This Book Will Make You an Artist

February 25, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

This Book Will Make You an Artist
Ruth Millington, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
Nosy Crow

Author and art historian, Ruth Millington, has created a truly inspiring book. Together with illustrator Ellen Surrey, she takes readers through the essential steps towards becoming an artist. First she looks at where our artistic endeavours might take place, then presents various tools and materials that artists use and introduces the colour wheel. Thereafter come the spreads that showcase individual artists, their techniques and examples of their creations.

Ellen’s superb illustrations will surely invite readers to experiment with hand printing in the style of a cave painter, use tiny tessera to design a mosaic like an ancient Roman, experiment with block printing in the style of Katsushika Hokusai, emulate Moses Williams by cutting a silhouette portrait,

have a go at pointillism, the technique used by George Seurat or, inspired by seeing the illustration of Yayoi Kusama’s work, even try making a polka-dot pumpkin. Maybe you’d rather get crafty and wrap a string sculpture like Judith Scott: I learned from this book that as well as wrapping many everyday items, she also covered herself in ribbons, scarves and fabric to make a sculpture of her own head. Also showcased among others, are Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Liu Bolin aka ‘the invisible man’ – a total of twenty five in all.

Back matter includes a glossary of terms and a short paragraph about both author and illustrator of this excellent book, one I’d suggest isn’t only for children. Anyone interested in art will find this a valuable resource.

It’s Time to Hush and say Goodnight / Our Gorgeous Baby

February 24, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Both picture books are Walker Books publications: thank you to the publishers for sending them for review.

It’s Time to Hush and say Goodnight
Chitra Soundar and Sandhya Prabhat

Inspired by old Indian lullabies, Chitra’s rhyming narrative and Sandhya’s nocturnal scenes that begin in a small child’s bedroom and then transport both the toddler and readers through lush dreamscapes – whistling caves, watery worlds, past weird and wonderful monsters, across the starry sky and more,

– as the parent’s words conjure wondrous images into a fabulous quilt of dreams. All the while as the illustrations show, the father is coping with a gamut of infant emotions before peace descends and all is quiet, the child sound asleep in bed in his father’s arms.

With its oft repeated refrain, ‘ Count the stars that twinkle bright. / It’s time to hush and say good night.’ this is a smashing book to share with a little one just before bedtime; it’s infused with love and the magical images of possibilities inspired by the interplay of the verbal and visual.

Our Gorgeous Baby
Smriti Halls and Eve Coy

The baby featured in Eve Coy’s illustrations certainly lives up to the title; she is truly adorable. Somewhat chunky, full of playful mischief, determined and very vocal in her own way, she beguiles those who don’t know her well. However, pay a visit to her loving family’s home and you will get a more realistic view of this ‘princess’. Meal times are an opportunity for mess making,

bathtime simply bubbles over and don’t even think she’ll allow family members to get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. Nonetheless, it’s clear, mum, dad and big sister consider her an absolute treasure and I suspect, so too will readers of Smriti’s rhyming description of the infant, which was inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130.

Yesterday Crumb and the Tea Witch’s Secret

February 23, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Yesterday Crumb and the Tea Witch’s Secret
Andy Sagar
Orion

This third instalment of Andy’s series is every bit as full of enchantment as the previous adventures starring apprentice tea witch Yesterday (Essie), Miss Dumpling et al. As the story starts, Yesterday and her best buddy, confectionary witch Jack, are together in the tearoom and Jack is testing his latest product, Gravitational Gumdrops on himself. Yesterday’s delight at Jack’s success however, is quickly replaced by renewed concerns about her evil stepfather, Mr Weep’s unknown reasons for restoring Jack to life; she feels certain it will have undesirable consequences for both of them.

Suddenly as she’s pondering this, a not-badger arrives with a letter for her. It’s from her mother, Nuala Quirk. Having located her whereabouts and paid her a visit, Yesterday, somewhat unsure her mother is to be trusted, is more determined than ever to put a final stop to Weep’s evil intentions, so she calls on her fellow tea witches for help. However the Lord of the Dead is already a step ahead as, one by one her potential allies become victims of a strange flower that turns their hearts cold and sets them against one another. War is surely brewing.

Now in her greatest challenge yet, Yesterday must work out a way to defeat the malevolent flowers, prevent Mr Weep from executing his wicked plans and finally end his dark reign. And her mother: what will be her fate?

Along I suspect, with a considerable number of adult reviewers, and countless child readers, I have loved the opportunities to escape into the superbly crafted magical world of possibilities that is Dwimmerly End, watch Yesterday find there a host of wonderful friends and with determination, grow through some decidedly dark events, towards reaching her full potential.

What a superbly satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I will truly miss the eccentric characters with their quirks and know that in the near future I will go back, sit with a mug of hot chocolate and relish all over again, the previous stories.

One Goose Two Moose / Ten Little Ducklings

February 23, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

One Goose Two Moose
Kael Tudor and Nicola Slater
Scholastic

Under the direction of a rather bossy goose named Simon, a queue, no make that two queues, are forming outside an ice cream shop. There’s a goose line and a moose line. The trouble is the customers are having trouble getting in the assigned lines. Should I say it’s mainly the Moose that keep getting it wrong to the considerable annoyance of Simon Goose.

Whether it’s intentional or down to the fact that none of the queuers can read the signs, it’s somewhat chaotic. Eventually though after a lot of angst on Simon’s part, there is a line with seven geese, one behind the other. Are those in said line now about to take turns to make a purchase of some delicious frozen confection of their choice?

Look carefully in the bottom right corner of Nicola’s spread showing the seven; there’s something lurking that might just sabotage the entire system. I wonder who gets the last laugh …

Debut author Kael Tudor’s text is huge fun with some cheeky counting opportunities included, and illustrator Nicola has clearly enjoyed herself creating snazzy attire for the moose and geese. Young listeners will delight in the daftness of the whole thing and demand “Read it again” each time you share the story.

Ten Little Ducklings
Lucy Rowland and Aki
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

‘The sun is up, / it’s a brand new day. Ten little ducklings / want to play.’ And play they surely do in this delightful, interactive, rhyming game of hide-and-seek. First they splash around in the pool, swimming, diving, floating and fishing. Thereafter they zoom around on their scooters, take to the sky in hot air balloons, frolic in the farmyard, explore the jungle, have a snowball fight, attend a chaotic birthday tea, spend time on the beach and eventually tire themselves out ready for bed.

Before Lucy Rowland’s rhyming text begins, is a spread whereon each duckling is named and there’s a never mentioned eleventh character, a little mouse that triumphantly calls, ‘I see you, duckling!’ on every spread bar the final one whereon we assume, he reads the weary ducklings a bedtime story. Aki’s bright scenes have just the right amount of detail for little children who will have great fun finding whichever duckling is hiding in plain sight in every playful situation. I wonder if they might, on a second reading, go back and try naming the one they need to find each time.

What the Worm Saw / Christopher Nibble

February 22, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

What the Worm Saw
Emil Fortune and Hannah Peck
Scholastic

Meet Earthworm,’ long, pink and wriggly’ is how it describes itself (earthworms are hermaphrodites) and in common with fellow earthworms is an important part of a garden ecosystem, helping to create and maintain healthy garden soil; and thus performing a vital role in the natural world. Talking directly to an intended young audience, the narrator Earthworm explains that it spends most of the time deep down in the soil, sometimes surfacing to nibble at old fallen leaves and petals from plants, It’s not always safe to do so however as a hungry hedgehog

or bird on the lookout for it’s next meal might want to slurp it up in a similar way that an earthworm consumes soil, pooping out what it doesn’t need; or maybe, a human foot might tread on it and squash the Earthworm.

This fun narrative way of informing young children about the vital role earthworms play works well, especially with Hannah Peck’s engaging illustrations. There’s a final page giving some earthworm facts and the book is published in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It’s one to share with young children at home or in an educational setting.

Christopher Nibble
Charlotte Middleton
Graffeg

Along with numerous other guinea pigs resident in Dandeville, Christopher Nibble loves dandelion leaves; indeed his favourite activity is munching them. Then one day the joyful sound of munching starts to wane indicating that these leaves are in short supply. Those which are available are being sold online at an extortionate price so instead, the guinea pigs have to make do with cabbage leaves. Dandeville is suddenly a much less happy place.

One day there’s just a single dandelion left in the town and as it’s growing right outside his bedroom window, Christopher Nibble is the only one that knows about it. Oh how his mouth waters but he knows he must resist the temptation to gobble it up and he must ensure than nobody else does so. Resolving to find a way to restore the town’s favourite snack, Christopher Nibble heads to the library where he finds a large book that could be just what he needs. Having read it carefully from cover to cover, can he use his new found knowledge to make Dandeville the cheerful community it once was?

With his patterned shorts Christopher Nibble is a delightful character and a green hero at that. Young children will be rooting for him as he endeavours to turn a crisis into a cultivating craft.

A tale with a timely message about caring for the natural world that is even more pertinent than it was when the original book was published around fifteen years back.

L is for Love

February 21, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

L is for Love
Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank
Walker Books

‘L is for Love and L is for Lemons.’ So begins this wonderfully warm story wherein Mama, Baba and three young children set out from their village very early one morning with baskets of lemons bound for the market in Lagos city where they hope to sell all their fruit. It’s a very long way and with limited light, one of the children trips over a large log lying across the path, hurts a leg and starts limping.

As luck would have it, along comes a lorry and the kind driver stops and picks them all up. Having driven through stormy weather the lorry emerges into daylight where most of the wild animals still seem to be sleeping.

Eventually they reach their destination, the sprawling bustling city of Lagos that is full of sounds and bursting with life. There in the market place the family lay out out their stall and set to work selling their produce.

Then comes lunch and after that it’s time to start the very long journey home. Finally, late in the evening, they arrive to find Gran and Grandpa awaiting with outstretched loving arms to hug the travellers.

Joy abounds in Angela Brooksbank’s vibrant scenes that amplify Atinuke’s cleverly constructed alliterative sentences each of which (except one) starts ‘L is for …’ and take both the family and readers on a journey through the panoramic West African landscape. Rich in sensory experiences, this is a wonderful opportunity for young children, be they at home or in the classroom, to discover something about a culture which to the majority will be new.

L most definitely is for love where this reviewer is concerned.

Mo’s Best Friend

February 20, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Mo’s Best Friend
Bridget Marzo
Otter-Barry Books

This story was inspired by an amazing discovery almost thirty years ago, of footprints – one of a child, the other a dog – by archaeologists working in the Chalet cave in France.
Mo and her family live in the Stone Age, the little girl’s main role being to watch over baby Babba, her fast crawling sibling who isn’t yet aware of danger. Mo has a favourite place away from the rest of her family, a kind of den where she takes her food and listens to the sounds around.

One day when so doing, she hears an unfamiliar YIP YIP coming from a bush. Despite what she’s been told about wild creatures being dangerous, Mo goes to investigate and discovers a small animal, all by itself. When it starts yelping, she looks closely and finds a thorn in its paw. Having had the thorn removed, the little animal wants to play and the two form a friendship, playing together all afternoon.

Then comes a call from Ma summoning her daughter and Mo decides to introduce her new friend to the family. Their reaction is one of horror and they scare the little creature off. Almost simultaneously they realise Babba is missing and a search begins with Mo leading the way. Suddenly Mo notices a footprint and then they hear a ‘WOOF WOOF!’ It’s her new friend and to almost everyone’s surprise, he’s protecting little Babba from a hungry lynx.

Henceforward, its’s not only Mo who has a new friend. I wonder what they decide to name him …

Bridget Marco’s scenes of the simple hunter/gatherer lifestyle of the family group are executed in gouache, and the ochre hues employed are true to the archaeological evidence and cave paintings from 25 thousand years ago. Back matter provides a spread showing stone-age survival skills including flint knapping, and there’s also reproductions of the photos of the human and dog footprints found in the cave.

Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery

February 20, 2024jillrbennett 1 Comment

Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery
Laura Ellen Anderson
Farshore

Having loved both of Laura’s Amelia Fang and Rainbow Grey series, I was probably predisposed to like this, the first in her magical new series set in a world of minibeasts. It most certainly lives up to my expectations.

Meet Marnie Midnight; she’s just metamorphosed into a moth and is mega excited about going to Minibeast Academy for the first time, especially as her hero, Lunora Wingheart is, or possibly was, an alumna. On the journey to school she meets not quite a bee, Floyd (an A not a bee, so he tells Marnie). Marnie is eager to learn about the moon and especially the moon magic in the book of Moon Spells that Lunora told the world about before her disappearance.

However when she asks her form teacher, Mr Atlas, whether the moon is in the first year curriculum she receives the response. “There will be no talk of the moon in this school.” She soon finds that other teachers and many pupils don’t believe in moon magic. Why? Marnie wonders.

Another of the first year pupils is Star Vonstrosity, an ant princess who snubs Marnie initially. During their lunch break while Marnie and Floyd are exploring, they come upon first an old tunnel entrance with the words ‘Entry For Den’ and then a no-longer used area with a sign saying Moon Club on the door. When they enter, there is Star and a new friendship develops.

Very soon Marnie senses that something extremely weird is going on and she’s determined to discover what. With her two allies, Marnie begins a thrilling quest, a quest that before long, leads them to a realisation that Mr Atlas has destructive plans where the moon is concerned. Can the three friends pull off Operation save the moon?

This is a fast moving story told with humour (“Never trust an earthworm with a jetpack” is a line I won’t forget), a degree of tension, and lots of charm. With her unique imagination Laura has created another fabulous world with a cast of wonderful characters: Marnie is determined, brave, loyal and not afraid to say what she thinks; Star is full of surprises and Floyd a dapper delight. The illustrations are brilliant with lots of fun details. Seamlessly woven into this wonderful world are real life minibeast details and facts. What more can any young reader want? A happy ending maybe – we have that too.

Feather

February 19, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Feather
M. G. Leonard
Walker Books

This is the fourth and final book in what has been an absolutely brilliant series, a series that celebrates friendship, bird watching and the natural world. Herein the Twitchers find themselves
on the trail of a gang of ruthless rare artefact thieves as well as protecting somebody who may have been involved in the crime.

The story begins when Ava is on an end of term class visit to the Swan natural history museum. An alarm sounds and hearing a rustling, she delays leaving and by chance is present when, what turns out to be a daring and well-executed robbery of rare, vintage bird ‘skins’ takes place. Who would want such things – a fashion designer perhaps?

Once outside the museum she encounters an unusual girl with a pet raven waiting at the bus stop opposite. Does she know anything, Ava wonders. With the school trip suddenly curtailed, and a possible clue in her bag, rather than going back home early, she messages her friends and she decides to head off to Briddvale and seek the help of the other Twitchers. Needless to say, the Twitchers are immediately onto this, especially as it involves rare avian specimens of historical importance.

Ava takes the lead in this adventure and some of her actions are exceedingly risky, especially as she is soon as anxious to help Rae (the bus stop girl), who is clearly in need, as she is to get to the bottom of the feather heist, though the two strands are intertwined.

M. G. Leonard includes an amazing amount of detail about bird species and the history of scientists such as Wallace and Darwin; and she clearly respects her audience showing rather than telling lots of the story. Inspired by a true crime, this tension-filled mystery is a superb conclusion to the seasonal quartet and perfect for deep thinking nature-loving readers.

There’s A Gorilla At The Door!

February 19, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

There’s A Gorilla At The Door!
Clare Helen Welsh and Sam Caldwell
Little Tiger

Daphne and her Mum have just moved in with Anthony; Daphne really misses her friends and so the grown-ups decide to have a family party. Daphne has initial concerns about being bored but is even more concerned at the attire she is expected to wear. to meet the “ wacky bunch1” Anthony calls them, insisting that her help is required.

First to rock up is Aunt Gertrude with a troupe of lively little cousins that Daphne gets on with immediately. These are followed by in turn a bouncy marsupial with a pouch full of popcorn, a fair few flying mammals led by Grandpa Bruce,

a pachyderm on roller skates and a veritable menagerie of family members large and small, feathered, furry and smooth skinned. Things get rather out of hand

and despairing, Daphne cries in alarm, “Can’t we get along? … This doesn’t feel like a happy family party!”

Anthony responds with an idea: will it solve the situation or will it further ferment the family fiasco?
With language play aplenty, the spirited text presents a recently blended family with a host of totally unlikely relations whose antics are sure to amuse young listeners. So too are Sam Caldwell’s scenes of the creatures’ crazy capers.

Habitats

February 18, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Habitats
Hannah Pang and Isobel Lundie
Little Tiger

We visit six different locations in this journey around the world. The first stop is a tropical rainforest in Borneo where brief descriptions together with Isobel Lundie’s split page style illustrations introduce four or five animals and plant residents of every level from the canopy to the forest floor, each opposite to a scene in which animals are depicted.

From there we move on to in turn the Namibian desert in south-western Africa; a location off the eastern coast of Australia where we visit every layer of the ocean including the Great Barrier Reef home to thousands of different species including what is thought to be the only reef manta ray discovered in the world.

Germany’s Black Forest is the next to be explored; it’s home to badgers, red foxes, hedgehogs, peregrine falcons, adders, barn owls and pygmy owls as well as bark beetles that lay their eggs beneath the bark of spruce trees causing considerable damage to the trees.
Then it’s on to The Andes, a part of the world rich in bird species including the Andean condor, black-chested buzzard eagles and water birds such as Chilean flamingos and Darwin’s rheas, the males of which do the early caring of the chicks. There too lives the Patagonian dragon, an insect with antifreeze in its blood that allows it to live on the glacier ice.
The final stop is Florida’s natural springs where you might catch sight of a raccoon or a nine-banded armadillo.

With facts aplenty and vibrant collage style art, this engaging book will be enjoyed by young budding naturalists who will surely agree with Hannah Pang’s concluding statement ‘… animal habitats connect together into one amazing home. … Our Earth.’

Secret Agent Mole

February 17, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Secret Agent Mole
James Foley
Scholastic

Anarchic nonsense in graphic novel form, this story introduces readers to secret agents in training Max Mole, Helena Hippo and June Bug, an unlikely trio if ever there was one. Under the watchful eyes of the judges, these friends are on a mission – their very first – to go up against the nefarious Dr Nude. However having done so, one of the three doesn’t satisfy the judges, which means that despite the other two passing with flying colours, the whole team fails the test. They still have two chances left though.

Then comes news of another case: the First Bank of New York has just been robbed and Interpol need their assistance. Eric Goldfishfinger and his pufferfish partner in crime have stolen 10 million $ in gold bars. Catching them is the next mission for the three trainees. The chase is on … Can they catch the fishy thieves before they get that priceless solid gold fish finger?

You never know: they might even live up to the new name agent Walrus has put forward for the agency: The Official International League Exterminating Terrorism with its inevitable acronym.
What will the judges back at HQ have decided about granting Max, Helena and Bug’s secret agent licences?

With a fair degree of TOILET humour, flushings of puns and other sizeable servings of silliness, this will get young readers giggling (and groaning) from start to finish.

Yomi and the Power of the Yumboes / Mirabelle and the Midnight Feast

February 16, 2024jillrbennett 1 Comment

Yomi and the Power of the Yumboes
Davina Tijani, illustrated by Adam Douglas-Bagley
Little Tiger

Starring Yomi and her younger brother, Kayode, this is the second in an exciting series that is based on African mythology. The siblings, now in Senegal, are officially members of the Sacred Beast League and Yomi is getting bored with sorting her uncle’s paperwork; what she wants to be doing is having another adventure, one that involves finding a Yumboe, the most powerful of African fairies so Uncle Olu’s Beast Atlas says. When she asks her uncle about them he tells the siblings that although the SLB has been looking for these fairies for years none have been found although the Beast Hunters are always on the watch for them.

That night Yomi is woken by a sound coming from the kitchen. Down she goes to investigate and there before her is a Yumboe sampling the contents of the fridge. The little fairy has a damaged wing. She introduces herself as Safari and tells Yomi that she’s been looking for her and needs Yomi’s help in protecting the Yumboes’ secret city from the destructive Beast Hunters.She also says she’s on a mission to find the Yumboes’ most treasured possession, a moonstone, and that nobody else knows she’s asking humans for help.This is just the kind of adventure Yomi has been waiting for so she promises that she and Kay will do their utmost to help. And so they do. But can they possibly outsmart the Beast Hunters? They’ll most definitely need to make use of all their skills, not to mention some special silver energy from that wonderful silver star.

Having faced perils aplenty, this thrilling, fast paced quest with Adam Douglas-Bagley’s powerful illustrations, ends in a way that sets things up for Yomi and Kay’s next mission: South Africa here they come. Bring on some more fascinating African folklore.
For slightly younger readers is

Mirabelle and the Midnight Feast
Harriet Muncasater
Oxford Children’s Books

In this story starring the young narrator with a witch mum and a dad who is a fairy, Mirabelle, is excited that she’s going to be spending time in a witchy environment when she goes for a sleepover, and hopefully a midnight feast, at her best friend Carlotta’s home on the other side of town. The friends have been given strict instructions to stay out of Carlotta’s big sister Edith’s bedroom, not to use any magic and under no circumstances to touch Edith’s new Witch-Twitch-Supreme potion kit. However big sister has gone out for the evening and surely it wouldn’t hurt to sneak into her bedroom and have a look around, so long as they stay well away from that special potion kit. But Mirabelle just can’t resist the allure of Edith’s crystal ball and disaster strikes when it slips out of her fingers, through the window and ends up in pieces on the patio.

Despite their best efforts at repairs, they don’t fool Edith, but it’s Carlotta who gets blamed for the breakage. Will Mirabelle find the courage to own up and if so, then what?

I know a great many followers of this enchanting series whose eyes will be all sparkly when they get their fingers on the tenth book wherein friendship, sibling solutions and the importance of owning up are key elements.

Kwame’s Magic Quest: Rise of the Green Flame / Future Hero: Battle For Sky Kingdom

February 15, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Kwame’s Magic Quest: Rise of the Green Flame
Bernard Mensah, illustrated by Natasha Nayo
Scholastic

Eight year old Kwame wakes feeling super-excited: today he will start Nkonyaa School and finally learn some calabash magic. That means finding out his magic type: maybe he’ll be a Weather Handler like his mum, or perhaps a Time Bender like his Dad. However, when his turn comes to stand before the Nkonyaa Tree and tap his head against its trunk, things don’t exactly go as anticipated for a red light pulses forth – something it’s never done before according to elder, Ms Dofi. She takes the calabash that falls, explains the procedure to Kwame and enters the hut, leaving him waiting outside. It transpires that his calabash hasn’t reacted like those of other students. Kwame fears something is wrong with it. When it’s time to be assigned rooms, Kwame is put with a boy named Fifi and before they go to sleep, the two have become friends.

Next morning things still aren’t going right for Kwame: his calabash isn’t accepting his gift. Kwame begins to fear he’ll be kicked out of the school but as the day progresses, Fifi is subjected to bullying, after which there’s more trouble. Can Kwame finally discover his magic power and help his friend?

Wow! The author has packed so much into such a short adventure, I suspect young readers will devour it a in a single sitting. With its themes of friendship and helping another in need, there’s a fair amount of Ghanian culture woven into the tale. In addition, back matter includes a spread giving additional information about Ghana and its ethnic groups. Natasha Nayo’s black and white illustrations break up the text and add further interest to the story.

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Future Hero: Battle For Sky Kingdom
Remi Blackwood
Scholastic

This is the final story in the thrilling Future Hero fantasy quartet. With the astounding revelation that he is the Future Hero of the oppressed people of his ancestral land of Ulfrika – a land ruled over by Ikala, an evil sorcerer – young Jarell’s life has changed forever.

Now he must make a final visit – via the barber’s shop mirror – to Sky City to stop Ikala getting his hands on the Iron Eagle, the last remaining animal from the Staff of Kundi.. That means Jarell must win the deadly gladiatorial competition to find Ulfrika’s greatest warrior, for which the Iron Eagle is offered as the prize. Fortunately though, he won’t be travelling alone; some friends, one of whom is young warrior Kimisi, are also making the journey.

Fraught with danger from the outset, is the battle he faces a challenge from which Jarell can emerge victorious? Followers of the series who will be rooting for Jarell, will certainly be satisfied with how the saga ends, but if you haven’t read any of the previous books, I recommend you do so before plunging into this one.

Green: The Story of Plant Life on Our Planet

February 15, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Green: The Story of Plant Life on Our Planet
Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton
Walker Books

Starting with a single tree, team Nicola and Emily take readers on a journey through the natural world focusing on the vital importance of plant life. In so doing such topics as the process of photosyntheses

and the opposite process, respiration, are elucidated in the author’s carefully considered prose, She takes us right back to 4.5 billion years ago when earth’s air was toxic, moving forward a billion years when the very first plant microbes began to release oxygen into the air and more diverse life forms became possible. We learn how over millions of years the remains of forests were turned into the fossil fuels coal, gas and oil within which were enormous stores of carbon dioxide and energy from sunlight, this energy being used by humans for their various needs It’s terrible to realise that in so doing we have caused the formation of a thick blanket of CO₂ around the Earth thus stopping heat from escaping, the consequence being global warming.

All is not lost though for plants continue to do their work, giving shade, releasing water to create rain as well as using their ‘greenness to trap energy from sunlight and locking CO₂ in their leaves, branches and roots. Plants however need to work with other living things such as animals and fungi to do this, as well as working with each other in communities that Nicola calls ‘great green nations’

This is why it is vital everybody, the world over, stops destroying forests and polluting the oceans and focuses on protecting all things green.

Once again Nicola’s passion, knowledge and understanding shine through her carefully chosen words: the text in combination with Emily’s captivating, detailed scenes have created a book which gives us all hope that it’s not too late for our precious planet.

One Sweet Song

February 14, 2024jillrbennett 1 Comment

One Sweet Song
Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Sonia Sánchez
Walker Books

Across the city, its diverse residents stay within the confines of their homes. On a balcony a woman plays a note on her flute – ‘One note trills … / floating in the air.’ It’s heard by a child nearby looking through her window who picks up her triangle, steps onto the balcony and ‘rings a chime,/ soft and true./ One note trills, and/ now there are two.’ This prompts another neighbour to play his violin and then other people and their instruments including a saucepan and spoon,

a cello, a ghatam, a morsing, and bottles join as the music rises until the rhyming text reaches ten, voices young and not so young, sing out and the entire area feels connected and alive with a harmonious sound. “One sweet song that fills the space, / one sweet song, / a warm embrace.’ Then slowly, one at a time the instruments come to rest once more,

leaving everyone at peace with themselves and the world.

Powerful rhythms and lilting rhyme combined with spirited illustrations that have coloured swirls and musical notes weaving in and out of the homes, make a once separated community united by joy.
Author Jyoti and illustrator Sonia have together created a wonderful celebration of the healing power of music and its capacity to bring people together even in difficult times such as the recent pandemic.

Keisha Jones is a Force of Nature / Time Travellers: Adventure Calling

February 13, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Keisha Jones is a Force of Nature
Natalie Denny, illustrated by Chanté Timothy
Little Tiger

The story’s narrator, young activist, eight year old Keisha Jones truly is a force to be reckoned with. In this book she extends her force field to a second cause, one inspired by her great-aunt Bee and her fight to keep a green space popular with the local community, out of the hands of a property developer. When she learns of the vital importance of trees to life itself (VITs as they become following a talk with teacher, Mr Logan,) she is immediately fired up.

Even more so when she hears of the mayor’s plan to have all the trees in Olive Meadows felled and the land turned into a car park for the mall. Keisha has less than three weeks to formulate a plan. Of course she needs to enlist the other members of the Bee Squad as well as Grandpa Joe, and reporter Rosie Parker, especially when Operation VIT isn’t quite going according to plan. For a start Mayor Branch won’t answer any of Keisha’s phone calls and she’s running up an enormous mobile bill causing Mum to revoke her phone privileges as well as treats. HMM!

Next move a protest at the site on Timber Teardown day. What will happen there: success or failure? And then … As Grandpa Joe says on World Environment Day, “ There’s something inside you, Keisha. A light. It makes the world a better and brighter place!”

Another winner for author Natalie Denny and illustrator Chanté Timothy: readers around Keisha’s age will be rooting for her and her cause right from the outset. Hopefully they too will be inspired to do some tree planting in their own local area.

Time Travellers: Adventure Calling
Sufiya Ahmed
Little Tiger

Suhana, Ayaan and Mia are among the short-listed pupils in an art competition and as a consequence, along with children from other schools, have been invited to visit the Houses of Parliament. Having been given a tour by Mike, one of the guides, they are given worksheets to do in threes on the associated history and the winners will receive book tokens. Suhana, Mia and Ayaan quickly become fascinated by what they discover and unexpectedly Suhana’s mobile phone mysteriously transports them to 1911!

Almost straightaway they are confronted by a police officer demanding to know what they’re up to and talking of a coronation. The children know they have just a few hours to explore so they need to make the most of the situation. Soon they find themselves in what Ayaan thinks is a suffragette march that includes to Suhanna’s surprise, some Indian women. One of them tells her that they are actually not suffragettes but suffragists, explaining the difference: suffragists believe in non-violent action. This was Lolita Roy, one of a group of South Asian women living in the UK at that time who played an important role in getting women the right to vote.

Having started this adventure considering herself something of an outsider, by the end, Suhana feels that she is part of a team with two new friends: the Time Travellers.

As well as a dramatic adventure, this enormously readable book offers a great introduction to how politics works and the role MPs are supposed to play in society. I strongly recommend it for KS 2 readers and look forward to the next adventure of those Time Travellers.

Meet the Dinosaurs

February 13, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Meet the Dinosaurs
Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Countless young dinosaur devotees will doubtless be eager to clamber into the jeep along with the child driver and her canine friend, belt themselves in securely and set off on a dinosaur safari that, after a visit to a modern day museum, zooms back in time to when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth many millennia ago.
On arrival, the visitors park the jeep, climb out and onto the back of a massive Brontosaurus that is ready and waiting to take them off to meet lots of other dinos. Some, such as the chatty Stegosaurus Diplodocus and Triceratops with its eight hundred teeth, are hospitable, giving the visitors information about themselves and their lifestyle. Others including Allosaurus,

Spinosaurus, the Velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus are ready to talk about themselves but far from friendly, indeed they’re fearsome carnivorous beasties. Not so however, those Pterodactyls that swoop above the jeep as the visitors realise it’s time to head home once more.

Caryl Hart has included a wealth of fascinating facts in her ebullient rhyming narrative that reads aloud really well and in combination with Bethan Woollvin’s instantly recognisable, bold, bright scenes, equally alive with detail, make this action packed adventure one that listeners will want to embark on more than just once or twice.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr / The Best Eid Ever

February 12, 2024jillrbennett 1 Comment

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Sarah Khan and Nadiyah Suyatna
Words & Pictures

Raya, a little Muslim girl invites readers and listeners to meet her Mama and Aba (who come from different cultural backgrounds) and share what happens during Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, especially in their family. By means of both Sarah Khan’s narrative and Nadiyah Suyatna’s richly coloured illustrations, young children will discover that Ramadan is a month of fasting during the day from dawn to sunset, doing good deeds and being kind and patient to everybody and showing mercy to others.

Then comes Eid-al-Fitr. Raya wears her best bright clothes when she accompanies her parents to the local park where they will join in the Eid prayer, wish one another Eid Mubarak, play games and have a wonderful time. Later there is a big family feast where all Raya’s relations sit down together and share tasty food, both savoury and sweet. This is followed by game playing and a late night. It’s no surprise that Raya tells readers that Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are her favourite time of the year.

The book concludes with ‘fun facts’ including a presentation of the Five Pillars of Islam, a spread on the lunar calendar and a recipe. Informative and easy to understand this is spot on for KS1 class sharing.

The Best Eid Ever
Sufiya Ahmed and Hazem Asif
Bloomsbury Education

This story starts on the day before Eid al-Fitr with the sighting of the crescent moon signifying the end of the month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is eight year old Aisha’s favourite festival and she’s excited at the prospect of receiving Eid gifts. This year these have been hidden and in order to find them, Aisha and her brother, Samir, must solve a sequence of clues.

Before that though, there are other traditions to complete. Mum decorates her daughter’s hands with beautiful henna designs; there are decorations to hang up, but Aisha doesn’t help as the henna takes two hours to dry by which time it’s sleep time.

Next morning Aisha again starts asking about hunting for those gifts. First though, wearing their new clothes, the family go to say their Eid prayers at the mosque, after which they say, “Eid Mubarak!” to all their family and friends. Back at home, the two siblings take homemade sweets to all their neighbours

and once that’s done, everyone sits down for lunch. At long last Aisha gets the first clue to finding her gifts and the treasure hunt gets under way.

After the story there’s a page of Eid related facts, and a final glossary.
Young listeners will enjoy hearing of Aisha’s eagerness for that treasure hunt, which crops up frequently throughout the narrative. They’ll also enjoy the details and rich patterns in the vibrant illustrations. Personally I’m not keen on digitally created facial features, especially eyes; they remind me too much of those ‘googly eyes’ sold in craft shops. Nonetheless this book is certainly one to include in class collections for sharing with KS1 children before Eid.

Heroes / I Survived The Battle of D-Day, 1944

February 10, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Heroes
Alan Gratz
Scholastic

In this gripping story we follow best friends Frank and his Japanese American buddy Stanley who live in Pearl Harbour Hawaii. Frank’s father is a Navy fighter pilot and Stanley’s works at the Naval Air Station, with both families living on the base. It’s December 1941 and the two boys are sailing across the harbour brainstorming their own superhero comic book character (Frank is the writer, Stanley the illustrator) as the book opens. Frank is hiding a secret anxiety of getting hurt as a result of what he calls ‘The Incident’ but it becomes evident when he avoids helping Stanley confront bullies, which prompts Stanley to ask, “How do you think you can write about heroes if you can’t be one yourself?” At this time the war in Europe seems distant to the boys until that is, Frank’s sister’s boyfriend, Brooks, who is in the navy is showing the boys around a battleship and suddenly planes start dropping bombs on all the battleships.. They realise this isn’t a drill, it’s an attack by the Japanese.

As a consequence, the boys witness horror after horror. Then there’s the issue that Stanley appears Japanese and has Japanese ancestry meaning that he is suddenly subjected to racism. This causes the Japanese Americans to start digging holes in the yard to bury any relics or heirlooms relating to their ancestry. However the situation does ultimately allow Frank to address the episode that has long haunted him relating to friendship, loyalty and his own mental health. Can he overcome his fears and stand by his best friend even when they have to part? Before so doing though they agree to continue working on the comic. And so they do: the final chapter of the novel is followed by the two boys’ ten page comic, The Arsenal of Democracy.

Well researched, totally gripping, albeit heartbreaking where we read of those who perished in the attack and the responses of those who help the injured. Back matter includes a map of Pearl Harbour December 7 1941 and an author’s note, both of which are important.

Equally affecting, with a French setting and presented in graphic novel form is:

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I Survived The Battle of D-Day, 1944
Lauren Tarshis and Brian Churilla
Scholastic

As the book opens Paul Colbert is walking in the rain through the Normandy village where he lives with his mother. It’s been under Nazi occupation for a long time but he’s trying to forget this and the fact that his Jewish best friend is missing and focus on his mother’s birthday. He follows a pigeon and discovers a US army paratrooper, Sergeant Victor Lopez, caught in a tree having jumped from his plane. Paul helps to free him and rather than let him fall into enemy hands, he leads the man to a nearby abandoned castle.

Or so he thinks, for the building is actually being used as a resistance hideout. And, to his joy there he discovers his old teacher, Mr Leon, whom he thought was dead.

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Paul finds himself drawn into the underground organisation, playing a vital part in the Allies secret plans to cross the English Channel and land on the beaches of Normandy with the hope that France can be liberated.

Primary age readers, like this adult reviewer will be enthralled by this, especially the bravery shown by the Resistance and the military forces, and of course Paul. With the D-Day 80th anniversary this summer, this is a must for KS2/KS3 resources. (The author includes a timeline and other historical notes at the end of the book.)

I Really Really Need A Poo

February 9, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

I Really Really Need A Poo
Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie
Little Tiger

The adorable Bush Baby created by Karl and Duncan is back with another piece of toilet humour.

The trouble here is that a poo really needs to be done in private and the little animal is having a great deal of trouble finding a suitable place to do her dumping. She hunts high and low, has several near messy mishaps

and produces a fair few farts until eventually she wiggle walks her way to a truly palatial building consisting of what appear to be purpose built creature compartments.

Joy of joys, one of them is vacant so in goes Bush Baby.

Yes, the toilet is rather on the large size for so small a user as our furry narrator but nonetheless she gets busy. While seated however, she spies beneath the door a pair of furry feet; but Bush Baby needs to finish her business before she makes an exit.

Having relieved herself at long last, she opens the door and there before her is a very large ursine character who is desperate to use his personalised facility. So desperate that he ignores Bush Baby’s warning and heads right inside … PHOAH! Anyone have any air freshener?

Karl’s increasingly tense rhyming text together with Duncan’s hilarious illustrations of the ever more anxious Bush Baby are certain to induce plenty of giggles when adults share this with little ones be that at home or in the nursery or classroom.

The Brilliant Brain

February 9, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

The Brilliant Brain
Dr Roopa Farooki and Viola Wang
Walker Books

I wonder how many young children realise just how crucial a role the brain plays in controlling what happens in the human body. When I asked nearly four year old Faith where her brain was, her reply “In my tummy” (as her mum is a GP, I think maybe she was joking) it made me realise we had better start sharing Dr Roopa’s guided tour around the brain and its amazing workings, aimed at young children.

Having confirmed that the brain’s location is in her head, how big it is and its role as a kind of ‘control room’, we explored the rest of the book. Herein it’s explained that our brains are responsible for our thoughts, feelings and memories,

as well as for telling our legs to walk and our lungs to breathe. It’s good to see the author doesn’t shy away from using such anatomical terms as cerebrum and cerebellum

as well as naming the various lobes, the spinal cord and nerves, each of which is defined.briefly. I like too, the way she explores in gently humorous, age appropriate language, the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. Her enthusiasm for her subject is evident and in a final author’s note, Dr Roopa shares some tips on how to look after the brain. Throughout, Viola Wang’s bright illustrations with just the right degree of detail, elucidate the author’s text, making this an ideal book to read with foundation stage children both at home and in an educational setting.

I look forward to further titles in Dr Roopa’s Body Books series.

Who Rules the Rockpool?

February 8, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Who Rules the Rockpool?
Matty Long
Oxford Children’s Books

Who rules the rockpool is the subject of strong disagreement between the book’s narrator, Crab, and Prawn, so the former sets out to explain his thinking to his friend. There’s his courage and strength and that makes him rule supreme. Toughness is not sufficient to ensure one’s survival, insists Prawn; one needs to be smart and not take unnecessary risks as well.

All of a sudden an enormous wave washes the two pals into a much deeper pool where Crab, who naturally wants to rule this new abode, cannot resist challenging the creatures residing therein to a show of strength. To Crab’s surprise, not a single one of the animals is the least interested in a fight. Rather in turn, they give him clues about the rockpool ruler’s identity.

It is many limbed, has the ability to move both in the water and on land, and is brilliant at camouflage. During his search for the ruler Crab becomes absolutely convinced it’s him they’re talking of and because of that, he places himself in a life-threatening situation. Will he survive to tell the tale? And what about that titular question now?

With Matty Long’s characteristic comical, cartoonish art, witty speech bubbles, jokes and splendidly silly scenarios, this subaquatic story will keep young readers entertained for a considerable while. Its three final pages provide some fun facts and an illustrated list of ‘colourful critters’ to send readers searching back through the book as well as onto the seashore to investigate rockpools.

Time Travelling with a Tortoise

February 7, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Time Travelling with a Tortoise
Ross Welford
Harper Collins Children’s Books

This is the brilliantly inventive sequel to Time Travelling with a Hamster wherein Al (Albert Einstein Hawking Chaudhury) and his hamster, Alan Shearer, time travelled into the past to prevent the accident that would prematurely end his father’s life.

This has set everything back the way Al thinks it should be: no infuriating stepfather and no thoroughly annoying stepsister, though somehow it isn’t so. The laws of spacetime are set up to have the last laugh, as Al’s Grandpa points out.

But then an accident in his tuk-tuk for which Al blames himself, leaves Grandpa Byron – he of the truly amazing memory – struggling to remember things. Consequently Al decides to risk another trip back in time, taking with him two companions and they find themselves in a prehistoric dimension where dinosaurs roam. To say things don’t quite go as intended is putting it mildly; they’re way more complex than he ever expected and include that titular tortoise.

Readers will be swept away as Al grapples with the unintended aftermath of his actions; we too feel his guilt, determination, and fear as he navigates the ramifications of his choices.

What a brilliant mix of poignancy, humour and gripping excitement Ross Welford has created once again; but at the heart of everything, quantum physics and all, is the enduring power of human love. I thoroughly endorse Grandpa Byron’s philosophical comment as he and Al sit together at the end, “Sometimes… not getting exactly what you want turns out to be the best luck of all.”

The Bunny Who Came to Breakfast

February 7, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

The Bunny Who Came to Breakfast
Rachael Davis and Mike Byrne
Scholastic

This unlikely tale is narrated by a small boy who, while relaxing with a book, suddenly hears a thump, thumping at the door. Young listeners will likely guess the thumper from the clues in Mike Byrne’s first illustration without needing to turn the page on which further clues in vignette form are offered. The visitor is of course the titular Bunny looking totally cute with a twinkle in her eye, a basket in her paws and one suspects, a rumbly tum. The boy and his grandad invite Bunny to sit at their table, and to say that she has a rather large appetite is a huge understatement. Having consumed slices of bread spread – thickly no doubt – with sweet confectionary items, followed by a whole bunch of carrots as well as goodness knows how many eggs served up in various ways, said Bunny then spies through the window, a trampoline. Claiming to be an expert, out she dashes and proceeds to demonstrate her skills. How she doesn’t throw up is anyone’s guess but having smelled something irresistible, she heads for the chicken coop.

Did I mention a basket? It’s soon full to the brim and rather than saying thanks and cheerio, the visitor proceeds to go back indoors and there Grandad mixes up and presents an enormous stack of further treats. She shares these with her young host but despite declaring herself ‘stuffed’, Bunny hasn’t quite sated her appetite. Only after consuming another of Grandad’s culinary delights, does she announce it’s time to leave, followed can you believe, by another request.
It’s the hosts though who have the final word as they bid their chaos creating visitor farewell.

With a nod to Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came To Tea, this delightfully silly saga delivered through Rachael Davis’ bouncy rhyming text and Mike Byrne’s mouth-watering scenes will have young listeners, in Bunny fashion, calling for more.

The Armadillo Who Came For Dinner

February 6, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

The Armadillo Who Came For Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joêlle Dreidemy
Little Tiger

The latest creature to win the affection of Hotpot in this sixth book featuring the unlikely friends, Wolf, Hotpot and Omelette rolls up one summer’s afternoon when the three are enjoying a relaxing picnic. Having sent the rest of their food flying every which way, what appears to be a boulder crashes into a tree. Surprised at hearing what she thinks is inanimate, crying “Ouch!”, Hotpot goes over to investigate and offer a sympathetic hug. Somewhat disgruntled at having been addressed as Mr Boulder, the thing tells Hotpot that it’s an armadillo – a tough one at that. The tough armadillo’s response to Hotpot’s ‘What’s your name?” is a rather wobbly “I’m … Dizzy.” This prompts Wolf to invite ‘Dizzy’ home with them for dinner and some TLC.

The following morning Dizzy is much better; not so Wolf’s house; that’s a real mess on account of Dizzy’s roly-poly sleeping. Once again Hotpot offers a hug but Dizzy turns her down saying, “I don’t need hugs!” Instead they head outside for a game of football. Dizzy proves surprisingly adept at soccer but having kicked the ball with considerable force,

it goes missing and instead the friends head off to the fair, accompanied by a very enthusiastic Dizzy. So excited is the armadillo that he wrecks the fair and receives a good telling off from Badger. Suddenly Dizzy’s exuberance is gone and off he goes towards some trees.

Is that the last the others will see of the armadillo or will he, as Wolf reassures Hotpot, come back? And if so, what of that oft-refused hug?

Joëlle’s illustrations be they panels, double spread scenes or vignettes exude warmth and gentle humour making every turn of the page a delight and the ideal accompaniment to Steve’s text wherein he makes clever use of alliteration. Those familiar with previous titles in this series will welcome the return of Wolf et al. but equally, anyone new to the threesome will thoroughly enjoy their armadillo adventure.

Chicken Little and the Very Long Race

February 5, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Chicken Little and the Very Long Race
Sam Wedelich
Scholastic Press

Chicken Little returns in a third episode and at the outset she’s feeling bemused. Why the great ado about an announcement that the local record holder, Hare, is to compete in an upcoming marathon, she wonders. The hens have turned the barnyard into a training zone and it seems there’s no getting away from the event. Even though Chicken Little is not by nature a competitive creature, she begins to wonder whether she too should take part. Until that is a certain book penned by Hare appears and her gullible feathered friends start following it to the letter: smoothies aplenty, special ‘Hare-Brand’ sneakers, headbands, self belief in bucket loads, but nothing that might enhance one’s stamina.

Surely not, thinks Chicken Little who tries getting her pals up and doing some preparatory running but they dismiss her concerns, suggesting she prove her running prowess by participating herself, and so she signs up

and starts training, slowly and steadily.

Come race day, Hare is immediately the focus of attention for every chicken, save one. When the race begins it’s soon evident to Chicken Little that the other hens are having serious problems and before long there are only two contenders left in the running. Which one will be first past the post: fame obsessed Hare or our determined little avian competitor?

The combination of Sam Wedelich’s hand-lettered text, speech bubbles and chuckle-inducing digital illustrations make for another fractured fable with an important lesson for humans, as well as for the characters herein.

Huge fun to read aloud to a KS1 class or for solo reading.

Little Chick / Little Bunny / One Little Tadpole

February 4, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Little Chick
Little Bunny
Petr Horacek
Walker Books

Vibrant artwork with cutaway pages and cleverly placed die-cuts, together with simple question and answer texts, will captivate little humans as they follow the titular animals through their simple stories.
The setting for Little Chick is the farm where she encounters in turn, a pig, a smily cat, a large cow and a tiny mouse, before suddenly emerging onto unfamiliar ground where a friendly horse assists the feathered infant in finding its mother, a mother that is also looking for her little one.

Little Bunny’s adventure takes place in the woods. There are lots of birds to spot as well as a friendly brown bear, but in the bushes lurks a red fox that scares the little leporine. Happily though a kindly owl leads the way to the safety of Mummy rabbit’s outstretched paws.

With his trademark glowing colours, Petr Horáček’s interactive ‘peep-through’ books will be enjoyed by adult sharers and the very youngest listeners. No child is too young for books such as these.

For an older audience is

One Little Tadpole
Molly Littleboy and Jacob Sousa
Little Tiger

With more than thirty flaps there is plenty of exploring to be done between the covers of this large board book. Besides the life cycle of the frog there is information about the birds, insects, fish, mammals and the flora likely to be encountered in or around a pond. However, not all the creatures – for instance the two frog species illustrated on ‘The Circle of Life’ spread’ – are ones that UK readers would come across. Nonetheless this is a book that encourages children to use all their senses when exploring in the real world and to this end includes a spread on pond dipping.

It’s also good to see, on the final spread, the suggestion that readers create a miniature pond of their own as a way of helping nature to thrive.

Some of the illustrations give only an impression of the animal rather than an accurate means of identification so, having sparked a child’s interest, one would need to refer to a field guide rather than rely on this book’s visuals.

Clever Crow

February 3, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Clever Crow
Chris Butterworth and Olivia Lomenech Gill
Walker Books

Who would have thought that crows would have the power to captivate but that is just what they do in this unusual non fiction nature book.

In a text that flows along, encompassing everything from feathers to flight techniques and feeding, and more besides, readers will discover that despite not having a melodic song or flashy plumage crows are very clever creatures.

For example these problem solving, tool users are able to extract delicious bugs from between cracks and crevices in the ground using their feet and tough beaks. Moreover, should they have spare food, they dig holes and are able to remember some while later, where it’s hidden.

These birds are playful too and in a manner similar to humans, use play to learn new things. You never know, perhaps you might look out one snowy day and see one or two sliding down a snowy roof.

Unassuming they might be, but these amazing avians can, just like humans, greet one another, tell each other where to find food and warn their fellow crows of danger.

Olivia Lomenech Gill’s mixed media illustrations are realistic yet have something of a magical quality about them and in combination with the words, offer young readers a wonderful and wondrous introduction to crows.

How to Cuddle a Crocodile

February 2, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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How to Cuddle a Crocodile
Sam Wilde and Sarah Horne
Oxford Children’s Books

When choosing a pet, a crocodile wouldn’t be at the top of most people’s list but after careful consideration and taking into account that her dad has allergic reactions to many creatures, our young narrator makes the decision and advertises for a croc. Before long, it’s enter one large scaly, snaggle-toothed reptile with a large grin. Now the carer of such a pet has a lot to learn: it needs regular exercise – that’s challenge number one. Game playing comes next but best avoid ball games,

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and hide-and-seek might prove a tad too protracted, not to mention alarming for others in the vicinity.

Pre bedtime tooth cleaning requires assistance from avians and fortunately this particular crocodile (in common with many of her kind) likes to sleep a great deal. Is she a keeper though, or might it be better to bid one another farewell – by mutual consent of course – and hope something more suitable turns up? Err …

This silly story is followed by a spread of crocodile facts, some of which might come as a surprise to young listeners and adult sharers. Wildly imaginative and sure to bring on some giggles, this is a fun-filled follow up to Sam and Sarah’s How to Feed an Elephant.

For fans of the Move and Play series, illustrated by Pintachan there are two new titles this month:

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I Want to be a Frog and I Want to be a Penguin. These are certain to get your little humans hopping, splashing, huddling and sliding, complete with their masks made from the cut outs provided inside the front covers`.

Mae and Gerty and the Matter With Matter / Let’s Build / Weather

February 1, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Mae and Gerty and the Matter With Matter
Elaine Vickers and Erica Salcedo
Beaming Books

Science and story come together in this picture book.

Mae and Gerty are sisters but they are very different. Mae, the elder of the two becomes increasingly annoyed when her parents constantly talk about their notions that Gerty is showing a scientific bent at so young an age; indeed the very first word she said was ‘madda’. Dad is forever drawing attention to her actions: “Look at all the ways she can manipulate matter: pushing, pulling and colliding!” he comments one bath time.

Gerty certainly does love mess making,

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trying things out, constantly asks questions. These are exactly the things scientists do and during the story, both siblings discover that this is so, for Mae decides to show her mum and dad that she too can do all that Gerty does. They start exploring together and soon they become a true science team taking every opportunity to experiment, asking Why? Why? Why?

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Some of their experiments in the kitchen produce matter of a very tasty kind but most important of all is that with their parents’ encouragement the siblings’ eyes and minds are always open to the scientific possibilities the world offers.

After the narrative, the author provides some questions adults might discuss with young listeners and there’s also a bubble recipe. Erica Salcedo’s wonderfully expressive scenes of the girls’ interactions with matter really brings out the importance of letting children explore the world with all their senses.

There’s more science in

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Let’s Build
Weather
Helen Mortimer & Cristina Trapanese
Oxford Children’s Books

These are both additions to the Science Words for Little People series.
In Let’s Build, the children are going to make a car wash and the book takes us through the stages involved in its construction from drawing up a plan to the finished building. The simple text is split between a straightforward narrative and speech bubbles containing the child constructors’ comments. Key words – materials, invent, tinker, forces, magnets, strong foundations, machines, movement solving problems, energy are used as headings for each of the twelve spreads, the twelfth being ‘all about building’ whereon readers are asked leading questions to get them thinking about their own projects.
The final spread gives ideas to adults to help them get the most from this book and Weather.
Similarly organised, the latter uses key terms including meteorology, atmosphere, various cloud names, cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes and hurricanes in the brief narrative that has spreads on sun, clouds, rain, a rainbow, wind, storm, snow, seasons, weather watching and climate.

Visually and verbally engaging with a diverse group of child characters, both titles are worth adding to early years collections.

STEMville: The Bee Connection

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

STEMville: The Bee Connection
Ben Newman
Flying Eye Books

STEMville town is populated by creatures of all kinds, though there are no humans, and this story unfolds in Bug Borough where a solitary bee, Mason B. Chandler (love the name) has recently set up her new private detective agency. She is eagerly awaiting a case when she hears a loud CRASH! outside. There she discovers that the Bug Borough traffic – vehicular and pedestrian – has come to a halt; everything is stuck in a golden sticky goo. Mason tastes the stuff – it’s sweet and immediately she feels an energy boost. Honey, she thinks, but how has it got all over town?

Using the device of a private eye investigation, Ben Newman imparts a great deal of information about insects and the apian world in particular. We learn that there are three kinds of bees – solitary bees like Mason, bumblebees and the social honey bees (the ones that make honey). Bee anatomy is illustrated,

and how bees differ from wasps and hoverflies. The secrets of the hive are revealed, its architecture, layout, the various different roles of its occupants

and the intricacies of the waggle dance whereby bees communicate where to find the best nectar sources, as well as just how important they and other insects are in the pollination of the plants that provide us with the food we eat.

Mason solves the mystery of the honey spill: it was all down to that careless bee-keeper bear who eventually confesses to dropping the jar.

In Flying Eye tradition, Ben Newman’s book is all a-buzz with information presented through explanatory panels, lively cartoon style illustrations and diagrams. A smashing way to introduce children to a vital topic; it concludes with some brief bee friendly suggestions for readers.

Fairytale Ninjas: Two and a Half Wishes

January 30, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Fairytale Ninjas: Two and a Half Wishes
Paula Harrison, illustrated by Mónica de Rivas
Harper Collins Children’s Books

In this third story of Goldie, Snow and Red aka the fairytale ninjas residents of Hobbleton in the magical kingdom of Waybeyond, the three friends encounter what looks like one of the new guests from Goldie’s parents’ hotel, out wandering in Shadowmoon Forest. Having spoken to her, Goldie suspects Miss Raven is up to no good. Why is she carrying that empty jam jar? And why is she not concerned about the possibility of encountering a troll?

Seemingly this is a villainous enchantress: why else would she have a book about spells, something Goldie discovers later in the day when taking clean towels to Miss Raven’s room. That and a row of glass bottles on the chest of drawers set alarm bells ringing. But then Goldie hears a strange noise coming from one of the drawers and inside she finds that jam jar wherein is a very frightened fairy flying around. Goldie unscrews the lid and out bursts the fairy. Back comes Miss Raven at almost the same moment that Goldie’s Dad appears in the doorway. The next thing Goldie knows is that the woman is chanting a spell and her father is turning into a duck.

Goldie realises that, with the help of her friends, she must outwit this evil enchantress and thanks to the fairy she released, the girls have been granted three wishes. One of these can surely be used to turn her dad back into his normal self.

Young fractured fairytale enthusiasts, be they acquainted with Fairytale Ninjas or not, will enjoy this book with its magical setting, three strong girl protagonists who can perform ninja moves and mythical creatures, though I recommend new readers read the previous books beforehand. Plenty of Mónica de Rivas’ black and white illustrations break up the chapters.

An Elephant in the Garden

January 29, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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An Elephant in the Garden
Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman
Harper Collins Children’s Books

First published some ten years ago, it’s good to see this tale now made available to a new audience. It was inspired by a real life rescue of an elephant during World War 2.

From her bed a frail old lady named Lizzie, resident of a Canadian nursing home, relates her story to her nurse and the nurse’s son, Karl, who reminds Lizzie of her young brother.

During WW2, Lizzie, then sixteen, her pacifist mum, Mutti, and her younger brother Karli lived in Dresden. Their peace-loving Papi was called to fight, Mutti went to work at the Dresden Zoo with the elephants. She had seen a small elephant born and named him Marlene. Rather than have the creature subject to mercy killing like the other zoo animals, should Dresden be bombed, she had persuaded the zoo keeper to let her take the baby elephant home to her back garden and care for it.

When Dresden comes under heavy bombing in 1945 and the city is destroyed. Lizzie, her mum and Karli decide to escape into the country and head with the elephant, towards Uncle Manfred and Aunt Lotto’s farm. At first they think the place is empty but in a barn they come upon Peter, a Canadian flyer who has bailed out of his plane. What does one do when encountering an enemy combatant? Mutti is conflicted but Lizzie is immediately drawn to the young man. Together they all make their way on a perilous trek towards the American lines, helped at one point by a Countess who asks them to take a homeless school choir along with them. As they journey Lizzie becomes ever closer to Peter.

Eventually, despite Peter’s best efforts, Mutti and the children are sent to a camp along with other displaced Germans and Peter returns to Canada promising to come back and marry Lizzie. Is he able to keep that promise? And what of Lizzie’s Papi? Does he survive the war?

A gripping, enormously moving tale that offers an unusual perspective on what was a horrendous time for countless numbers of people. I read it in a single sitting.

Can I Sit in the Middle? / Can You Catch the Bunny?

January 28, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Can I Sit In the Middle?
Susanne Strasser
Gecko Press

A child sits on the sofa to read with Hamster. The enthusiastic creature alerts the other animals – zebra, cat and lion – to join them. Just before the story starts Stork arrives, but then Cat decides to try and take possession of the cushion and Hamster gets up, fetches Fish and hurrah! Let the story begin. Or maybe not: some rearrangement of listeners is demanded and then the patient story reader can share the book. Oh! I spoke too soon for Rhino has mislaid a pair of slippers.

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The large pachyderm upends the sofa to retrieve said slippers and OOPS! They all tumble into a heap. Does that mean no story? Happily thanks to a deft rearrangement of furniture and something else that Cat had found under the sofa, a perfect book sharing situation is created and finally, whoopee! it’s story time at long last.

As this drama unfolds small children will enjoy watching the chain of events, delighting in the details in the gently humorous illustrations and wondering who next is coming through that door to be part of the audience on the sofa.

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Can You Catch the Bunny?
Rosie Adams and Linda Tordoff
Little Tiger

Addressing the target audience of very young children directly, the author asks that they assist little Bunny in finding his way first through the vegetable patch and then out into the forest and from there around the garden and the orchard until finally he reaches the safety of the burrow wherein the rest of his family are waiting. With a wealth of treasures collected on his adventure, little Bunny is more than ready to share his spoils with his fellow rabbits.

Little humans will certainly hone their fine motor skills as they use a finger to touch and trace the trail on each spread as well as develop their powers of observation when with the help of an adult sharer, they look at the details – vegetables, other small creatures, fungi, flowers, mammals, and lots more besides, in each of Linda Tordoff’s scenes.

Stitch Head: the graphic novel

January 27, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Stitch Head: the graphic novel
Guy Bass and Pete Williamson
Little Tiger

Stitch Head is a not quite human, long forgotten lonely little creation made by a mad professor in the sinister Castle Groteskew. Stitch Head stays around the castle endeavouring to ensure his master’s other creations be they with multiple limbs or missing eyes, don’t go wild in the nearby town and bring punishment down on his eccentric master.

After years of working behind the scenes, Stitch Head’s life is upended when Fulbert Freakfinder’s Travelling Circus rolls into his home town of Grubbers Nubbin and the owner and ringmaster demands entry. He’s on the lookout for further freaks to join his show and says he will make Stitch Head a star.

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What will be the response from Stitch Head? Will he venture beyond the castle walls or not?

Darkly monstrous fun and sometimes a tad gruesome, bursting with weird beings this spooky graphic novel version will appeal to those who prefer stories presented in a highly visual format. Many children are predominantly visual learners and so the new form will likely attract a different audience from the original book although I suspect established fans of Stitch Head will also enjoy this. Pete Williamson has done an absolutely amazing job with the art.

Seven Days / Dread Wood: Fright Bite

January 26, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Seven Days
Rebeka Shaid
Walker Books

The author’s debut young adult novel about families and grief is set in Bristol and takes place over seven days ((apart from an epilogue one year on). The book is told from the viewpoints of Noori and Aamir, both of whom have recently lost those closest to them. Noori’s older cousin and best friend died while in Lahore and Aamir’s mother has died eight months ago and he has fallen out with his father. In a few days despite her own father’s disapproval, Noori plans to fly off to spend some time in Pakistan, staying with her aunt in the hope of getting some kind of closure .The seemingly more troubled Aamir has just been beaten up and robbed while on a train from Cardiff to see his older brother Bilal.

Their first encounter is on a park bench and Noori mistakes the boy for a university student as he’s holding a book of Rumi’s poems. The following day, she heads to the park and there lying on the bench is Aamir. Is he homeless after all, she wonders. They start talking and Noori offers him chai. He accepts her offer and rather than taking him to a cafe, Noori takes him to her home. She also calls her disapproving friend and neighbour, Mai, to join them and tells her mother that Aamir is a cousin of Mai’s.

Strangely, Noori feels drawn to him and their meetings continue. Aamir, meanwhile keeps going to his brother’s home but nobody ever answers the door so he is forced to sleep on the bench. Gradually the two reveal things to one another that they won’t share with anybody else.

But then the day before Noori is due to fly off to Lahore, an ailing Aamir has a fall and is rushed to hospital and into intensive care and may well not survive.

I won’t reveal how the book ends but I was swept up in the story of these two teenagers – a story of first love – as I’m sure many readers of around Noori’s age will be. I look forward to more from Rebeka Shaid; this is an intensely moving debut novel.

Dread Wood: Fright Bite
Jennifer Killick
Farshore

When Club Loser members learn of the plan Colette’s mum and Mr C have set in motion for the gang to celebrate Colette’s thirteenth birthday, which includes a kitty for ‘noms and spends’ it seems that they’re about to experience the best night ever. Neon Perch, here they come. Nothing can possibly go wrong, can it? After all the dastardly Latchitts are in prison so it’s safe to say the friends can enjoy Battle Karts, pizzas at Uccellino’s and, highlight of the excursion, the Project Z escape room experience.

Highlight it definitely isn’t however. With such things as scritchy scratchy, slime dripping creatures on the prowl, and the reappearance of their arch enemies, it would appear that the escape room knows the greatest fear of each player. Assuredly this is one birthday Colette won’t forget in a hurry.

At once scary and funny, older readers will find themselves gripped by Jennifer Killick’s fast-paced, twisting narrative, ticking clock, gigantic poisonous rats and all.

The Cat who Couldn’t Be Bothered

January 25, 2024jillrbennett 1 Comment

The Cat who Couldn’t Be Bothered
Jack Kurland
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (First Editions)

Greg, at least that’s what his feline friends call him, has no wish to do anything at all. He seems totally disengaged and turns down each offer made to join in with what could be a fun or exciting activity. So, it’s no to chasing a string ball, no thanks to a party,

joining an exploration doesn’t appeal and as for going to Mars, it’s a case of ‘I can’t be bothered.’

Then one of his moggy pals asks the all important, ‘What’s up, Greg?’ and eventually our Greg calls for all their suggestions to cease. He goes on to explain the reason behind his naysaying of all their offers. His empathetic friends then proceed to demonstrate just how much they understand.

The author’s narrative, both written and visual conveys simply and beautifully Greg’s friends’ learning journey. It’s an important life lesson: rather than making assumptions or imposing an idea on a friend, be there, listen and only then respond to their needs.

We all feel sad from time to time and this book shows the importance of understanding and doing nothing together. Definitely a book to share with a group or class and an excellent way in to a circle time discussion on responding to emotions. I wonder what they will make of the story’s final twist.

Factology: Romans / Factology: Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures / Factology: Robots & AI

January 24, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Factology: Romans
Factology: Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures
Factology: Robots & AI
Button Books

Each of these new titles in the series offers a fact-packed, fast paced introduction to the topic. Individual readers will choose according to their interest or perhaps on account of a current subject focus in their school. For instance the key stage 2 national curriculum requires that children learn about the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.

Like the other titles, Romans is divided into three chapters. Each has full-colour photographs and illustrations together with an accessible, easy-to-follow, bite-sized text that offers a good introduction to its subject, explaining key concepts and highlighting significant events in a manner that is both clear and entertaining. Did you know that those ancient Romans were extraordinarily fierce? For instance, a gladiator fight ended only when one of the combatants died or cried for mercy. Those who did survive sometimes became very rich. The Romans were also well-known for their inventive skills and you will also encounter all-powerful emperors, some worse than others, superb architecture, an impressive network of roads and much more.

Although Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures are not specifically included in the primary curriculum, huge numbers of children are fascinated by them and so teachers often find ways to incorporate them into thematic work.

As for Robots & AI, this is an area that all children will increasingly need to be informed about. Moreover a robotics topic brings together all the STEM areas and could be an exciting way of so doing with older children. It was absolutely fascinating to read of the number of ways robots are used in medicine.

I would advocate including all three books in both primary and secondary school collections.

Lunar New Year / The Lucky Red Envelope

January 23, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Lunar New Year
Natasha Yim and Jingting Wang
Words & Pictures

A special fifteen day holiday, the Lunar New Year, is fast approaching and young Ling, our narrator explains clearly the traditions she and her family follow. They clean the house thoroughly, “We sweep away bad luck and evil spirits, “ and polish the statue of the Kitchen God before painting honey onto his lips so he reports only sweet things to the heavenly Jade Emperor. The family fills their home with fragrant blooms; Ling makes special red signs to welcome visitors and it’s customary to wear new clothes, so they go shopping for those as well as red lanterns and favourite foods. The foods will be cooked and shared at the big New Year’s Eve family reunion dinner.

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The symbolism behind each tradition is presented: “We eat dumplings for wealth, noodles for long life and turnip cakes for good luck …” Ling says. She also recounts the legend of the New Year beast and offers descriptions of the New Year’s parade, kite flying, and the Lantern Festival that ends the celebrations. Best of all though, Ling enjoys being surrounded by her family.

Jingting Wang’s illustrations are bursting with bold, brightly coloured images and back matter gives additional information on the history of the holiday, New Year greetings in Cantonese and Mandarin, information on the Chinese zodiac, riddles, a recipe for dumplings, how to make a lucky money envelope, examples of how Lunar New Year is observed in other cultures, and a quiz.

An accessible and broad introduction to an important holiday for many Asian cultures.

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The Lucky Red Envelope
Vikki Zhang
Wide Eyed Editions

There are over 140 flaps to explore in this interactive, large format book with stiff card pages. It features Yue, her Mama and Baba and baby brother, Ru, for whom it’s his first ever New Year. By following what Yue and her family do each day in Vikki Zhang’s busy scenes as well as the written narrative, readers will learn the meaning behind the various objects and symbols. There are rich colours, gorgeous patterns and an abundance of detail to feast the eyes on at every turn of the page: the candles lit for the kitchen god, the offerings the family will make to their ancestors, the red wall and door hangings, as well as the food spread out ready for the family reunion dinner, Yue’s beautiful new red cheongsam,

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the lucky red envelopes containing money and finally, the lighted lanterns.

The main text is in paragraphs written in a lively style (it’s good to see an acknowledgement that “ People celebrate Lunar New Year differently in different countries”,) and smaller captions ask the reader to look for specific objects – the yin-yang symbol for example, or draw attention to particular symbols such as Yue’s traditional dress.

There are a dozen flaps on every double spread helping to ensure that this is a comprehensive look at the holiday and a book that children will want to immerse themselves in over and over.

Add both books to class libraries from foundation stage upwards.

The Code of Life

January 22, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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The Code of Life
Carla Häfner and Mieke Scheier
Flying Eye Books

The author of this fascinating book opens with a look at the history of genetics beginning as you might expect with the work of the Austrian monk Gregor Mendel in the 19th century. One of the first to experiment with cross-pollination, he used pea plant varieties with different colour flowers, meticulously writing down all his findings. It wasn’t until after his death that the importance of his work was recognised and he became known as the ‘father of genetics’.

From Mendel to Crick and Watson and beyond, via Darwin and evolution, this remarkable book charts the journey of scientists to unlock to secrets of life and where that journey may take us into the future.

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The work of these and numerous other pioneers in the field and their discoveries in the fields of chromosomes, genes, cell division, the DNA double helix and much more, are recounted and explained. Everything is elucidated clearly in an engaging manner and supported with a wealth of visuals, both diagrams and illustrations; and there’s a page at the end encouraging readers to do some research of their own (answers supplied).

A high quality publication and one I would strongly recommend for older readers.

Star Friends: Dream Shield / The Firefighter’s Kitten

January 20, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

These are additions to popular series for younger readers: thanks to the publishers Little Tiger for sending them for review.

Star Friends: Dream Shield
Linda Chapman, illustrated by Kim Barnes

In case you’ve not met the Star Friends, Maia, Lottie, Sita and Ionie before, they share a special secret – they have magical animal friends – Star Animals – who help them learn magic and fight evil!

There’s excitement in Westcombe: the village is hosting a scarecrow competition and the Star Friends, along with lots of other residents are participating. Strangely though soon after, lots of people in the village start feeling very sleepy and completely lacking energy. Could it be some kind of weird bug that’s doing the rounds: the friends think otherwise. It’s down to dark magic, is what they think. They really need to do something to stop it but that’s going to be a challenge on account of their own sleepiness. It’s something to do with Shades, but where are they hiding?

Can the girls solve the Shade mystery and make things right again? The story ends on a cliff hanger, which will leave readers eagerly waiting the next episode in this deservedly popular series.

The Firefighter’s Kitten
Holly Webb, illustrated by Sophy Williams

Lola’s mum has a new job as crew manager of a team of firefighters. This means that the family has moved to a new town where Lola doesn’t have any friends and must start at a new school. On the positive side their house has a garden and her parents have agreed that once they’ve settled in, they will get a cat.

As Lola walks to school on her first day accompanied by her dad, a boy calls to her, introduces himself as Noah and tells Lola that they will be in the same class. Noah has three cats and that prompts Lola to tell Noah about her cat hopes. Next day as they walk to school the two children see a tiny kitten huddled high up in a tree. On their way home, the kitten is still there and so too are a crowd of people, a fire-engine and to Lola’s surprise, her mum.

Eventually Lola’s mum rescues the creature but nobody knows where it belongs and the animal shelter is completely full. It appears that there’s only one place the kitten can go that night … Lola quickly develops an attachment to the newcomer but will he stay?

With themes that children will immediately relate to: moving house, making new friends and having a new pet, this latest in the prolific author’s animal stories, although slightly predictable will appeal to readers from around six who will love Sophy Williams’ visual portrayal of the kitten.

Pablo and Splash

January 19, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Pablo and Splash
Sheena Dempsey
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Pablo and Splash are penguin pals living in Antarctica. Pablo, a home-loving creature, is perfectly satisfied with life; he loves the cold climate, the ice and consuming krill at every meal. Splash is more adventurous and yearns for a holiday in a warm sunny destination. After puzzling about how to get to a new exciting place, the two cascade into a scientist’s laboratory. The owner clearly has designs on them but they make a getaway thanks to her TimeBender machine,

next stop not sunny Fiji, the Bahamas or the Costa del Sol and fortunately not the sun (though that destination is a narrow miss); rather they find themselves in the Cretaceous Period. There aren’t any mocktails or water slides as Splash was hoping; instead the sandy terrain is full of very hungry dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Fortunately the friends succeed in evading the beasties. Not so the TimeBender however; this is badly damaged by the dinos.

Can the penguins manage to fix the ailing machine or are they doomed to be forever stuck far far from their lovely icy home? As always it looks as though it will be down to Pablo to come up with a solution.

This crazy comedy is Sheena Dempsey’s first graphic novel creation and what fun it is. The penguins’ facial expressions are a hoot and their bubble speak full of giggle-inducing ‘krilly’ word play. I suspect you’ll find it hard to resist this one. Let’s hope we see more of this delectable duo.

Are You A Sleepy Monster?

January 18, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Are You A Sleepy Monster?
Guilherme Karsten
Happy Yak

It’s time for bed and Karsten’s lovable monster is back, pyjama clad, inviting little ones to join a ‘Sleepover for Monsters’. In case you’re wondering where you’ll sleep, it will be under the bed along with your slumber host. Did I hear a protest – something about sleeping ON the bed? Surely not. Away from malodorous, noisy little humans is to be your place of slumber especially as Monster has even gone to the trouble to provide you with a pair of PJs for the occasion.

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Was that a case of naysaying to being under the bed and an insistence on your scary host climbing up and joining you for a lie down atop the bed? Well, it would appear that the bed is invitingly soft and there’s even a cuddly teddy provided: ZZZZZ …

Time to pull up the duvet and turn out the lights as you, the reader gets in and puts your head on the soft pillow next to your host. Sweet dreams.

With its chatty interactive text, monstrous twist and delectable illustrations, this is certain to be a winner of a bedtime tale. It certainly was with this reviewer.

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Magic Ever After / The Story Shop: Detective Dash / Nikhil and Jay Flying High

January 17, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Diary of an Accidental Witch: Magic Ever After
Perdita & Honor Cargill, illustrated by Katie Saunders
Little Tiger

The Easter holidays are fast approaching for Bea Black. First though she needs to discover what is wrong with her Dad. In addition there’s the upcoming annual Eggastraordinary Eggy Day and Bea is still working on improving her spelling. To keep her sweet, Bea is helping at Taffy’s teashop and being paid in cakes. You may be surprised to learn that Bea’s Dad is also working obsessively on his spells, which makes his daughter suspect that something is up.

When Taffy takes Bea into her confidence things become clearer but she’s charged with keeping Taffy’s proposal plan a secret, which is far from easy. Why, Dad wants to know, can’t he wear his favourite scruffy jumper to the venue; after all it is supposed to be a newt-watching trip..

Despite near disaster, the couple agree to get married and then there’s just the matter of a wedding and all that entails, to focus on. Bea is definitely going to need lots of help from friends and family.
Without giving too much away, let’s just say that Bea’s final diary entry in this book starts ‘BEST.NIGHT.OF.MY.LIFE’.

You can’t ask for more and readers will certainly be more than satisfied. Team Cargill and Saunders have again created a winner.

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The Story Shop: Detective Dash
Tracey Corderoy and Tony Neal
Little Tiger

When shopkeeper Wilbur and his assistant, Fred Ferret arrive in their shop early one morning they’re puzzled to hear a strange sound. It turns out that a ferret has fallen asleep and is snoring. Once awake she introduces herself as Snoozy Suzy saying she’s eager for an adventure.

Suzy elects to be a detective, Fred adds some ingredients to the Story Pot, stirs the mix, and POP! the two of them find themselves in The Museum of Wonder where they learn, a robbery has taken place. Suzy informs the strange man, Ivar Plan busy with a display of lamps, that they’re there to solve the case of the cursed teeth. It turns out that Ivar is actually a robber and the lamps are part of his clever plan to steal priceless articles from the museum. Can Suzy and Fred save the day?

In episode two I S-Pie Trouble!, the pair are at the seaside where one of the posh hotels is in uproar due to the disappearance of Chef Humble who is supposed to be presenting his delicious new creation, the ‘Whatever You Wish For Pie’ at a banquet that coming Friday. After a night’s sleep Fred and Suzy peruse the clues they’d found the previous day and are about to have breakfast when they learn that a new chef has turned up offering to step in and save the banquet – at a price. Things seem decidedly fishy to the detective duo. Will they find the real chef in time for the Friday night banquet?

The riverside village of Watery Bottom is where the third episode is set. Here Suzy and Fred are tasked with discovering the truth about the Demon Duck of Doom. To do so they need to participate in a Doomseeker Expedition led by young April Button. But what is she up to and why?

Full of surprises, this fourth Story Shop book with its wealth of fun illustrations is again just right for younger readers.

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Nikhil and Jay Flying High
Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Soofia
Otter-Barry Books

The fourth book in the charming series for new solo readers starts one rainy day when Appa goes out to the shed to retrieve to board so the boys can play Dayan but the cat distracts him, he takes a tumble and injures his ankle. Can several rounds of the game, together with a cup of tea and a packed of frozen peas on his foot make him feel better?

Three further stories about the everyday life of Nikil, Jay and their parents follow. They participate, somewhat reluctantly at first, in the local Clean and Green Club at the neighbourhood park and then decide it’s a more enjoyable way to spend a Saturday than they’d anticipated.
Next comes a day of kite flying though they unexpectedly have to make the kites themselves as those that had been ordered aren’t delivered in time and finally, Jay gets himself in a stew about tidying up and soon discovers that doing things without his brother is far less enjoyable than doing them together.

As always bold, cheerful black and white illustrations by Soofiya complement Chitra’s telling of these tales, which are based on her own upbringing.

A Horse Called Now

January 16, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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A Horse Called Now
Ruth Doyle and Alexandra Finkeldey
Nosy Crow

Now, the white horse stands in a field enjoying the sights and sounds of the natural world: buds bursting forth, dragonflies dancing, the singing of the birds, the chattering of the crickets. Suddenly her peace is disturbed by a mother rabbit and her offspring, fearful of being chased by a fox. Then come Hen and her chicks, terrified by the possibility that the swooping bird is Magpie after her little ones. Sheep and her lambs are worried about New Dog, imagining him to be wild like a wolf.

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In turn, Now allays each of their fears and then there comes a loud BANG! of thunder and down comes heavy rain.

Calmly, Now leads all the animals to shelter inside a barn but other creatures are already there so out they all dash leaving the horse to investigate. What she learns is then passed on to her fearful friends outside and having seen Fox, Magpie and New Dog for themselves

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and listened to Now’s words of wisdom, ”When I am afraid, I breathe in … and out … and let the feelings come … and then let go.Nothing lasts forever”, they realise that the creatures they so feared are not as scary as they’d imagined.

Ruth Doyle’s sensitively written text is reassuring and full of warmth; she has clearly chosen every word with great care and Alexandra Finkeldey’s rustic illustrations portray the fearfulness and subsequent relief of the animals very effectively.

We’re all beset by fears from time to time but young children may find themselves unable to cope: reading this story with a supportive adult offers an opportunity for opening up about their own worries and a good starting point for talking about living in the moment.

Find Peace in a poem

January 15, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Find Peace in a poem
Little Tiger

Twenty poets and four illustrators have contributed to the latest Little Tiger collection, this one being a celebration of mindfulness. Mindfulness I see as the state of being wholly in the present, completely awake and aware of each moment, fully engaged in one’s surroundings and accepting that experience without judgement.

The range of poets here is contemporary and interesting, and included are new poems and some previously published ones. such as Michael Rosen’s The Rhythm of Life and, Zero Weil’s Hide and Seek. Therein she describes looking for quiet and after going to the woods and the sea, concludes ‘I found quiet / it must have been hiding / the whole time / inside my words / inside of me’.

I’ve loved that one since discovering it in Cherry Moon.

Each poet in their own way takes an everyday object or occurrence and transforms it into something memorable and in so doing is asking the reader to look anew at the world. Two poets call on readers to put pen to paper, to preserve (Carter) or let go of (Wakeling) their thoughts. In James Carter’s How Easily, he reminds us how special ’moments disappear like sand.’ Moments such as the sight of raindrops sparkling on a lake and ‘The night / you tried to count the stars.’

Kate Wakeling suggests if you’re feeling down or troubled by your thoughts, settling wherever you are, taking a pen and without stopping or thinking, allowing it to explore, in words or pictures, squiggles even. In so doing you may well find ‘some bright new / thoughts begin to / grow.’ It’s certainly worth trying The Ink Cure next time you feel your brain knotting up.

So too is Nikita Gill’s A Lesson from the Trees. Offering not words or thoughts but a reassurance ‘they will listen to you too, / and show you that the answer / to all life’s storms / is to be patient / and stand strong.’

Each double spread is beautifully presented and the four illustrators have been mindful of not overwhelming the words with their images.

Add to your poetry collection be that at home or in the classroom.

Thumbsucker / I am an Autistic Girl

January 14, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

Thumbsucker
Eliza Fricker
Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Eliza Fricker is a neurodivergent author and illustrator who didn’t receive an autism diagnosis until she was an adult. In this moving book she writes about what it was like as a girl who grew up in the 1980s feeling different and constantly beset by worries.

She was called among other things, fussy, a hypochondriac, fickle, spoilt, contrary, gullible, a freak, a chatterbox, a wimp and a weirdo, some of these labels being given to her child self by other people, and some perhaps were self dubbed.

She takes each one and in graphic novel style presents a vignette exemplar.

Fiercely honest, humorous and affecting, it reinforces my feeling that all teachers and others who work with children or young adults should have training on how neurodivergence presents itself in childhood, especially in girls and how best they can support neurodivergent learners. This book is an excellent, albeit salutary starting point for anybody involved with the welfare of the young.
A copy should definitely be in every school staff collection.

I am an Autistic Girl
Danuta Bulhak-Paterson, illustrated by Terersa Ferguson
Jessica Kingsley Publishers

This is an updated edition of I am an Aspie Girl published several years ago, which was reviewed on this blog in 2016.

Little Bear / Little Dragon

January 13, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

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Little Bear
Little Dragon
Sarah Cordingley and Kamala Nair
Oxford Children’s Books

If you’re a parent or carer who is having trouble getting a young child off to sleep then these, the first two in a series of calming Sleep Stories intended to help young children prepare for a good night’s sleep, are worth trying

In the first we join a restless Little Bear as he sallies forth from Old Slumber Tree in search of the perfect sleeping place. During his meanderings he discovers several possible spots: there’s the reedy banks of Hush-a-bye-River, on the edge of Snoozy Shore, the sand dunes of Moonlit Meadow for instance but in each place there’s something preventing the bear from falling fast asleep. Eventually he comes to Rockabye Treehouse wherein resides a wise owl. Owl’s question proves just the right thing to send the wandering Little Bear to the place most suitable for a cosy night of slumbers.

One night in the Misty Mountains way up high Little Dragon is also beset by wakefulness. His friend Bedtime Bird accompanies him off on a search for the perfect sleep-inducing hug. First stop is the Lullaby Trees but the tree trunks can’t provide a ‘squeeze hug’ so the dragon continues alone along the woodland path to Starlight Hollow and thence to Rainbow Falls where he encounters some bubble blowing music making frogs. Could one of their bubbles transport Little Dragon to slumberland?

Calming and reassuringly written, with a wealth of descriptive language by Sarah Cordingley and illustrated in luminescent hues by Kamala Nair, these gentle stories are just right for the very young.
Both are preceded by a yoga breathing exercise and some tips for adult sharers and end with a mindfulness activity. (There’s also a QR code to scan for an audio version of the story, mindfulness exercises, a soundscape and a lullaby.)

The Shape of Rainbows

January 12, 2024jillrbennett Leave a comment

The Shape of Rainbows
Neal Zetter, illustrated by Will Hughes
Otter-Barry Books

There’s a zippy zing to the poems herein – nearly fifty in all – and they simply cry out to be read aloud to, and by, primary children. Although on second thoughts that excludes Breakfast unless you are a pronunciation wizard and can say ‘Greg / Gges / Segg / Ggse’ as well as R a ndo m because how it looks on the page is part of the fun.

There’s one poem where every single word (and there are rather a lot) begins with the letter A either in its lower case or capital form. It’s title is Adam’s Apple and it tells of a boy who consumed nothing but apples until something unpleasant happened to him and then, on the advice of adults, he changed his diet.

When I was a classroom teacher, be that in the foundation stage, KS1 or KS2, we had a daily ‘together time’ session for children to share their ideas, things they’d made etc and I always shared a poem. Neal’s latest collection is one I would definitely add to my ‘go to’ books of poems to use in such sessions. What child wouldn’t want to hear The Day I Ate My School wherein the young narrator apologises for having consumed a most unlikely school dinner, or learn of an Interstellar Mum and I would certainly encourage everyone to Grab a Book and as Neal says in the opening lines ‘Open it / Relish it / Ogle it / Cherish it ‘ …

Will Hughes adds to the fun of every spread with one of his zany black and white illustrations.

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