Magic Ever After

Bea Black is still enjoying life in Little Spellshire. Things are much easier now her dad knows she is a witch-in-training and is happily in a relationship with Taffy Tallywick. But something’s up- her father seems obsessed with learning magic and Taffy is distracted by some Very Important Thinking which she has to do. Finally, Bea learns that they want to get married (there was kissing) which is wonderful, but means there is much to do…

Full of magical mishaps, strange situations and hilarious happenings, this is such an entertaining and engaging series! Bea is a delightful character, who is easy to identify with. Keen to do well, fit in and have fun, she makes mistakes and can be overly anxious about things, but is full of good heart and determination and is surrounded by good friends (and a loving dad!), meaning everything comes right in the end.

The story is presented in a diary format, highly illustrated and in easily read sections, offering a read which is both achievable and enjoyable and reassuringly familiar to those who have read the other books in the series. The focus of each shifts slightly, keeping the reader interested in Bea’s world and showing the importance of her home and school lives. In this story, more is learned about activities at school with a game of GO with Cats and the very entertaining Eggy Day where each egg delivers a truthbomb, but there is also plenty about her homelife as the wedding approaches and everything finally comes together for the perfect day.

A fabulous mix of magic and mischief, family and friendship, ‘Magic Ever After’ is a great addition to the series!

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Magic Ever After

Perdita and Honor Cargill, illustrated by Katie Saunders

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788956109

You can read my review of ‘Ghostly Getaway’ here.

Find Peace in a Poem

Things got very crazy at the end of last year so I took a couple of weeks off from reviewing…which means I am very behind in sharing all the lovely books I have been reading! However, new year and all that so let’s start 2024 with this gem!

‘Find Peace in a Poem’ is the latest in a series of poetry books from Little Tiger, joining ‘My Heart is a Poem’, ‘Courage in a Poem’ and ‘Our Earth is a Poem’. Making a lovely collection, each book is beautifully produced, with thoughtful details like biographies of each poet and illustrator and a name plate with the dedication ‘Words of calm for…’. Four illustrators have contributed to the collection with their differing styles perfectly complementing the poems.

Like a spell, poetry wields the right words at the right time and has the power to transform us.

Whoever wrote the book’s introduction obviously loves poetry as much as I do and has created the perfect starting point for the collection. As usual with this series, there is comment at the end of the book explaining that the poems have been presented in their original dialect as the poems are ‘rooted in the places they were dreamt up and written’.

The poems have been chosen with great care, each one offering a sense of calm and joyful optimism, encouraging the reader to focus on and appreciate the small things in life, the moments that create their days, the joy in the world around them. ‘A Lesson from the Trees’ by Nikita Gill reflects on the longevity of the trees around us and the constant, listening presence they offer. Kate Wakeling’s ‘The Ink Cure’ suggests a way of combatting feelings of sadness and letting your troubles go whilst ‘Over the Weather’ by Naomi Shihab Nye offers calming thoughts. Each poem is a joy!

The anthology is perfect for sharing at home or in school with many of the poems offering excellent models or starting points for children to develop their own poetic ideas. Zaro Weil’s ‘Hide and Seek’, for example, might inspire children to concentrate on and describe the sounds that they can hear in different locations as well as the importance of finding those quiet moments. ‘My Inner Weather Report’ by Georgia Heard is the perfect starting point for supporting children with identifying and sharing their feelings, recognising all the different moods and emotions which everyone experiences. And, of course, Kit Wright’s ‘The Magic Box’ - a perennial favourite- is a magical way of gathering all the special sights, sounds, people, places and imaginative details which make life so rich and joyful.

The perfect place to start 2024- happy New Year!

Find Peace in a Poem

Mandy Coe, Jack Prelutsky, Pat Mora, Kate Wakeling, James Carter, Nikita Gill, Joseph Coelho, Valerie Bloom, Amina Jama, Michael Rosen, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Mary Ann Hoberman, Georgia Heard, Sophia Thakur, Sanah Ahsan, Elizabeth Acevedo, Kit Wright, Naomi Shihab Nye and Zaro Weil

Illustrated by Annalise Barber, Mariana Roldan, Masha Manapov and Nabila Adani.

Published 4th January 2024

You can read my review of ‘My Heart is a Poem’ here, ‘Courage in a Poem’ here and ‘Our Earth is a Poem’ here.

NNFN2023: The Earth Book

It’s day 12 of National Non-Fiction November 2023!

A fascinating read, ‘The Earth Book’ is bursting with information about planet Earth. Divided into four sections- Physical Earth, Life on Earth, Earth Regions and the Human Planet, each spread is attractively illustrated, using earthy, muted tones in keeping with the topic.

This is a brilliant book for dipping in and out of - or ‘skipping and dipping’ as Nicola Davies called it. Attention might be caught be a title or an illustration, a side heading or a number on a picture, encouraging the reader to look more closely and read the relevant information, but the book might equally be devoured from cover to cover, absorbing the reader completely.

Many of the subjects looked at here are included in the geography and science curriculum at KS2, making this a useful text to support this learning. Although there is no index to support the location of specific information, it should be fairly easy to decide which of the four sections to turn to. Full of wonder, there is much to enjoy here!

The Earth Book

Jonathan Litton, illustrated by Thomas Hegbrook

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838914592

Becoming Brave: A True Story of Love and Loss, Courage and Hope

A chance meeting results in love at first sight for Jennie and Abram. A worrier, Jennie falls in love with Abram’s fearlessness, the fact that he was never afraid to follow his heart. But when the worst happens and Jennie finds herself alone, will she be able to find her own courage?

‘Becoming Brave’ is a gentle, heart-warming story about love, grief and finding the courage to lively boldly. Poignant text is supported by moving illustrations which capture the highs and lows of Jennie and Abram’s relationship,

Jennie’s success in finding her courage when the worst had happened, in creating a passion from her tragedy, is a powerful message of hope, perfect for starting conversations and offering comfort in the face of adversity. By taking positive action, Jennie is able to move forwards with her life, never forgetting Abram, but helping others through the constant celebration of his life and love of music. The story recognises that it is possible to be happy and sad at the same time- a truly up-lifting story.

Becoming Brave: A True Story of Love and Loss, Courage and Hope

Jennie Cashman Wilson, illustrated by Tomekah George

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838914646

Perfectly Imperfect

When Maria accidentally damages her brother’s best book, he is furious with her and Maria is heartbroken. Luckily, Bea is on hand to show her how things can be perfectly imperfect, with imperfections adding to the beauty of something and adding to the memories connected with it. Reassured, Maria decides to mend Robbie’s book and they settle down to read together.

Beauty is all around us, yet we are constantly told that to be beautiful something must be perfect. This gorgeous picture book allows readers to explore the idea that things can be ‘perfectly imperfect’- a scar might carry a story, a crack in the pavement yields a flower- and encourages everyone to look again at the world around them, appreciating flaws and apparent defects. In our society, we are so quick to throw things away, discarding and demeaning anything seen as less than perfect so this is brilliant for encouraging discussion and reflection. Something mended becomes unique, full of memories, full of love.

The Japanese practice Kintsugi, a process of repairing ceramics, traditionally with lacquer and gold, which highlights and enhances any breaks or chips, making a work of art out of something which might otherwise have been thrown away. This story captures that philosophy, making it relevant and inspiring. The illustrations capture the warmth of the relationship between Maria and both Bea and Robbie beautifully and we loved the antics of their pet cat- there’s a character who deserves a book of their own! This is a very special, thought-provoking book for home and school alike!

Imperfectly Perfect

Perry Emerson, illustrated by Hoang Giang

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044981

Published 7th September 2023

The Time Tider

Mara and her father, Gabriel, live in their van and are constantly on the move. Her father is forever tinkering with watches, completely absorbed in his work, plotting the next stop on their never ending journey. Mara has never questioned their way of life until one day she discovers some papers hidden in the van referring to the to ‘the Tider’, someone responsible for harvesting lost time. Shocked and full of questions, Mara is left reeling when Gabriel is taken by a dangerous group who wish to use his powers for evil. Desperate for help, Mara tries to find her father’s friend, Lenny and meets a boy called Jan who seems determined to help her. Together, they must find Gabriel before it's too late.

My clumsy synopsis does not do justice to this brilliant book. It is such a well-crafted, absorbing story, set in a world where ‘spare’ time must be harvested by the Time Tider to avoid it gathering and causing warps; however, it also poses questions in the moral implications of someone having the power and responsibility this bestows and the potential for corruption and evil which might follow.

The author skilfully builds Mara’s world and the arts of the Time Tider with exerts from ‘The Time Tider’s Handbook’ being threaded through the story between chapters. Mara is a unique character. Isolated by their unusual lifestyle, their poverty and constant travelling, she is naturally distrustful and cautious, but also curious and courageous. You can’t help but cheer her on as she faces each challenge and decision she must take.

The Time Tider would make an excellent class read, sure to excite the imagination and lead to much discussion and exploration of ideas. I have loved each book by Sinead O’Hart, but feel this is her best yet!

The Time Tider Sinéad O’Hart

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953306

Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue

Huxley is a little koala filled with energy and zest for life. Flapjack, his penguin friend, is far more anxious and cautious, but together, they make the perfect team. They live in a treehouse just outside the town and when a new store opens, they hop on their tandem to take a look. Although the manager isn’t entirely happy, they have lots of fun investigating everything from the revolving doors to the very bouncy trampoline in the sports department, but when Huxley is mistaken for a thief, they must come up with a plan to prove his innocence.

From its zingy yellow cover to its wonderful colour illustrations, this gorgeous early chapter book is bursting with energy and adventure, sure to capture the imagination- and hearts- of its readers. Huxley and Flapjack prove that opposites attract and that true friends can be quite different to you in both tastes and backgrounds.

Huxley is impulsive, acting before thinking things through, and sometimes (like when riding on the tandem) relying on Flapjack to do all the work. Flapjack is a more sensitive, gentle soul who tempers Huxley’s impetuous urges, yet benefits as the friendship encourages him to do things he might otherwise not do. There is much here to discuss with children who might see themselves in either character!

The illustrations are completely delightful, full of things to notice and smile about. Flapjack’s range of changing expressions is a priceless as he is caught up in Huxley’s madcap pace of doing things! The story could inspire many crafty activities, making it perfect for book group sessions as well as for enjoying at home or school. I could see this series making an excellent cartoon series as well!

Sure to become firm favourites, Huxley and Flapjack are highly appealing characters which children are going to want to read about. Great fun!

Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue

Alan MacDonald, illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa

Little Tiger ISBN: 978- 1788954174

Hello Me!

‘Hello Me!’ follows a little boy as he learns to love himself and accept himself for who he is. Comparing his mind to a house, he knows maintaining it needs love and care so it can weather the bad times. He understands that he is not perfect and will make mistakes, but resolves to make the most of what he has and to persevere when things go wrong, asking for help when needed.

This is such a lovely, accessible book, brilliant for sharing with individual children or classes to open up discussions about mental health. Using a house as a metaphor for the mind is very easy for children to relate to, the lovely illustrations perfectly supporting the text. When the little boy is jealous of the girl on the boat, the pictures show that however much she seems to have, there are cracks and patches in her home as well.

At the end of the book, there are notes offering advice and guidance to support the ideas explored in the story- reassuring for adults who are sharing the book with little- and perhaps not-so-little- ones. An excellent addition to any bookshelf!

Hello Me! A Children’s Book of Well-being

Dr Naira Wilson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044844

Our Earth is a Poem

Shell of the sunrise,

sunrise shell,

yours is the pink lip

of a pearled world.

‘Our Earth is a Poem’ joins ‘Courage in a Poem’ and ‘My Heart is a Poem’ as the third in this beautiful series of poetry books from Little Tiger. As with the two previous volumes, this collection offers a carefully selected, wide range of poems, but this time on the theme of nature.

And what a selection it is! Perfect for using at home and in school, these are poems which capture moments of nature’s beauty, closely observe the environment and marvel at the wonders around us. Nature in this collection is the whole jigsaw of life which makes our world.

‘Mud’ revels in the joy of a child playing in the dirt, valuing the fundamental contribution this makes to life whilst ‘Winter Poem’ celebrates the magic of snow. Robert Macfarlane’s ‘Otter’ is a stunning example of an acrostic poem, which uses a wealth of poetic devices to capture the enigmatic beauty of that creature. The range of styles and subjects is a joy, making it a pleasure to share and very easy for poetry to be slipped into story time routines at home and school as well as being a collection which children will, no doubt, love to explore for themselves.

The collection is delightfully illustrated by four artists who capture the essence of the poems in their differing styles. Like the poems they capture, the illustrations offer much to discuss and enjoy. I love the joy of the picture which accompanies ‘Your Dresses’ by carol Ann Duffy and the humour which fills the one for John Agard’s ‘Laughter’s Favourite Animal’.

Biographies of both poets and illustrators are given at the end of the book, something which I feel is really important. It is so wonderful to be able to see the creator of something which you have enjoyed and may well lead to further discoveries or new interests. There is also a note about the use of both British and American English in the collection, reflecting the roots of the work and its maker.

A stunning collection!

Poems by: Margarita Engle, Diana Hendry, Grace Nichols, Robert Macfarlane, Ruth Awolola, Naomi Shihab Nye, Zaro Weil, Rachel Plummer, Joyce Sidman, Carol Ann Duffy, Jack Prelutsky, Mary Anne Hoberman, Nikki Giovanni, Jan Dean, Rebecca Perry, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Janet Wong, Jay Hulme and Tom Denbigh

Artwork by: Annalise Barber, Mariana Roldan, Masha Manapov and Nabila Adani

To be published on August 3rd 2023

You can read my review of ‘Courage in a Poem’ here and ‘My Heart is a Poem’ here.

The Ocean Gardener

Ayla’s island home is surrounded by a coral reef. This she visits with her mum who is a marine biologist, wondering at its beauty and all the incredible creature who live there. On one visit, however, they notice the corals have lost their vibrant colours and the fish were disappearing, swimming off into the ocean. Fortunately, Ayla’s mum has a plan, but is it too late to save the coral reef?

In this gorgeous book, Clara Anganuzzi both captures the beauty and importance of coral reefs and the important work done by marine biologists in working to reverse the damage that has been done to them.

The lyrical text gently conveys so much- the close mother-daughter relationship, the wonders of the reef, sorrow at the destruction of the reef, the hope that it might recover and joy for the future. It is sure to capture the imagination and the breath-taking illustrations which accompany it are just as enchanting.

At the end of the book, readers are introduced to a real marine biologist, Chloe, whose story offers facts to support the events of the book, perfect for sparking conversations about the work being done to reverse the damage done to the environment, offering a hopeful message. The book concludes with some facts about corals and what is happening to them is also included.

‘The Ocean Gardener’ is a must-have for homes, classrooms and libraries.

The Ocean Gardener Clara Anganuzzi

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838915315

You can read my review of ‘Dear Earth’, illustrated by Clara, here.

Holey Moley

When Gus the Goat meets Mavis Mole, he enthusiastically sets about trying to guess where she lives. However, his determination to find a rhyme soon becomes annoying as he ignores all Mavis’s attempts to set him straight!

Full of fun, ‘Holey Moley’ is a brilliant story for sharing. Children will love Gus’s attempts to rhyme and will, no doubt, be full of their own suggestions for where Mavis might live- and then perhaps turn their attention to other creatures (good luck with squirrel!). There is a joyful silliness about Gus’s suggestions which makes the story a delight to read aloud as each idea is wackier than the last!

Anders Frang’s illustrations capture the anarchic humour brilliantly and each spread offers plenty of additional fun! I love the antics of the squirrels on the end papers and then throughout the book as they observe the unfolding drama! This is one of those books which will have young readers shouting, ‘Again!’ as soon as it’s finished! Great fun!

Holey Moley

Bethan Clarke, illustrated by Anders Frang

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044134

Sunny Side Up

In this gorgeous picture book, children- and adults!- are encouraged to look on the bright side of life and find the positives in each situation. Using the idea of ‘sunny-side specs’, author, Clare Helen Welsh, offers readers a different way of seeing things- a ‘goodbye’ to one person could be a ‘hello’ to another and a bad mood could easily become a good one. This lovely, simple idea is perfect for encouraging children to develop a sense of having choice in how they react to things and thus a positive impact on the outcome. Schools and families might choose to design and make their own ‘sunny-side specs’ and use these as a reminder when needed. Taking action to make change is also encouraged- families are shown tackling waste in the sea so that they are able to enjoy the water together once it’s cleared- nothing seems impossible when viewed through the sunny-side specs!

However, the book also acknowledges that there are occasions when there isn’t a sunny side, reassuring the reader that it is OK to feel sad at times. I love the line- ‘The more sunny things you find, the sunnier you’ll feel.’- so true and so important to remember and share! It is vital to encourage children (and adults!) to believe that things might not be as bad as they first thought, that with a little bit of ‘reviewing the situation’ they might be able to see things in a more positive light! Clare- one of the happiest, most positive people I have ever had the pleasure to meet- has created a real winner here!

The text is accompanied by Ana Sanfelippo’s wonderful illustrations. Colourful spreads are enhanced by die-cuts and flaps which transform the pictures, just as having a different outlook can transform the world around us. There is plenty to talk about in each picture- perfect for classroom discussions or for sharing at home. This is an inspired- and inspiring- book!

Sunny Side Up

Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044172

Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere

When Tourmaline overhears a conversation between two of her professors at Pellavere University, she learns that not only has her mother gone missing whilst on an archaeological expedition, but that no one will be going to search for her. Tourmaline is determined to find her and with the help of her best friend, George, and new acquaintance, Mia, sets off on an incredible adventure.

Having found a clue in her mother’s study to set them on their way, the three companions embark on a perilous journey to locate the Island of Elsewhere- a journey filled with twists and turns, unexpected revelations and excitement.

Tourmaline is a fantastic character. Intrepid and impulsive, once her friendship is gained, she is loyal and protective and there is a wonderful warmth of feeling between her, George and Mia. The three make an excellent team, bringing out the best in each other, bouncing back from the bickering and fallings out that real friends so often have and strengthening their bond. I developed a real soft spot for George as the story progressed. His affectionate support of Tourmaline forces him to do and face things which are completely outside his comfort zone and yet he persists, showing real friendship and courage and understanding of his friends’ characters.

The world building of the story is wonderful! It is richly imagined, each new location described beautifully and full of detail. And yet, the story offers plenty to think about as it makes the reader pause to consider the rights and wrongs of ‘discovery’, questioning who rightfully ‘owns’ the artefacts which are discovered when archaeologists do their work.

I am delighted that this is only the first of Tourmaline’s adventures. I can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!

Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere

Ruth Lauren

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788955911

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

All the Wonderful Ways to Read

Come snuggle with me…

This delightful book is a celebration of the right of the reader to choose exactly how they will read and explore books. Wherever and however you engage with a book, this one carries the message that the most important thing is that you should love to read!

It would be an interesting book to use to spark conversations with children of any age about where and how they choose to read- and to, perhaps, unpick some of the preconceptions children have about when, how and where people ‘should’ read. It might inspire them to create their own ‘rights of the reader’ style poster, sharing how they best love to read as well as encouraging them to share books which they enjoy which might open new possibilities for others.

Bright, fun illustrations accompany the rhyming text as it celebrates the wonder and magic of books and stories and the many ways and places of enjoying them. It is a lovely book for sharing at home and at school and one which is sure to be read again and again!

All the Wonderful Ways to Read

Laura Baker, illustrated by Sandra de la Prada

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044158

The Story Shop: Dino Danger

Dino Danger! is the third visit to the Story Shop, a special shop in Puddletown High Street, which sells adventures which customers can really take part in. Shopkeeper, Wilbur, and his assistant, Fred Ferret, are ready to help everyone step into their own adventure…

When timid Bear is given a voucher for an adventure by his friend, Ted, Wilbur and Fred decide that a dinosaur adventure is just the thing he needs. With Fred’s help, this scaredy-Bear manages to find the courage to challenge Big T to a game of crazy golf, return a group of Tricereatots to their teacher and identify the veggie thief on the dinosaur allotments.

As with the previous ‘Story Shop’ books, ‘Dino Danger!’ is perfect for younger readers as an independent read or as a story to share. Tracey’s use of gentle humour and endearing characters make each book accessible and enjoyable and the three linked adventures in each book allow children to build their reading stamina whilst the short chapters with plentiful illustrations make the books achievable.

Fred Ferret is the perfect companion for Bear’s adventure and is on hand to support and encourage him as he faces each new challenge. Initially, Fred uses a special rock which he calls a ‘Crystal of Calm’ to make Bear believe in himself, but by the end of the story, it becomes clear that all the brave and clever things Bear has done are because if who he is and not because of the stone. Many children will identify with Bear, feeling nervous or frightened of unfamiliar situations and these stories are perfect for encouraging discussions about self belief. By the end of the book, timid Bear has enjoyed his Story Shop adventures and is keen to tell his pal, Ted, all about them, leaving the Story Shop quite a different character to the one who entered it!

These stories are a real celebration of the imagination and a wonderful starting point for encouraging children to develop their own adventures - ones which they would choose if they were able to visit Wilbur and Fred- and to act these out using their own props and costumes. Tony Neal’s lively illustrations add much to the text and the book ends with a guess the dinosaur from their silhouette activity and some dinosaur jokes! Great fun!

The Story Shop: Dino Danger!

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953320

Published 2nd March 2023

You can read my review of ‘Blast Off’ here and ‘Anchors Away!’ here.

Mole’s Quiet Place

Mole and Beaver live together in a treehouse in the forest. At the end of each day, they light the lanterns, just as their old friend Bear used to, making their home like a lighthouse. Seeing the light, many other creatures are drawn to the warmth and friendship of this home, but as more and more animals arrive, Mole feels overwhelmed. Realising his friend needs some space, Beaver and the treehouse gang set to work to create a mole-sized boat so Mole can enjoy some quiet time before heading back to the comfort of the treehouse.

Readers first met Beaver and Mole in ‘Goodbye Bear’ where they comforted each other after the loss of their dear friend. In this touching sequel, the friends are living in Bear’s treehouse and there are many details for readers to notice and enjoy which link the two stories. In this book, Bear’s treehouse is full of the hustle and bustle of visitors as a constant stream of friends drop in to chatter, sing and share some cake. But although Mole enjoys the excitement, she longs for the peaceful evenings she and Beaver used to share. Beaver and the others recognise and value these feelings, validating them by creating a space for her to be alone. No one gets offended or questions her need for a quiet space- they support her by understanding her need.

The story is perfect for starting conversations about allowing others some space by striving to understand their feelings. Many parents will find this invaluable for helping siblings navigate not feeling rejected or valued when alone time is needed by one- or all- of their number. It would also make an excellent book for a story time to support children with understanding the importance of ‘allowing’ friends to make choices about how they spend play times or working times and respecting these. The enchanting illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the story and I hope we see more books about Mole and Beaver and their lovely friendship.

Mole’s Quiet Place Jane Chapman

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044257

Blog Tour: The Time Tider

I am beyond delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘The Time Tider’ by Sinead O’Hart. I have loved each of Sinead’s books so far for very different reasons, but this latest one really is something special. It offers mystery, adventure and peril whilst challenging the reader to wonder what they would do if they were in Mara’s shoes. Completely compelling, it is an irresistible story- one to return to again and again!

For this stop on the Blog Tour, Sinead shares this fascinating piece about the History of Clocks and Timekeeping.

One of the most enjoyable parts about being an author is the research you sometimes get to do when you’re writing a book. Some books require more background work than others – some require none at all! – and others require loads. My new book, The Time Tider, was somewhere in the middle. It’s a book that’s sort-of about time travel, but which is more about asking questions around the morality of power and who gets to be in charge, and what to do when the people in charge get corrupted and start misusing the power and responsibility that was placed on their shoulders. It’s a book about loss and grief, too, and the importance of making the most of every second we have with our loved ones. And, of course, it’s a cracking adventure with lots of thrills and twists, and two of my favourite characters, Mara and Jan, a girl who lives on the road and a boy with secrets of his own, who have to work together to save not only themselves, but the fabric of Time itself.

In order to write The Time Tider I did some research into how human beings have thought about time for as long as we have historical records, and I learned about clocks and timekeeping and how time – and how it’s measured – can tell us loads about society and culture and structures of power. Of course, when you’re dealing with time as a concept in a book, you run afoul of pesky things like physics and relativity and time dilation and quarks and gravity and black holes… and sometimes, you can become bogged down in the fact that people much cleverer than yourself have spent entire careers trying to understand the way time works – and they still don’t have all the answers. I also read about the physics behind time (turning my brain into a pretzel in the process), but I was more interested in the history of how we’ve measured time – and mostly, what I learned was that time is a very complicated business, and I honestly have no clue how any of it keeps ticking along.

The first means of measuring time, in all likelihood, involved using shadows – because, of course, an object’s shadow changes position during the course of the day, as the sun moves through the sky. People have long noticed this, and used it as far back as the 3rd century BCE (Before the Christian Era – so, over two thousand years ago) to calculate the circumference of the Earth. This was done by a brilliant Greek mathematician named Eratosthenes. He used two gnomons (which are tall objects designed to cast a shadow, and can be used to tell the time as part of a sundial or shadow clock) placed in two different cities, and measured the difference in the angle of the shadows cast by the gnomons at midday. From that, and using the distance between the cities, he was able to work out not only how big the Earth is, but also its axial tilt (the angle of the Earth). At around the same time, during the First Punic War, the Romans took a sundial from Sicily and put it on display in Rome as the first public clock. The playwright Plautus complained about how the human body used to be the best clock – by which he meant he could tell when it was lunchtime by the grumbling of his tummy – and now people were using technology to tell time instead! This complaint has been made at several points in history (and it’s one of the inspirations behind The Time Tider itself).

In Athens, in Greece, there’s an amazing place called the Tower of the Winds, which might date from around the 2nd century BCE. It has shadow clocks (sundials), a wind vane, and a water clock – so it’s like the world’s first meteorological station. Water clocks were a way to measure time through the precise dripping of water through a carefully bored hole in one vessel, which fell into a second, lower, vessel marked with the hours. These clocks were made with great skill, so that the water filled at a predictable and accurate rate during the day, and that it took exactly the same length of time to fill each hour. (Well - more or less.) They were known as ‘klepsidras’, which means ‘water stealer’. In medieval China, we see candle clocks beginning to appear – these were candles which burned at a steady rate, reducing their height each hour so that a person could tell by looking at it what time it was. These sorts of clocks became widespread and were used in Anglo-Saxon England by King Alfred the Great, as well as by the great Mesopotamian inventor Ismail Al-Jazari (d.1206), who made a clock that played music every hour! In later medieval China there were fire clocks which worked by burning a stick of incense, and as the hours passed the burning stick would drop metal balls into a shallow plate placed beneath the clock. The clattering of the balls would alert people to the passing of the hours. Some of these clocks worked using fragrance, so that each hour had its own particular scent; as the incense burned, and the scent changed, the user would know that time had passed. Hourglasses – where sand flows at a known rate through a glass vessel, which is housed inside a wooden frame – were also widely used, but nobody is really sure where they were first invented. Certainly, they’ve been around since at least the eleventh century – a thousand years ago.

From the medieval period, about the thirteenth century, mechanical clocks begin to be invented. Bell towers (which were already ringing out the hours through someone ringing a physical bell) began to be mechanized, and the earliest clock tower with a face and hands comes from the 1380s, in Venice. There was one in Salisbury, in England, from around the same time. And here’s where our friend Plautus would have had a lot to complain about: it’s from this time that people begin to think about time in a different way to before, where time becomes something imposed upon people, and clocks begin to force a sort of order or structure on people’s days and lives, disrupting their personal time. The widespread appearance of public clock towers made people feel they had to be eating lunch when the clock struck one (rather than when they were hungry) and that they had to be at church when the clock struck ten, or that they had to be asleep when the clock struck eight. The phrase ‘time is money’ dates from around 1719, when ideas about time and productivity and work start to get intertwined – time was no longer something personal and private, but now your time belonged to your employer. It was also something precious, given by God, something you could waste (which was sinful), and in the late seventeenth century a writer named Richard Baxter wrote about wasting time as being the same thing as robbing from God himself.

In the nineteenth century, we begin to see time and time-zones becoming established and regularized, and one of the main reasons for this was so that accurate train timetables could be drawn up. Prior to this, each town and village would have had its own time! So, GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, which we still use today, and which regularizes what time it is in Britain, Ireland, and lots of other countries) became the primary way in which we map time-zones around the world. Nowadays, we use quartz watches (quartz vibrates at a set rate, and can be successfully used to calibrate clocks) or atomic clocks (which work similarly – using atoms which vibrate at a set rate to power the most accurate clocks humanity has yet invented) to measure time on land, on sea, and even in space – but sometimes I wonder, even now, do we really understand how time works? Maybe we never will!

Many thanks to Sinead for joining me on the Bookshelf today and sharing this piece. I cannot recommend ‘The Time Tider’ highly enough and know that it is a book which teachers will enjoy introducing their children to- it would work brilliantly as a Guided Reading text! Thanks to Little Tiger for inviting me to be part of this tour- and make sure you check out some of the previous posts as well as the three remaining days ahead.

The Time Tider Sinead O’Hart

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953306

 You can read my review of ‘The Eye of the North’ here.

Mort the Meek and the Perilous Prophecy

‘…we don’t like strangers on Brutalia, let alone strangers that are fiendish.’

When the Queen of Brutalia declares that everyone must be alert to the presence of strangers, fear falls over the land ‘like an itchy blanket’. As a pacifist, Mort is more inclined to believe that strangers might be friends than enemies and when he and Weed meet Genia and Vita from the tropical island of Bonrock, it seems he is right. Sent on a mission to Bonrock to learn more, the boys find a warm welcome and a beautiful location …but is everything as it seems?

Rachel Delahaye’s ‘Day of the Whale’ is one of my favourite books and the contrast in style between that and the ‘Mort the Meek’ series shows what a talented and versatile author she is. And yet, amid all the humour and horseplay, punning and pacifism of the Mort books, some fairly serious points are being made.

Children love these books for their fiendish humour and deliciously dark happenings. Each chapter begins with Ratty and Ratto the rats sharing a joke (with a gust appearance from Larry and Bruce the lobsters), relishing in the word play and punning which is a key feature of each book. The use of homophones and grammar in a playful, entertaining way is perfect for using to illustrate spelling and grammar lessons, making it relevant and lighthearted. There are points at which the characters help to clarify the words which Mort and Weed are sure have been made up and help to correct their grammar, helping the reader to understand along the way. It’s beautifully done- and skilfully!

As the boys explore a different world, Mort continues to hold onto his pacifist principles and Weed develops a serious crush whilst events thunder to their exciting conclusion. Any of the books in this series would make an excellent read aloud with plenty to discuss and enjoy with a class, for a fabulous bedtime story or as a most enjoyable independent read. George Ermos’s illustrations are the perfect complement to the story.

Mort the Meek and the Perilous Prophecy

Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by George Ermos

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788955706

You can read my review of ‘Mort the Meek and the Monstrous Quest’ here and ‘Day of the Whale’ here.

Pause for Poetry: My Heart is a Poem

‘My Heart is a Poem’ is a wonderful collection of poems, carefully selected to explore feelings and emotions. From happiness to misery, from excitement to anger, the poems here give voice to a wealth of emotions, sharing the experiences of others to help the reader make sense of their own.

There are so many poems here to enjoy, each beautifully illustrated. Whilst the collection is perfect of an individual to browse and enjoy, this collection also offers so much potential for use in school or for adults to share with children struggling to express their own feelings. Coral Rumble’s poignant poem, ‘Ache’, explores being left out of playground games, offering a perfect starting point for reflection and discussion during a circle time or assembly. ‘Stomp’ by Nikki Grimes is an explosion of emotion, empowering the reader with a way to ‘unload my hurt, my rage’ and discover, through using the written word, the ‘power to decide which words matter, which words don’t, and whose.’

‘Sadness’ by Nikita Gill is a breathtakingly beautiful moment of a poem, offering reassurance and hope, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging this emotion and embracing it so it is possible to move on. Personification is also used by Ruth Awolola whose poem ‘Talking to Tomorrow’ captures the giddy joy of anticipation for things to come. 'In ‘Blackbird’ by Rachel Plummer, the reader discovers ‘the secret of flying’.

This is a treasure trove of words which capture our emotions, encouraging empathy and compassion, giving a voice to a wealth of feelings. It really is a collection for everyone- a very special addition to any bookshelf.

My Heart is a Poem: Poetry About Feelings

Poets:

Mandy Coe Laura Mucha Nikki Grimes Naomi Shihab Nye Debjani Chatterjee Coral Rumble Kate Wakeling John Agard Karl Nova James Carter Valerie Bloom Janet Wong Joseph Coelho Ken Nesbitt Jack Prelutsky Nikita Gill Jay Hulme Rachel Plummer Ruth Awolola Elaine Laron

Illustrators:

Annalise Barber Mariana Roldan Masha Manapov Nabila Adani

Little Tiger ISBN: 9781838914400

You can read my review of ‘Courage in a Poem’ here.

I Really Really Love You So

Bush Baby is back- and just as adorable as ever! She has something really important to say…and explores more and more extreme ways of declaring her love and expressing how it makes her feel.

It is impossible to read this story without a huge smile on your face! Bush Baby’s enthusiasm is infectious and shows the importance of expressing how you feel in which ever way makes you happy. The text is a complete delight to real aloud as it trips along, building in pace in places and leaving moments to pause in others. Humour mingles with the poignancy of the message, making it a perfect book to share again and again with all those you love.

As with the first book about Bush Baby, ‘I Really Really Need a Wee’, there is no indication of gender (I have chosen to use ‘she/her’) allowing anyone to identify with Bush Baby and empathise with how she is feeling. Children are sure to add their own declarations of love as they read the story and find their own ways of sharing how they feel which is so important for us all.

The illustrations are as delightful as ever! One child told me previously that Duncan’s characters feel like ‘they are my friends because they look at me as if inviting me into the story’ and you can instantly understand what they mean when you look at Bush Baby. Her little face bursts with a vast range of emotions as she seeks to share her feelings and those eyes say it all!

‘I Really Really Love You So’ is a complete and utter joy. I can’t wait to see what Bush Baby gets up to next- tackling school, new food, bedtime…who cares?! Whatever she does, it is sure to be the basis of a wonderful story from this very talented duo!

I Really Really Love You So

Karl Newson, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801044080

You can read my review of ‘I Really Really Need a Wee’ here and my Q and A session with Duncan Beedie here.