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

The Extraordinary World of Birds

David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder, shares his fascination for birds in this absorbing book about our feathered friends. ‘The Extraordinary World of Birds’ is divided into five sections: What is a bird?; Bird Families; Bird Behaviour; Bird Habitats and Birds and Me. The detailed index is perfect for enabling readers to locate specific information and the glossary explains some of the technical vocabulary used.

The ‘What is a bird?’ section not only explains what birds are, but also offers information about how they fly, the nests they build, their eggs and diet. It also contains a fascinating spread on some record breaking birds, like the peregrine falcon- not only the fastest bird, but the fastest animal in the world.

The next section explains how all of the world’s species of birds can be grouped into different families based on characteristics they share. Packed full of amazing information, there is so much to learn here- and so much to look out for when appreciating the birds around us. The book is illustrated with a mixture of photographs and drawings, making each spread very appealing.

As well as being perfect for children to enjoy at home, there is much here which supports learning in science and geography. Different biomes and habitats are explored as well as adaptations birds have made to survive. The impact of climate change is also considered.

The final section, ‘Birds and Me’, looks at our relationship with these fascinating creatures and what we can do to help them thrive. A spread on birding offers helpful tips to those who might be inspired to give it a go! The book also looks at national birds which countries have adopted, some unofficially.

Sure to inspire an interest in these incredible creatures, ‘The Extraordinary World of Birds’ is a fascinating and informative read.

The Extraordinary World of Birds

David Lindo, illustrated by Claire McElfatrick

DK ISBN: 978-0241529058

Around the World in…

‘Around the World in 80 Trees’ celebrates the role played by trees across the Earth, starting with general information about the different types of tree and the parts which they share. Apparently, there are more than 60,000 different tree species and the book selects 80 of these from across the world to focus on. A gatefold in the centre of the book opens to reveal all of these 80 trees, showing how they relate to one another. For children learning about classification keys in Year 4 and Year 6 Science, this is very useful and the book might also support them when working scientifically to observe, identify and categorise the trees in their local environment.

The trees are organised in ‘continent’ sections, starting with a map of that region showing where the named trees are located. Snippets of text about each tree includes information about related myths and legends, statistics as well as how the tree is used by creatures and humans. It is a fascinating read, perfect for dipping in and out of or for reading in one sitting and returning to again and again.

A picture of each tree is included and the information about certain trees, like cherry and river red gum are presented as a two page spread, with additional illustrations. The book ends with a reminder about the importance of trees and how we can help them.

Beautifully presented, with contents and index, this is a book which will tempt children to explore the trees of the world.

Around the World in 80 Trees

Ben Lerwill, illustrated by Kaja Kajfez

Welbeck Editions ISBN: 978-1913519360

Also in the series is ‘Around the World in 80 Musical Instruments’. Focusing on the fact that music is something people all over the world have in common, this lovely book is organised into sections relating to how instruments make their sounds. Once again, there is a gatefold in the centre, showing how everything is related, although it offers the cautionary note that it’s not a perfect system for instruments!

Additional spreads focus on related topics such as the orchestra or the human voice and there is a page in each section- percussion, stringed and wind- suggesting how you might make your own instrument of this type. There are many instruments to discover and which might lead to further investigation by budding musicians!

Once again, the attractive format and appealing illustrations are sure to make this book a hit in schools and at home!

Around the World in 80 Musical Instruments

Nancy Dickmann, illustrated by Sue Downing

Welbeck Editions ISBN: 978-1913519353

Out on 14th April 2022

Tales of Ancient Worlds: Adventures in Archaeology

Bringing the world of the archaeologist to life, ‘Tales of the Ancient World’ is sure to bring out the Indiana Jones in every reader! Starting with an explanation of what archaeology is, the enthusiasm of the author, Stefan Milosavljevich, is infectious as he leads the reader through some incredible discoveries from the ancient world made by archaeologists.

‘Tales of Ancient Worlds’ covers many areas focused on in the history curriculum for KS2- the Stone Age, the Maya, the Indus Valley and Ancient Egypt amongst others- offering additional interest and details for children to discover. It would be a great addition to book corners, libraries or topic boxes, enabling children to explore different discoveries and to inspire archaeologists of the future or to spark an interest in a new area.

The book offers a fascinating mix of well known finds such as the terracotta warriors and Stonehenge with lesser known stories like the warrior of Bover or the city at the bottom of the ocean, Thonis-Heracleion. The discovery of each site is explained and changes in archaeological methods explored, acknowledging mistakes of the past and the importance of combining local knowledge with scientific methods.

Written in a chatty, accessible style, ‘Tales of Ancient Worlds’ also has a clear glossary of terms, a detailed index and contents, making it easy to locate information on particular topics. Each spread is fully illustrated with drawings by Sam Caldwell, including maps showing where in the world the discoveries were made.

Need to get this into school as soon as possible!

Tales of Ancient Worlds: Adventures in Archaeology

Stefan Milosavljevich, illustrated by Sam Caldwell

Neon Squid ISBN: 978-1838991562

The Magic of Seasons: A Fascinating Guide to Seasons Around the World

‘The Magic of Seasons’ is a wonderful book, perfect for curious children and adults alike, who would like to know more about the seasons. Starting by answering the question ‘what is a season?’, Vicky Woodgate, with the help of her cat, Mimi, then offers the reader a very practical and informative guide to this fascinating topic.

Offering many links to the curriculum, particularly geography and science, this book would be a valuable addition to class and school libraries. Each spread is well written and explanations are made in clear, concise chunks, often accompanied by illustrations which support the text. Fascinating - and occasionally, quirky- facts are scattered throughout, adding to the appeal. There are also quizzes for the reader to test their growing knowledge with along the way.

I particularly enjoyed the ‘History, Myths and Customs’ section, which introduces the reader to beliefs and traditions from across the world. Here the reader can find out about Zhulong the Candle Dragon, the Bulgarian festival of Baba Marta, the Gregorian calendar… a wealth of information which could lead to further investigation and discovery!

Sections of the book could be used for Guided Reading sessions, perhaps as pre-learning or to enhance lessons in other curricular areas. The comprehensive glossary, index and contents pages also offer opportunities for teaching and practising research skills.

‘The Magic of Seasons’ is an excellent introduction to the wealth of fascinating facts and folklore about these natural wonders!

The Magic of Seasons: A Fascinating Guide to Seasons Around the World

Vicky Woodgate

DK ISBN: 978-0241533482

Little People, Big Dreams

I love the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series. The books themselves are beautifully produced with cloth bound spines and colourful covers and look fantastic lined up together on the shelf. Each title focuses on the life of an inspirational individual from authors to artists, from scientists to sportspeople. The books are so relatable, starting as they do with the individual’s childhood, the big dreams they once had and how they managed to overcome adversity in the pursuit of these.

Four recent additions to the series are Pablo Picasso, Gloria Steinem, Amanda Gorman and Nelson Mandela. Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, each is illustrated by a different artist and includes a timeline with photographs at the end. These biographies are accessible as well as informative, making an excellent addition to any library offering a wide and diverse range of people. Some- like those on Picasso and Mandela- might support the curriculum whilst others are perfect for introducing children to significant figures they might not otherwise have heard of.

I hope there are many more titles in this series to come!

Pablo Picasso Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Teresa Bellon

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 978-0711259485

Gloria Steinem Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Lucila Perini

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 978-0711270732

Amanda Gorman Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Queenbe Monyei

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 978-0711270695

Nelson Mandela Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Alison Hawkins

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 978- 0711257894

The Big Book of Festivals

The Big Book of Festivals is a fabulous introduction to some of the world’s most incredible cultural and religious festivities. The book includes some of the world’s largest, best-known celebrations, but also sheds light on some smaller, regional festivals- each fascinating and special.

People have been celebrating special occasions for thousands of years and countless festivals are marked across the globe. Any teacher will tell you that festivals and celebrations are a great way for children to make connections, recognise similarities and accept differences as they learn about how people in other countries and regions as well as those of differing faiths celebrate special occasions. This book offers a wealth of material to be explored and enjoyed and deserves a place in every classroom!

The book is lavishly illustrated with a cast of children introduced at the beginning for the reader to look out for as they read. The section on Remarkable Regional Festivals introduces the reader to the wonders of La Merce Festival, where amongst other activities, people compete to create human castles- castells- or the floating lights of Yi Peng and Loi Krathong, two closely related yet different traditions in Thailand. Some might have heard of seasonal festivals like the beauty of Hanami, viewing the cherry blossom in Japan or Groundhog Day in North America, the Icelandic midwinter celebration of Thorrablot or Nowruz, an Iranian festival marking the first day of spring and the new year might not be so familiar.

Perfect for dipping in and out of or for more focused research, ‘The Big Book of Festivals’ makes a fascinating read.

The Big Book of Festivals Marita Bullock and Joan-Maree Hargreaves

illustrated by Liz Rowland

Faber ISBN: 978-0571370221

Epic Adventures: Explore the World in 12 Amazing Train Journeys

Train journeys are as varied as the world…

Co-author of the ‘Adventures on Trains’ series, Sam Sedgman, has written ‘Epic Adventures’ a fabulous new book which explores twelve of the world’s most exciting real-life railway trips, capturing the wonder of travel-and the story told by each rail journey.

A map of the world shows the start and end point of each rail journey as well as its location. Additional information is also included throughout the book on related topics like epic engineering and abandoned stations. There is also a spread focusing on how Britain is a nation shaped by railways, looking at the development from Stevenson’s Rocket to the present day.

Sam Sedgman has chosen twelve of the world’s most fascinating rail trips, offering a whistle-stop tour of each. Each spread is has been brilliantly illustrated by Sam Brewster, whose use of colour and detail is a real joy. So much detail is packed into each page with snippets about the history, culture and people of each place as well as statistics about each journey.

Some of these trips are ones which have featured in the ‘Adventures on Trains’ books, offering further background and detail about each train and its setting, but the book is brilliant for anyone who loves trains, travel or both, allowing the reader to follow the very route the train takes. The text is respectful to indigenous cultures and peoples and makes very clear the motivations behind the development of railways across the world during the British Empire.

I am going to buy my dad a copy of ‘Epic Adventures’ as I know he will love it and my husband has currently ‘borrowed’ my copy. I’m hoping he’s planning a trip!

Epic Adventures: Explore the World in 12 Amazing Train Journeys

Sam Sedgman, illustrated by Sam Brewster

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529065657

Published 17th February 2022

You can read my review of ‘Sabotage on the Solar Express’ here.

Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Explorers

The ‘Corpse Talk’ series is incredibly popular at school, with a constant stream of children waiting to borrow the next title as soon as it is returned. Accessible and entertaining, the format is perfect for introducing children to figures from history. With previous collections about royalty, authors, rebels and scientists, many of the biographies included are perfect for supporting learning across the curriculum.

‘Explorers’ is the latest book in the series, offering a fantastic range of adventurous men and women and their achievements. With explorers a popular thematic study for KS2 history, the biographies here both support and extend children’s learning in this area. Shackleton is also a popular figure with William Grill’s ‘Shackleton’s Journey’ often being used as a key text in Year 6. The ‘interview’ in this book could easily be used alongside this- or simply made available for children to read at their leisure.

Although told in graphic format, the text used is challenging, clearly alleviating any concerns which might be held about using this type of text in school. The book seeks to question and clarify possible preconceptions and misconceptions which are held about some of these figures, discussing the ‘violence, disease and exploitation’ which accompanied many of these explorers’ activities and rightly challenging commonly held ‘facts’ about Columbus and others. The final pages show the route of each explorer on a map. ‘Explorers’ would make an enjoyable guided reading text as well as a perfect addition to the library.

Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Explorers Adam and Lisa Murphy

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452014

Cool Technology

The ‘Cool’ series is incredibly popular at school with children eagerly seeking one which they haven’t read. From Architecture to Astronomy, from Maths to Mythology, there is a book in this fact-packed, accessible series that offers the perfect introduction to the subject.

Released on the 13th January, ‘Cool Technology’ is the latest addition to the series and is every bit as absorbing as the others. Starting with a technology timeline, the book starts with the earliest technological advances of the Stone Age- tools, needles and rope- and travels all the way to the possibilities of technology of the future. The information is clearly and concisely presented in bite-sized chunks, giving enough information to both satisfy and to spark curiosity and lead to further investigation.

The book also includes mini-biographies of some significant figures who made particular contributions to technological advancements. Clearly acknowledging the moveable type invented decades previously in China and Korea, the author focuses on how Gutenberg’s press took off in Europe, enabling far more people to have access to books. Annie Easley is another example whose work and achievements are celebrated in this book.

There are also experiments and activities included which link to the information in the text. How to draw pixel art and how to have a go at potato print moveable type are just a couple of the activities suggested. There are plenty of illustrations throughout the book to add to the appeal!

There is so much in this book which supports the curriculum as well as satisfying curiosity and answering questions. Links can be made with History, Science and sustainability as well as art and computing. Perfect for school or home, ‘Cool Technology’ is another winner!

Cool Technology Jenny Jacoby, illustrated by Jem Venn

Pavilion ISBN: 978-1843655152

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Having witnessed the cruelty of bile extraction from a bear when she was a child, Chang grew up determined to become a wildlife conservationist and do all she could to protect animals and the rainforest. Although her dreams are met with ridicule and are dismissed by others, Chang persists and is at last accepted to a volunteer at the Cat Tien National Park. Here, she learns to care for rescued creatures, both here and at the Bear Rescue Centre where she also worked. Whilst here, she is introduced to Sorya, a sun bear, captured from a forest in Laos. Unlike other bears at the centre, this orphaned cub has a good chance of learning to fend for herself and being released back into the wild. Chang is put in charge of teaching her the survival skills she will need and is determined to help Sorya return to the wild. When she feels Sorya is ready, Chang faces her toughest challenge yet- letting Sorya go and live the life she was meant to live.

This is such a powerful story. Told in a chatty tone, the book is based on the true story of Trang Nguyen, a Vietnamese wildlife conservationist and environmental activist, whose own life was changed when she accidentally witnessed a moon bear having bile extracted and on the lives of real bears, Sorya and Pola, a moon bear. The book is rich in facts about these amazing creatures and the important role they play in the forest as well as the cruelty of the poachers and those who extract the bear’s bile for the medicine trade.

The illustrations are stunning and the graphic novel format engaging and absorbing. Lush scenes of the rainforest are rich in detail and colour whilst ‘pages’ from Chang’s notebook are shown in sepia. There are so many beautiful spreads to enjoy as Sorya’s story unfolds.

This powerful and moving story would make the perfect basis for an assembly or to broaden children’s understanding of conservation work and the dangers faced by creatures around the world. Gill Lewis’s unforgettable book, ‘Moon Bear’ is also about bear bile farming and would offer further reading for those who wish to develop their understanding of this cruel practice and perhaps be inspired to take action against it.

An excellent addition to any library or bookshelf, ‘Saving Sorya’ is an empowering and inspiring story.

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Trang Nguyen, illustrated by Jeet Zdung

Macmillan ISBN: 978-0753446591