Dearest One

Imagine the words your grandmother might say if she wrote you a letter…

Full of positive, loving words of comfort and advice, ‘Dearest One’ is such a special book. Each spread offers a gem of wisdom -dare to smile…choose your path…remember who you are- and then expands on this.

Every section is accompanied by a vibrant illustration, reflecting the meaning of the words. As each is shared, there is much to discuss and explore whatever the age of the child to help them navigate the pleasures and sorrows life offers. There is a real sense of the healing power of love in this shared wisdom which is both uplifting and soothing.

Children might also enjoy creating their own illustrations for each sentiment or creating their own book with an adult using pieces of advice they choose together. Some might also be inspired to discover who their ancestors are and find out more about family stories and traditions.

Another gem from Lantana!

Dearest One Arielle Dance, illustrated by Jenny Duke

Lantana ISBN: 978-1913747800

We Sang Across the Sea: The Empire Windrush and Me

Written as a poem, ‘We Sang Across the Sea: The Empire Windrush and Me’ tells the story of Mona Baptiste, a singer who left her Trinidadian home for England. It is a moving story, beautifully told and illustrated.

The happiness of Mona’s childhood on the island is brilliantly captured with her passion for singing celebrated on every page. Her courage and determination when leaving her family aboard the Empire Windrush to accomplish her hopes and dreams is shared in the faces of the others depicted waving farewell to their loved ones and homeland in search of pastures new. It offers the perfect opportunity for discussing the reasons for migration and encouraging empathy, as well as excitement, for those in search of a different life and celebrating the skills and cultural richness they carry with them.

Mona’s experiences as a ‘singing sensation’, travelling and performing all round the world, show she achieved her desire to share her love of singing, bringing joy to all who heard her. However, the difficulties she faced as a ‘Caribbean girl’ are alluded to, offering a great opportunity for further discussing her experiences and those of others who came on the Windrush. A little note about Mona Baptiste at the end of the book adds to the story and might inspire children to explore her life further.

The text is perfect for reading aloud and children will naturally join in with the repeated refrain. The book is sure to become a firm favourite and is a poignant reminder of the arrival of the Windrush, celebrated each year on Windrush Day, the 22nd June.

Benjamin Zephaniah’s dedication in the book is every bit as beautiful as the story itself:

For all children who love to sing

and children who love listening

Regardless of your colour or race,

please make this world a better place.

Wise words indeed!

We Sang Across the Sea: The Empire Windrush and Me

Benjamin Zephaniah, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702311161

Published 7th April 2022

The Most Exciting Eid

Safa can’t wait for Eid to arrive. She is so excited about the beautiful henna designs, the new clothes, the decorations and the food that she can barely sleep the night before. When the day arrives, it is everything Safa dreamed of- and more as she learns how special it is to share and think about others, bringing them happiness.

What a lovely book! From its striking cover to the information pages at the end, this is a must have for all school book corners and libraries as well as for sharing at home. As a teacher constantly on the look out for books by authentic voices which reflect the children she teaches, I can’t wait to take this into school!

‘The Most Exciting Eid’ vividly captures the excitement children feel as a special occasion approaches. For those not familiar with Eid-al-Fitr, the story introduces many of the customs and traditions involved, offering plenty to discuss, with a glossary at the end for those who wish to find out more. Children will enjoy comparing family traditions at special times and appreciate the commonalities as well as learning about and respecting differences.

However, the story also contains a very heart-warming message about the ‘true meaning’ of Eid and Safa learns the joy of sharing with others as she accompanies her mother to wish friends and neighbours ‘Eid Murbarak’, sharing their food and joy with anyone who might need it.

The illustrations throughout are superb. Full of rich colours and energy, they capture Safa’s excitement and the delight of celebrating Eid perfectly, making the book even more enjoyable.

The Most Exciting Eid Zeba Talkhani, illustrated by Abeeha Tariq

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702313240

Published 7th April 2022

It Fell from the Sky

It fell from the sky on a Thursday…

When a strange object appears in the garden, it is the subject of great discussion and speculation amongst the creatures that live there. Cunningly, Spider soon takes possession and constructs a ‘Grand Exhibit’ to show off the ‘Wonder from the Sky’. Having created ‘Wonderville’, he starts to make money by charging everyone to see it. As its popularity increases, he raises the entry fees, but eventually, the crowds disappear. Spider assumes everyone has left to spread the word about his amazing attraction, but an Unexpected Disaster occurs and the Wonder is stolen and Spider was all alone. Soon, life returned to normal and Spider has to re-evaluate his choices…

I absolutely adore the Fan Brothers’ work. ‘The Barnabus Project’ is possibly my favourite, closely followed by ‘Ocean Meets Sky’ and this latest gem is every bit as wonderful! I have never known a child (or adult) who has not been utterly mesmerised by their artwork and captivated by their stories.

‘It Fell From the Sky’ is an excellent story for starting conversations about greed and community spirit- and about who ‘works of art’ should belong to! But there is endless joy to be had exploring the pictures, re-telling events from other characters’ viewpoints and creating artwork inspired by the incredible illustrations.

The marble (for that it what readers will recognise the Wonder from the Sky as) is initially the only flash of colour in the monochrome spreads. I love using marbles as inspiration for poetry (see post to come in ‘Reading Resources’) and this would work so well alongside this story as the creatures wonder just what this strange object is that has appeared in their world. Children would enjoy creating miniature worlds or their own miniature museum of wonders like the one Spider creates, shown in glorious colour and harmony as it is shared by all. There are so many ways this wonderful book could be used with a class. And don’t forget to take off the dust jacket and admire the evening scene, studded with fireflies, on the cover of the book itself. From start to finish- this is an absolute joy!

It Fell from the Sky The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711270657

Me, in the Middle

As her class learn about family trees, Georgie is overwhelmed by feelings of uncertainty about where she belongs. However, once she starts working on the project with her parents, she soon realises that her family tree’s branches stretch far and wide and that her far-reaching roots make her proud. As the class compare their heritage, they soon realise that although all of their ‘trees’ look very different, they all have much in common.

Creating your family tree can be a very rewarding and fascinating thing to do, but it can also be an exercise fraught with difficulties and one which needs handling with the greatest sensitivity. Some children, like Georgie, might feel anxious because their family is not the same as that of their friends or classmates. This delightful, up-lifting story shows how, like real trees, families come in all shapes and sizes, but we are all rooted in the same rich earth.

I love the way the story links the idea of a family tree to the shape and size of real trees as different children compare how their families are formed with the trees in the park, acknowledging there are many ways to make a family unit and that each one is special. The story makes the point that you cannot define someone from looking at them- we are so much more than what can be seen at a first glance: wise words indeed!

‘Me, in the Middle’ would make an excellent addition to any book collection and is perfect for being at the heart of work about families. It would also be invaluable in PSHE sessions such as celebrating difference, relationships or being me in my world in both KS1 and KS2, with many ideas to explore. The addition of a blank tree with the title, ‘Make your own family tree’, might well inspire children to explore their own heritage, families and cultures. The illustrations throughout the book are delightful - a real celebration of classroom diversity and fun; however, they also are perfect for encouraging empathy as Georgie’s feelings are beautifully depicted.

Owlet Press are a fabulous independent publisher, offering titles which truly reflect and celebrate diversity and highlight more nuanced stories, making the reader pause and reflect deeply. ‘Me, in the Middle’ is another winner from their collection!

Me, in the Middle Annette Dimetriou, illustrated by Angela Mayers

Owlet Press ISBN: 978-1913339357

Out in March 2022

You can read my review of ‘Wild’ by Annette Demetriou and Dawn White in the ‘Reviews from Another Life’ section.

Rainbow Hands

As the days stretch on and on, a little boy looks forward to his favourite time- painting-my-nails-time. In his Ma’s magical bottles, there is a shade of varnish for every mood and feeling. He knows purple is the colour of mystery whilst white is the colour of infinite possibilities. At times, his Papa frowns and asks why he can’t paint on paper instead, but the little boy knows it makes his hands look beautiful.

When my son was little, he used to love to paint my nails, creating a rainbow of colour on each hand. And sometimes, he would ask for his nails to be painted too, carefully choosing which shades to use. These were moments of great joy, as he focused so hard on keep the polish on my nails, laughing and chatting as he painted.

‘Rainbow Hands’ celebrates exploring who you are and having the courage to express yourself. Although his father sometimes questions the little boy’s colourful nails, there is a great sense of love from his family. You are my colourful child who I know will shine bright… says his grandfather and there is joy as he explores all the emotions and colours of the rainbow!

The story offers the perfect opportunity for discussing how we link colours with different emotions as well as for challenging stereotypical notions about who should or should not wear nail varnish. Jo Loring-Fisher’s illustrations are simply delightful, conveying a wide range of emotions and capturing the love and joy of the family.

A delightful book, made for sharing!

Rainbow Hands Mamta Nainy, illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher

Lantana ISBN: 978-1913747831

‘Love is…’ and ‘Sometimes I Feel…’

Stunning illustrations and beautiful text combine to make these very special books. ‘Sometimes I Feel…’ offers reflection on many different emotions whilst ‘Love is…’ celebrates love in all its forms.

With its lavish illustrations and thoughtful text, ‘Love is…’ reflects on the enduring, powerful nature of that emotion and how it affects us all. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this would make a beautiful gift for the special someone in your life!

However, the book also explores love between siblings and across generations. It reminds us that, although love is being together, having time alone to be and express yourself is also important.

For with love…

we can do anything.

Equally relevant to adults and children, ‘Sometimes I feel…’ explores feelings through a collection of animal similes. Each simile is followed with a further thought, deepening understanding of that emotion and offering the perfect starting point for discussions. Each spread can help children not only with understanding their own feelings, but also for developing empathy with others. For example, the simile ‘…as big as a bear’ is followed with the reflection that there will always by those bigger who will sometimes make you feel small. My favourite is that although we might feel ‘curious as a cat’, it is impossible to know everything and sometimes our minds need a rest. The illustrations are stunning - each one worthy of framing- and capture the sentiment of the text beautifully.

Children could illustrate their own similes and add their thoughts to these, creating a class book based on the original. For teachers, different spreads could be used as a basis for PSHE sessions, developing discussions and encouraging children to consider different viewpoints.

These are books to treasure!

Love is… A Celebration of Love in All its Forms Sarah Maycock

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1787418745

Sometimes I Feel… A Menagerie of Feelings Big and Small Sarah Maycock

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800781283

I Love You, Blue

A whale called Blue rescues Jonas the lighthouse-keeper from stormy seas and the two become friends. But when Jonas sets off to find the whale on the following day, he discovers Blue ill and in great danger, needing Jonas’s help.

This charming story is perfect for introducing children to the dangers of plastic pollution and the need to care for our oceans and the creatures that live there. As Jonas explores the beauty of the ocean, the sharp-eyed reader will notice hints of the problem to come in the water beneath him as amongst the fish, carrier bags can be seen, offering the perfect starting point for discussions about how some things end up in our oceans when they really should not be there.

Jonas’s enthusiasm for the world around him and his joy at meeting Blue are infectious. His care for this massive creature is evident in his anxiety when he cannot find his friend, leaving the reader with the heartfelt plea to ‘Save our oceans. Save our whales.’ Although the story is simple and perfect for using with the youngest children, teachers of KS2 children will also be quick to see the possibilities it offers when working with older children. A message from Barroux at the end of the book says that Blue represents all whales- over 20 different species- and different children could undertake research on different species, perhaps recording their findings as non-chronological reports, perhaps preparing a persuasive speech with a view to taking action or perhaps simply sharing their research findings with their peers.

The story might also inspire children to take part in a beach clean or to organise a clean up of their own school grounds, investigating the different types of rubbish commonly found and developing suggestions for how the school community could tackle the issue.

The illustrations are just wonderful and sure to inspire children to experiment with using watercolours to create seascapes of their own or to explore techniques for creating the sky/ sea as Barroux has used here.

A complete delight, this is a book I will be using in school again and again!

I Love You, Blue Barroux

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1913074500

Frank and Bert

Meet Frank and Bert. These two pals LOVE to play hide-and-seek, but, although he thinks he is, Bert is not very good at hiding. This means that Frank wins every single game they play…until it occurs to him that maybe winning is not what’s important…maybe being a good friend is the most important thing of all.

Ever since discovering a copy of ‘I Want to Eat this Ant’ whilst on holiday one year, I have loved the work of Chris Naylor-Ballesteros. Many people know his fabulous book, ‘The Suitcase’, but each of his books is full of warmth, wisdom, humour - and incredible illustrations. ‘Frank and Bert’ is his latest gem!

There is so much to adore about this story. Frank the fox loves to win and when playing hide and seek with Bert, he does this a lot! Bert’s hiding skills leave a lot to be desired- even when Frank agrees to count to one hundred. But delighted as he is to win, Frank pauses to consider his friend’s feelings and put Bert’s happiness over his (Frank’s) competitive nature. The story offers the perfect starting point for discussing these feelings and encouraging empathy with others.

The pictures are full of humour! Children will giggle at Bert’s attempts at hiding and really enjoy the little twist at the end which shows that perhaps Bert is not as clueless as he first appears! His bright pink scarf suits him perfectly and it’s wonderful to see Frank knitting for his friend. Their expressions are just wonderful, adding to their personalities!

Children will love joining in with the counting and enjoy sharing this story again and again. I hope there are more stories about this adorable pair!

Frank and Bert Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788008419

The Lights that Dance in the Night

Telling the story of the Northern Lights as they weave their magic across the Artic skies, ‘The Lights that Dance in the Night’ is the perfect story for winter evenings. Although the book’s blurb calls it a ‘wonderfully festive picture book’, it brings light and joy to the long, dark January nights!

The lyrical, descriptive text is a joy to read aloud as it describes the joyous dance of the lights across the sky, uniting all below in wonder and delight as they ‘sashay’ and ‘sway’ in the sky above. As ever with Yuval’s books, the illustrations are stunning; full of colour and detail, they are truly captivating. The cover is a particular joy with touches of sparkle and a textured, tactile surface.

However, as well as being a beautiful story in its own right, canny teachers will instantly recognise the many ways in which this book could be used to enhance other curriculum areas. The ‘purpose of study’ section of the Geography National Curriculum opens with the statement: A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and this ‘The Lights that Dance in the Night’ certainly does that! This is one of those stories which sparks endless questions and lines of enquiry for children of all ages, not only about the formation of the lights themselves, but also the animals and people who inhabit this region.

Storytellers wove our lights

into tales for long, dark nights.

A constant source of wonder and fascination across the years, the northern lights not only feature in traditional tales of the people indigenous to northern lands, but also feature in stories told more recently, like ‘The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’ by Michelle Paver. Yuval’s story could be used to inspire writing poetry or descriptive writing about the lights and his illustrations are sure to tempt children to explore a variety of art techniques.

Sitting perfectly with Yuval’s other books, ‘A Thing Called Snow’ and ‘The Tree That’s Meant to Be’, ‘The Lights that Dance in the Night’ is sure to become a firm favourite.

The Lights that Dance in the Night Yuval Zommer

Oxford University Press ISBN: 978-0192769848

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