates all the magic and joy of this sight, from the science behind it to the symbolism connected with it! Organised into five sections-The Science of Rainbows, Rare Rainbows, Rainbow Myths and Legends, Rainbows in the Arts and The Symbol of the Rainbow- a broad spectrum of information is covered with a clear contents, a glossary of terms and index to help the reader easily locate and understand everything included.

The book begins by offering ‘a close look at light’, using this as the basis to explain how rainbows are formed. Diagrams help to support the text and illustrate the facts as each idea is developed. Early thinkers from across the world are included, showing how human understanding of rainbows progressed and advanced to Newton’s experiments with prisms in 1666. Unusual rainbow formations are introduced and explained as well, making fascinating reading!

My favourite section is that which looks at the myths and legends connected with rainbows. Beautiful illustrations by Wenjia Tang capture moments from these stories whilst additional snippets of information are scattered throughout. The chapter devoted to the arts is also very interesting; however, it is a shame no poetry has been referenced! The book ends with how the rainbow has been used as a symbol in stories and society.

An excellent book for reading cover to cover, for browsing at leisure or for using as a tool for research, ‘Over the Rainbow’ would be a brilliant addition to any library or bookshelf!

Over the Rainbow: The Science, Magic and Meaning of Rainbows

Rachael Davis, illustrated by Wenjia Tang

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838740870

Celebrate with Me!

This wonderful book is a real celebration of creative people and their favourite festivals. Each of the twenty five contributors explains why the festival they have chosen is special to them, and how they celebrate it. Alongside this information, they offer some of the recipes and activities they use to help the celebrations. It is an absolute joy to read and is sure to inspire families- and schools- to both understand and enjoy many celebrations from across the world!

A comprehensive contents page lays out a year of celebrations, starting with the New Year and closing with New Year’s Eve. Following this, there are pages devoted to ‘Birthdays around the World’, ‘More Fun With Festivals’ and mini biographies, including social media and website links, about those who have contributed to the book. This makes locating a particular celebration very easy as well as telling the reader who the section is written by and why they enjoy the occasion so much. Learning about festivals from those who actually take part in them is so important as it offers a genuine feel for the occasion and a real understanding of the significance of these events in peoples’ lives. It also enables children to see themselves and their cultures, traditions and religious beliefs appreciated, one alongside another, each valued, each celebrated.

The book includes an excellent mixture of well known and lesser known events. Each section is presented across a colourful, double page spread with plenty of illustrations. Baker and food justice advocate, Michael Platt, shares information about Juneteenth which commemorates the 19th June 1865, the date when news that slavery had been outlawed reached the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. He offers a recipe for a watermelon and tomato salad and shows how to make a Juneteenth flag, explaining the significance of the imagery and colours used. Dow Phumiruk, children’s author and illustrator, shares her joy for celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year. She has chosen to share a recipe for a delicious Thai-style Congee (a type of savoury, soupy porridge made from rice) and explains how to ask your elders for blessings. Architect and artist, Nick Wood, shares his excitement for Bonfire Night, explaining how to make ‘Marshmallow Sparkers’ and how to build a bonfire- a crafty one, if not a real one!

The illustrations capture the joy of sharing these special occasions perfectly, making the book as visually appealing as the activities are inspiring. The book is an absolutely essential addition to libraries, book corners and homes. Laura Gladwin, the book’s editor, will be joining us at this year’s Federation of Children’s Book Groups’ Conference and I can’t wait to learn more about how this gem of a book came about. I am sure that many book groups at a local level will be using some of these activities to inspire and celebrate with their members! An excellent resource and a pleasure to read!

Celebrate with Me! Recipes, Crafts and Holiday Fun from Around the World

Edited by Laura Gladwin, illustrated by Dawn M Cardona

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1913520601

Shakespeare for Everyone

‘Shakespeare for Everyone’ is an informative and accessible read which helps the reader learn about the man, his works and the time he lived in.

Starting with his early life, the book then sets Shakespeare in historical context, explaining that although he lived during the reign of two monarchs, most people think of him as being Elizabethan rather than Jacobean. Information is organised into easily digestible chunks with plenty of additional fact boxes and relevant quotes from Shakespeare’s work along the way.

The book then continues with considering development of the theatre at this time, the lives of actors and their troupes before moving on to looking at ‘Shakespeare in Print’. Here, Shakespeare’s ‘lost years’ are referred to and the author explores what might have occurred during those years before explaining how his name came to be associated with other works.

Summarising Shakespeare’s achievements, the author then looks more closely at Shakespeare as a writer, showing how his plays tend to be grouped into categories- as well as considering the ‘problem plays’, those which don’t quite fit into any of these categories. Each genre is then explored in greater depth with the general themes and characters of each highlighted before using specific plays to illustrate the use of devices such as the hero’s flaw or greed. How language is used is explored as well as the fact that Shakespeare would have used existing books to inspire his own writing. The author even considers how his source material would have influence his historical plays. My one criticism here is that by saying ‘there are now societies in England dedicated to restoring Richard III’s reputation and debunking Shakespeare’s unfair portrayal’, the author suggests that this has happened since the discovery of Richard III’s body in 2012 whereas The Richard III Society has been working to secure a more balanced assessment of the king since 1924 and there is an American society as well. ‘Shakespeare for Everyone’ also looks at his poetry, including the sonnets and the identity of the ‘dark lady’ and the young man they were addressed to.

Posing the question ‘Was Shakespeare real?’, the book then explores this controversial and hotly-debated topic, looking at the arguments for and against three of the seventy-seven possible candidates which have been suggested as writers of the work attributed to Shakespeare.

The book ends with considering Shakespeare’s legacy and the future of his work. From paintings to ballets to films loosely based on Shakespearian themes, there is no doubting that his writing has inspired many since his death and continues to do so.

With Shakespeare studied at both KS3 and 4, this book makes an excellent, accessible introduction to his life and work, whilst supporting learning of specific themes or plays. However, it would also make an excellent guided reading text for children in Year 6, helping them to explore the time Shakespeare lived in as well as sparking an interest in his writing. The glossary is full of carefully explained terms and the illustrations are engaging and colourful, adding to the book’s appeal.

Entertaining and engaging, ‘Shakespeare for Everyone’ is a must-have for anyone wanting to find out more about the man and his work.

Shakespeare for Everyone

Emma Roberts, illustrated by Sarah Tanat Jones

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1913520465