Counting Sheep Michelle Robinson and Nikki Dyson Walker Books
Sheepdog Sam has had a tiring day and he’s more than ready for sleep. Not so the sheep; they’re still way too lively. Sam suggests they should try counting sheep ie themselves to make them nod off. He starts “One, Two …”; the sheep try to continue but clearly need lots more practice, so Sam notices as he dashes off towards other wakeful animals. He gives the horses the same ‘count yourselves’ instruction, which results in Sam feeling more drowsy and the horses uttering letters of the alphabet.
It soon transpires that all the farm animals are still wide awake even the cows and Sam leads them into the barn urging them to demonstrate the sleep-inducing counting to the entire farmyard contingent.
The result is only a lot of mooing: it’s time to visit the hen house to seek an answer to the wakefulness epidemic. It’s there that Sam finally discovers the insomnia explanation; it’s also another counting opportunity for the other animals.
Michelle Robinson’s comical bedtime story and counting book with a difference, in combination with Nikki Dyson’s wonderfully expressive illustrations of the farm animals, will surely make wide awake young children giggle. It also offers lots of counting occasions – albeit sometimes slightly chaotic ones – on almost every spread.
My Mother’s Tongues Uma Menon and Rahele Jomepour Bell Walker Books
Sumi’s mother speaks two languages, Malayalam because she grew up in Kerala and English because she learned it at school and having emigrated to the USA ten years back, continues doing so now sometimes using both when she talks to her daughter. Sumi the narrator was born in the United States, uses Malayalam at home with her family and as a result of listening carefully to others at school and around the neighbourhood, describes herself as having two tongues like her mother. She goes on to say that when she visits Kerala with her family each summer she uses Malayalam with her relations and her ability to understand and speak it is improving.
She explains that as her family tell her, if she stops using a language she might forget it. I know that to be true with my speaking of Hindi. The more languages a person learns and speaks, the more people s/he is able to converse with: Sumi’s aunt for example is able to use Malayalam, English, Hindi and Spanish.
But imagine how many opportunities a person might have who is multilingual: that’s what Sumi aspires to. I love that she concludes by saying ‘Having a tapestry of tongues will be my superpower.’
This celebration of learning and using new languages is superb, showing how it helps overcome differences and borders of all kinds as we connect with people from all over the world.
Using canvas backgrounds and quilted textures, Jomepour Bell emphasizes the weaving theme of Uma Menon’s lyrical text in this illuminating book. Everybody should read this especially those who say such things as ‘English is spoken all over the world, so why bother to learn another language.’
Thank you to Alan and Little Door Books for inviting Red Reading Hub to be part of the blog tour for this picture book:
Kevin the Orange Alan Windram and Olla Meyzinger Little Door Books
One day Kevin the orange’s best fruity friend Brian the pear – a wise bibliophile by nature – discovers that Kevin is having a colour crisis. Fed up with a life that seemingly lacks fun, he’s decided to turn blue. But how? Brian suggests that by visiting the North Pole and immersing himself in the snow for some time, he will become blue. Suitcase in hand, off goes Kevin.
On arrival he selects a suitable spot, sits in the snow and waits. BRRR! Yes he turns a blue hue but quickly realises it’s not for him. Back he goes, seeks out Brian and asks his advice once more. Now red is his must-be colour. You can probably guess what he’s told to consume to make him sufficiently hot for that to happen. And oh my goodness! it certainly has a powerful effect but not a pleasant one.
Kevin continues consulting his friend and trying other colours
until eventually after a series of further mishaps, he realises there’s really only one colour that’s right for him.
Being true to yourself and the best version of that self you possibly can is an important life lesson for children to learn. Alan’s funny story together with Olla Meyzinger’s zany, exuberant scenes of Kevin’s colourful capers will induce giggles aplenty when you share this with young children. Four year old Faith with whom I shared the book (several times at her request), was particularly tickled at the sight of a pink Kevin sporting his swimming trunks and arm bands as he pedals off to join the jolly grapes in their swimming pool.
Be sure to check out the other posts in the blog tour.
Puck , the smallest of Mamma Duck’s brood has trouble keeping up with the others as they make their way to the lily pond. By the time they reach the boating lake Puck is way, way behind so Mamma calls, “Keep up, Duck!” Puck looks around at the boats and being an astute little thing, comes up with a solution that sees him hopping and plopping to rejoin the rest of his family.
However he soon falls behind again and again he responds to the titular “Keep up, Duck1” from Mamma by hop, hopping onto a skateboard, then a child’s seat on an adult’s cycle and plopping back with his siblings. But then barking dogs cause another distraction
so Puck hop hitches a ride from one dog then another until with a final plop! he reaches the lily pond at last. And guess what: despite being smaller than all his siblings, diminutive duckling Puck has become the speediest.
Told using a repeat pattern text with a wealth of onomatopoeia and splendidly expressive watercolour and pen scenes of the adorable ducklings and their journey, this problem-solving tale is a delight to read aloud to young children. I suspect it will become a storytime favourite with foundation stage listeners. It would also be a great book for early readers to try for themselves.
We, the Curious Ones Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Hari & Deepti Walker Studio
Story and science and their unlikely interconnectedness help us all find meaning in human existence. This symbiotic relationship is explored in the author’s lyrical prose and the two illustrators’ dreamy cut paper art in this book. They take readers on a sweeping journey through time that looks at our evolving understanding of the universe starting from creation mythology …
right through to our current and still growing understanding and knowledge.
We see that to humans, Earth was once considered the centre of the universe, then it was thought of as a planet that revolves around the Sun, next the Sun was considered to be one of billions of stars
and eventually, Earth became seen as one of numerous planets, a medium sized one ‘circling an average star in an ordinary galaxy in an unimaginably vast universe’ a universe that is ‘mostly dark and seems almost empty.’ The designer’s considered choice of a small font might be seen as a metaphor for how very tiny human beings are in this universe and the whole book invites us to think deeply, ask big questions and keep an open mind as new ideas continue to emerge. Awe and wonder – yes but so much more.
There’s a lengthy afterword that finishes thus: ‘We are the storytellers. / We are the curious ones.’ May it ever be so. A book to share and discuss with readers in primary classrooms and beyond, as well as in the home.
The Dolls’ House Tanya Rosie and Claudia Ravalli Oxford Children’s Books
When Mia finds an abandoned dolls’ house in the street near to her new home, she immediately decides to take it back to her house. Once there she straightway begins operation renovation by giving it a coat of bright yellow paint and because the paint hasn’t dried by bedtime, Mia has to leave it outside overnight.
Next morning to her surprise she sees a boy looking at the dolls’ house and he asks to play with her. Mia agrees and she and Aaron spend the day making things for the dolls’ house. The following day Aaron appears again, accompanied by his sister who has an offering for the house and also wants to play.
Gradually that dolls’ house becomes a meeting place where lots of children enjoy playing together – the whole summer long.
Then one evening Mia notices a face briefly staring out from behind the curtains of the house opposite and during the rainy autumn days she waves at the boy who merely smiles. As winter approaches Mia’s mum suggests bringing the dolls’ house indoors but although Mia agrees, she asks to leave it outside for just one more night. She carefully positions an umbrella over the house – just in case – and the following morning the precious dolls’ house is in rather a state. Then she hears a sound and there is the boy from behind the curtain offering shyly to help her fix the house. In his outstretched hands he holds something special.
But Mia too does something special …
With themes of friendship, sharing and empathy, this is a wonderfully heart-warming story to share. If you read it aloud to a class, make sure you have plenty of time for your listeners to explore the details in Claudia Ravalli’s illustrations, large and small. The final fold-out spread of the house interior shows the fully furnished dollhouse with its diverse residents – a visual treat – and a reminder of the enduring fascination of small world play for children.
The Princess and the Pee Effua Gleed and Juanita Londoño Gaviria Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
This is a modern fairy tale wherein young Princess Amma struggles with a problem that will resonate with lots of families: she wets the bed and is constantly fretting about so doing. The Queen, the King, and the palace staff all have ridiculous suggestions: eating dry toast just before bedtime to soak up all the pee, sleeping with lemons beneath her pillow, and putting feather dusters by the loo so that the princess can “giggle all her pee out before she goes to bed.” Needless to say none of these work: the princess’s worries remain and she wakes to a wet bed every morning.
Fortunately wise Grandma Grace is much more supportive in her approach; “Let’s take our time. Let’s be steady. / She’ll stop when she is good and ready.” is what she urges.
One morning having shooed the other adults out of Princess Amma’s bedroom, Grandma gives her a bubble bath, then sits beside the child and with an encouraging smile tells her, ““My darling Amma, a little bit of pee will NEVER come between you and me.” That evening Grandma Grace snuggles beside her granddaughter and together they let their imaginations grow into magical stories
after which Amma is lulled into slumberland by her Grandma’s calming singing. Come the morning Amma’s bed is to her delight, dry. The palace residents are surprised. other than Grandma Grace, of course; she knows that Amma’s journey to dry nights has just begun and that eventually it will become the norm.
This is a delightfully whimsical, lighthearted way to approach a tricky, often embarrassing issue for younger children, the humour and fantasy nature of which should help make it easier to cope with. Juanita Londoño Gaviria’s textured illustrations are splendidly expressive and convey the changing mood of the story well throughout. I love the portrayal of the supportive relationship of Grandma Grace towards Amma: just what any child in a similar situation needs.
Wanna See A Llama? Simon Philip and Ian Smith Oxford Children’s Books
In this equally entertaining sequel to Wanna See A Penguin? the same young animal expert, so she says, now includes llamas in her field of expertise. She invites her friend to accompany her on a llama-spotting expedition around the city. As they walk, they encounter all manner of creatures – humped, scaly, furry with spots, shelled,
very long-necked, soft and woolly, but a llama? Not around here declares our self-dubbed expert who evidently hasn’t noticed any of the posters advertising a parade as she leads her long suffering friend who identifies each animal, on a wild-llama chase. Asserting on the penultimate spread, ‘There can’t be any llamas round here’ our leader heads homewards.
Young listeners will delight in the final spread whereon Ian shows a Llama Parade just behind the two children. Those same listeners will also have enjoyed spotting a llama (or two) in the background of every other double page illustration.
We’re Going on an Egg Hunt Goldie Hawk and Angie Rozelaar Nosy Crow
Unashamedly using the nursery favourite ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ as the basis, Goldie Hawk sends her three young child protagonists, springing into action in search of eggs, baskets in hand. As they walk, the children encounter pecking, clucking hens, munching-crunching bunny rabbits, hopping frogs,
rustling-swishing plants until eventually – yippee! They discover ten eggs. Having loaded their baskets, it’s time to make the return journey back the way they came, arriving just in time to take part in a joyful Easter parade.
Angie Rozelaar’s vibrant scenes with splashes of day-gio pink and luminous green convey the freshness and joy of springtime and of the search. Just right for sharing with very young children as spring and Easter approach. I suggest buying to give instead of an Easter egg; its pleasures will last SO much longer.
I Hate Love Books MariaJo Ilustrajo Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
On the last day of term, the girl narrator along with her classmates receives this parting comment from her teacher, “Enjoy your holidays, and don’t forget to read a book!” This girl, we then learn is a total bibliophobe. Nonetheless she’s duly taken to the library but nothing there appeals in the slightest
so it’s left to mum to make the choice for her.
Back home, the girl makes herself comfortable and reluctantly, opens the book. To her surprise, she’s almost immediately drawn into the story, a wonderful adventure story wherein she meets a furry guide
who leads her on a search for special ingredients. And what are these ingredients for? The most powerful of all spells …
If ever a child needs convincing of the magical power of books and stories – give them this, Mariajo’s new picture book that has everything you could want – adventure, magic, a demonstration of the power of the imagination and terrific illustrations with clever colour changes. I love the sneaky insertion of the author’s previous two picture books on the class bookshelf on the first spread, as well as a certain polar bear who, along with several other book characters, appears on the final page. Don’t miss out on the endpapers either. As a life-long bibliophile, I love everything about this story.
These are both Bloomsbury Children’s Books publications – thank you to the publisher for sending them for review.
Once Upon A Storytime Gareth Peter and Natelle Quek
Every night Nia and her mum lose themselves in a bedtime story, usually featuring the story components Nia likes most. One night after the story ends, Nia asks, “What if I get lost, like the children in that book?” She describes a scary scenario from a fairy tale, going on to ask if her mum would rescue her and her mum explains just how she’d rescue her. Nia continues conjuring up scary scenes and for each one her mum describes a rescue operation prefacing her plan with a reassuring “Yes, always!”
Nia comments on how brave her Mum is.
Mum then turns things around asking Nia, “But what if I was lost?” Her daughter responds positively and having established that they are both brave and always there for one another, it’s time to switch off the light, Mia safe in the knowledge that their adventures will always have a happy ever after ending.
With dragons, unicorns, wicked witches,
brave princesses, treasure and faraway lands, this is an enchanting bedtime book and one that shows young children stories can empower them. Natelle Quek’s scenes call forth wondrous images and with her clever use of dark and light hues, truly bring the nicely flowing story to life. Young listeners will love identifying the classic fairy tales from which Nia gets her storylines.
Grandmas are the Greatest Ben Faulks and Mia Tudor
Taking little ones through every type of brilliant grandma, author Ben Faulks and illustrator Mia Tudor’s elevating book is a heartfelt celebration of intergenerational love. Prompted by a question from one small child to her Grandma, readers are introduced to all kinds of grans, each one special in her own way. Among others we meet an actor, a gardener, an ambulance driver, an acrobat and a mountaineer, there’s even a secret spy grandma. The important thing though, is that every one of them shares a relationship with her grandchild that is as precious and dependable as the Grandma who responds to the opening query.
Joyfully written and illustrated, this is a delight for any Grandma to share with her own grandchild or grandchildren.
Please! Simon Philip and Nathan Reed Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Deliciously anarchic and utterly bonkers, this is the story of what happens to young Bill who stops at an ice-cream van, forgets to be polite and say please. He’s kidnapped by alien toads and taken into their spaceship, which crashes in the middle of a jungle. Surprisingly the crocs that lurk therein fix the spaceship, climb aboard too and off they go again.
Soon Bill feels hunger pangs and wants to stop for a snack but guess what: he forgets to say the vital words and oops! they all tumble on top of a yak. Will he ever learn to be polite? Not before the yak charges into a fairy-tale land with witches, knights, wizards and others, some decidedly bellicose …
Further chaos follows of a very wet kind, which seems to jump start the politeness cells in Bill’s brain: “Just stop this now, PLEASE!” he yells. Lo and behold, almost before you can say farewell, the lad finds himself back where he started, beside Mr Simon’s ice-cream van where again he now knows to say please. However, there’s another very important little word that he forgets to use. Uh-oh! …
Simon Philip’s hilarious text and Nathan Reid’s equally hilarious scenes of Bill’s lesson-learning journey will certainly have children and adult readers aloud, laughing at every turn of the page and the former one hopes, will not be forgetful when they request lots of re-readings of the book.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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? 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.
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 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 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.
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 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,
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:
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 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,
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.)
These are both new titles from Walker Books: thank you to the publishers for sending them for review.
Taxi, Go! Patricia Toht and Maria Karipidou
Courtesy of Patricia Toot’s rhyming text and Maria Karipidou’s vibrant illustrations, we join a smiley red taxi for a busy working day in town, driving through all kinds of weather, as it stops to pick up fare-paying passengers – in turn a business woman, shoppers and children going to play football, a couple going to a dance,
theatre visitors and finally our busy cab heads for the airport to collect a family returning from their travels abroad. With them safely home, it’s back to the depot for a well-deserved night’s rest.
There is so much to see in the child-friendly scenes, you will likely need to share this several times to allow your young audience to enjoy the action and linger over all the details including the town’s diverse residents.
Parents/carers might choose to read this at bedtime to encourage their little one(s) to join Taxi as it dims the light and slips off into the land of slumbers.
Oops! Rabbit Jo Ham
This is another striking succession of playful misadventures in the life of Jo Ham’s silhouette leporine character. Herein, Rabbit wields a paintbrush creating a mural until ‘Oops!’ the chair Rabbit is standing on topples and it’s then ‘Rabbit off’ and paint splashing all around. A large wave destroys the sandcastle in the second misadventure. Then comes bath-time with further mishaps due to an excess of bubblebath and finally, tempted by the sight of a cake atop the table, Rabbit finds a creative use for an umbrella. Small humans will enjoy following the four sequences and joining in with the repeated, ‘Rabbit on … Oops! … Rabbit off’ text.
Remembering Sundays With Grandpa Lauren H. Kerstein and Nanette Regan Beaming Books
It’s Sunday morning and Henry has woken up feeling sad.. His Grandpa died just a short while ago and the boy goes downstairs to share a hug with his mum. She responds to Henry’s “Why did he have to die?” question by saying that Grandpa’s body had become too frail but his love will live on forever. She goes on to show the boy how she knows this is so. First she suggests he should sit in the rocking chair and having shut his eyes, Henry is able to feel Grandpa’s presence when they read stories together.
Out in the garden the cucumber vines offer another reminder, this time of how Grandpa got hiccups when he ate their fruits.
Back indoors they continue looking: Henry finds other reminders – a crab hat, Mum’s musical jewellery box and she in turn sees Grandpa in Henry’s features. Most importantly though, they both know that Grandpa is always in their hearts and Henry then thinks of another place they’ll always find Grandpa’s love, which leads to a special ritual every Sunday henceforward …
A gentle story of loss that reminds readers that although a person is no longer physically present, their love lives on forever and always.
I Love You to the Moon and Back All Year Long Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes Little Tiger
The thoroughly appealing bears – adult and cub – return in a fourth book by team Hepworth and Warnes. This time we follow the two through the year as they enjoy the changes each season offers, from a snowy winter, shoots heralding the arrival of spring, the warmth of summer, the scrunchy autumn leaves and the return of winter’s snow when the bears snuggle up together in the cave that gives them shelter.
Amelia’s gentle, lyrical text tells what the adult bear loves doing with the little bear be that watching the sun melt the snow, holding paws, cavorting in the river’s sparkling water,
meeting friends or holding the little one aloft beneath the swirling snowflakes of a winter sky at night. “I’m grateful for the love we share / that shines the whole year through.”
So too does the shared love between adult and child, which is captured beautifully in Tim’s playful seasonal scenes. These sometimes include other creatures such as a heron, frogs, furry woodland animals and other bears. Share at bedtime whatever the season.
I Love You Mary Murphy Happy Yak
How many ways are there to say, ‘I love you’? We follow a pair of pandas, one large, one small, as they spend time together discovering ever more ways they can show their love – from a bowl of juicy berries to building bricks, and pebbles in a pail
to a picnic on a blanket. The author uses lots of playful language, especially alliteration as the two characters make the most of one another’s company
Employing similes inspired by their activities and surroundings, the text is written in rhyme and illustrated with a minimal colour palette that makes the images stand out from the mustard yellow pages, this is an anthem to love. I wouldn’t advise picking this up and reading it sight unseen to a young child, as it’s important to get the rhythm right to do justice to the phraseology.
There is certainly plenty to talk about and enjoy with little ones who are likely to have their own ideas to add to those of the pandas.
Have You Seen Mikki Olsen? Alex Macdonald Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (First Editions)
Penguin appears to spend much of the time each day carrying out the three tasks listed on the To Do List that is fixed to the wall – fishing, chopping lots of wood, and buying sticky icky fish. No matter where he goes or what he does, the penguin has his much loved pink teddy Mikki Olsen as his companion.
One day a sticky icky fish gets stuck to Mikki Olsen’s posterior and when the penguin then sits on the teddy, Mikki sticks to his bottom, unbeknown to the weary penguin who goes home and falls fast asleep.
The following morning the penguin realises his teddy is missing so he searches here, there and everywhere including inside a whale’s mouth. (Children will relish being in the know about where the teddy is at every turn of the page).
Come nightfall the exhausted searcher flops down on his back in the snow and in so doing creates the means for him to discover Nikki Olsen’s location. All’s well when, having greeted his lost teddy and promised to be a better carer henceforward, the two return home for some well-earned shut eye.
The combination of spare text and snowy scenes with amusing details make Alex Macdonald’s debut a delight for sharing with young listeners.
I Love You More Clare Helen Walsh and Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell Nosy Crow
Parental love and the wonders and beauty of the natural world come together one bedtime when Rae’s Mum attempts to tell her daughter just how much she loves her. Clare’s lyrical text in combination with team Howdeshell, the illustrators, convey the heartfelt message effectively, showing that such love is unconditional and life long.
Herein we encounter among other creatures, waddling penguins and snoozy seal pups atop the ice, gliding eagles, desert dwelling camels and lizards, various marine creatures ,
majestic big cats and pandas as well as celestial bodies – ‘sparkly planets shining brightly in the night’ and more. As the two finish counting the stars in the sky, Rae realises the enormity of her Mum’s love, . a love that even then Mum feels she’s not expressed sufficiently strongly- and we see the two snuggled lovingly together.
The mixed media illustrations of the animals in their home environs suggest that the way is left open for Rae to change as she too explores beyond her immediate home and surroundings.
Love is in the Little Things Stella J Jones and Jane Massey Little Tiger
Small – a human child and Big – a large bear love one another very much, but how do they show that love? Stella Jones’s first person text and Jane Massey’s heart-warming watercolour illustrations show that essentially as Big says, ‘ love is made from the little things’ – every day things such as holding hands, making and taking tea together, a goodnight kiss, hugs, saying sorry,
extending a helping paw or hand. As Little realises as they look skywards, “Love is made of ALL the little things. Just like the trillions of tiny twinkly stars make the forever of the deep blue sky.’ Gentle, reassuring, and sometimes exciting like those ‘tingletastic, tummy jumbling, giant-enormous glorious fireworks and starbursts.’
I Turtley Love You Harriet Evans and Bryony Clarkson Little Tiger
This board book takes readers beneath the ocean waves where, through Harriet’s gentle rhymes and Bryony’s engaging illustrations they will encounter several ocean creatures and their little ones. There are turtles, seahorses, clownfish, jellyfish and more either playing or snuggled up together. The emphasis on each spread is the love the adult gives to the little one. With cut-outs and stand-outs on each spread, little humans will enjoy the tactile opportunities offered by interesting watery, collage style visuals. Some adults might find the words slightly too sugary.
Through stunning illustrations with details meticulously painted and four lined poems, Dennis McGregor introduces readers to sixteen pairs of animals that share names but not anatomy..
Similarities and/or differences are highlighted, depending on which animal voice is speaking. Thus, fish and fowl share rainbow hues but the parrotfish that speaks flies through the sea whereas the parrot it addresses flies through the skies, something the fish envies.
In contrast, the Cowbird comments in alliterative style, ‘Fashion choices I prefer / feature feathers over fur.’ when talking to the black and white cow upon whose back it perches.
In the opening poem the Kangaroo and the kangaroo rat have much in common and so the marsupial doesn’t mind that the little rodent shares its name. Turn the page and thereon the chicken is rather less enthusiastic about sharing her name with the predatory chicken hawk.
Next, addressing the catfish through the glass of its tank, a moggy comments somewhat resentfully thus: ‘You don’t meow or even purr. / You have no paws, you have no fur. / I guess it’s whiskers we can blame / for the stealing of my name.’
A book that will appeal most to both art lovers and animal enthusiasts from around seven years old.
Ice Journey of the Polar Bear Martin Jenkins and Lou Baker-Smith Walker Books
This addition to the excellent Protecting the Planet series is written by conservation biologist, Martin Jenkins. In this book, the author has deftly woven into his narrative the crucial importance of conservation: like those written by Nicola Davies, as well as a story, this is a rallying cry to youngsters to act as stewards for our precious plant and its wildlife now and for future generations.
Here we follow an adult polar bear as she undertakes an arduous and challenging journey
through a stunningly illustrated Arctic landscape during which she gives birth to twin cubs, one male, one female.
During her travels it becomes alarmingly evident to us, the readers, how climate change has negatively impacted, not only upon the polar bears but upon the Arctic environment. This means that the future for these cubs, which we hope will survive to become awesome animals like their mother, is an uncertain one.
As the author says in a note at the end of the story, ‘as the climate warms the bears are now spending more time on land than before. So far they seem to be coping and polar bear numbers are keeping quite steady, but as things get worse the population will probably start to decrease.’ This underscores the vital importance of our role as individuals and communities.
An important book to add to KS1/2 classroom collections and family bookshelves.
The Biggest Mistake Camilla Pintonato Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
“It’s time for you to catch a gazelle on your own.” So says Papa Lion to his cub one morning. Having located his prey, the little lion convinced that his task will be easy, hides behind a bush, waits and leaps. However, the gazelle escapes. Little lion tries again … and again
but none of his strategies are successful. His prey escapes every time and to make matters worse the other gazelles gather to laugh at his attempts.
Ashamed, with his ego dented, the little lion hides away leaving gazelle basking in her triumph. A triumph that is short lived however as it soon gives way to boredom.
The gazelle hunts for a long while for the little lion but her search is unsuccessful until at sunset, she spies him.. She creeps closer and closer but now it’s her turn to make a mistake , a very big one and she’s captured. Is this the end for the nimble creature?
A tongue-in-cheek tale with a fun final twist, deftly translated from the original Italian by Debbie Bibo. With a focus on the animals’ movements, Camilla Pintonato’s bold. dramatic illustrations use the creatures’ eyes to great effect, ensuring that young humans stay engaged and amused throughout.
We Could Fly Rhiannon Giddens and Briana Mukodiri Uchendu Walker Books
As a mother and daughter sit together outside on the edge of a wood, the child looks up and points out a sparrow that she sees. Why can’t I fly like the sparrow, she wants to know. Her mother then speaks of Granny Liza and how she used to fly every night, searching for the promised land.
The trembling that the child feels through her arms, her mother tells her is like a connection to her grandmother. The two continue talking until the child says that she feels it’s time for them both to join the journey and together they take flight, searching for the promised land far away across the ocean.
After the lyrical verses and stunningly beautiful skyscapes and landscapes, we read the author’s note wherein she reveals her inspiration came from the final story in the classic folktale collection, The People Could Fly, retold by Virginia Lee Hamilton, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.
A mesmerising book, wonderfully warm that deserves to be shared widely.
Is This Love? Bob Marley adapted by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Alea Marley Chronicle Books
This new title in the series based on the lyrics of iconic reggae musician, Bob Marley, is again adapted by his eldest daughter, Cedilla. Here, she uses the repeat refrain of his song “Is This Love” to tell a story of sibling love.
We meet the siblings when the younger one is not long born and follow their loving relationship as they grow and engage in all kinds of shared activities. Big sister acts as a supportive teacher and playmate. Together they enjoy block building, bike riding, building a blanket den and visiting the playground to use the equipment.
Alea Marley’s bold, richly hued scenes have a tropical setting, with both daytime and evening activities being shown, some of which include the entire family, whereas in others we see just the two sisters.
The unique relationship shared by siblings is the key theme, but abiding warm, loving family bonds are also a vital element of this book. A book that can serve as an introduction to Marley’s music for young children, while also making adult sharers feel uplifted and nostalgic. It would make a smashing book to give a family as a welcome to a new arrival.
Always Never Always Meg McKinlay and Leila Rudge Walker Books
A little girl sets out on an adventure, accompanied by her wind-up duck. As she goes, she follows advice given by an outside voice (or perhaps her own inner one): always follow a secret track and worry not where it might lead; carry useful items including a torch, notebook, fairy wings, a key and be empathetic towards your travelling companion. This last is hugely Important. Each piece of advice in Meg McKinlay’s rhyming narrative begins ‘Always…’ and is followed by the caveat, ‘Never…’
All these are sage recommendations; I particularly like, ‘Never follow all the rules, / for some are surely made by fools.’
Through both words and pictures it comes through loud and clear that during life’s journey, like the protagonist, we should look for the positives and possibilities in things,
be mindful of the needs of others, be open to as yet undiscovered wonders, put aside negativity and remain open to joy.
An inspiring celebration of what the world has to offer, with Leila Rudge’s gorgeously coloured pencil and watercolour illustrations adding the potential for a wealth of stories large and small emerging along the way as you share the rhythmic text with young children, be that at home or in the classroom.
Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year Andrea Beaty and David Roberts Abrams Books for Young Readers
As a young child, Lila Greer is a fearful individual who resides in a large city with her father, four siblings, three cats and a crow. Little by little she gains confidence in familiar situations but a move to a new town sets her back again, especially starting at a different school and having to get used to another teacher. However. Ms Kern is an empathetic person and tells Lila that she can help by cleaning the chalkboard. Lila accepts the offer and the two chat as they work, till the child feels ready to speak of her worries and ‘What Ifs’.
Time passes and under Ms Kern’s watchful eye, Lila’s self confidence builds and she’s ready to join the other children in the playground. “What if you find friends?” her teacher suggests. And of course, she does. Yes those ‘What Ifs’ return sometimes as Lila reaches adulthood. She too becomes a teacher. That is definitely cause for a visit from the ‘What Ifs’. However, Lila recalls her erstwhile teacher, Ms. Kern
and how through her kindness, she had enabled the young Lila to find her feet. Who better to emulate as she meets her very first class of children.
Andrea Beaty’s rhyming story in combination with David Roberts’ characteristic watercolour, pen, and ink stylish illustrations show just how powerful the impact of the right teacher at the right time can be for a child. In so doing they have created a wonderful storybook acknowledgement that says thank you to educators wherever they are.
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen Walker Books
If you’ve ever pondered upon the mystery of how Santa manages to go down the chimney, then this might well be the book for you. Countless young children have been spun that yarn over the years and now, frequent collaborators Mac Barnett using an unidentified narrator and artist Jon Klassen, put forward a series of hypotheses concerning his chimney descent, as well as looking at the possible means of entry should the house not have a chimney at all.
Klassen starts with Santa atop a roof, making adjustments: he pulls his belt tight in at the waist while a reindeer holds his jacket. Turn over and we see a mouse-size shrunken figure contemplating entering the chimney’s large opening. However, he might change shape in a different way. becoming super-stretchy so as to enable him to step in one leg after the other.
But supposing he should get stuck? Then what? A hefty kick from one of the reindeer maybe.. And what about all the soot that’s likely to get on his suit? A quick bit of laundry before moving on to his next house, perhaps.
For houses that lack chimneys there’s that well guarded (not) secret regarding the key under the flower pot; alternatively he can transform his shape so he can slide beneath the door or pass through the pipes and out of the tap into the sink. Having gained access things get even sillier. Does he possess the ability to get along with every household dog he meets: that would require a stash of doggy treats secreted about himself, as well as becoming the recipient of a succession of slobbery canine kisses. And what about night vision goggles if the lights are off?
Nothing is certain except that, as we read, ‘Santa goes up the chimney the same way he comes down.’ No conjectures about that though, merely the final assertion, “But I’m so glad he can.’
A splendidly silly seasonal comedy from the partnership that are best known for their droll delights delivered through dead pan words and idiosyncratic illustrations.
Christmas Cobwebs Pippa Goodhart and Ema Maliauka Tiny Owl
Pippa Goodhart has written a rather different version of an old Eastern European folktale, The Legend of the Christmas Spider, that is thought to be one of the possible origins of tinsel on a Christmas tree.
Remembering the wonderful, magical times she had at Christmas as a cub, Old Bear resolves to share that Christmas magic with her friends. She gets busy cleaning her home and shooing out the spiders from inside and then turns to the outside, especially the large tree. She decorates it with a twiggy star, berries and rosy apples; then back indoors she bakes and creates a gingerbread house. With the invitations duly written to all her friends, Old Bear suddenly hears voices. it’s those spiders again, pointing out that they’ve not been invited.
That night, tired from all her labours, Old Bear falls fast asleep right away. Not so those spiders however. They go outside to take a good look at the tree. They scuttle all over it, ‘weaving and winding wondrous webs.’ I love that alliteration and there’s lots more.
Next morning the spiders might have hidden themselves away but the fruits of their labours are evident and when Old Bear looks outside, she is not happy at what she sees on the tree. However there’s no time to do anything before her guests come a-knocking at her door. What do you think their reaction will be?
Just like that magically decorated tree, Ema Maliauka’s illustrations are a joy. So too is that Old Bear discovers the real meaning of Christmas in this tale of acceptance and embracing difference. A super story to share every year during the festive season.
It’s Christmas Eve and Lily has just moved into a new house but it doesn’t feel like home, there’s no food in the cupboards and she hasn’t got a single friend in this neighbourhood.
Acting on her mum’s suggestion to go upstairs and unpack her own things, Lily sets to work. She labels, sorts and organises until it’s almost time for bed. Then at the bottom of a box, she comes upon a wrapped package. Inside is a book but the cover and pages are blank. So it seems, but then a strange tiny creature waves and almost the next thing she knows, Lily is surrounded by snow and is being given warm clothes by the creature who tells her that it’s called Widget and is one of Santa’s elfbots. Moreover, she learns, Santa needs her help.
The bot leads Lily to Santa’s workshop wherein many more elfbots are busy making new toys. This isn’t however, where Lily’s assistance is required. In another section, Santa’s favourite, are all manner of old, broken toys. What’s needed Lily is told, is her imagination.
Can one little girl, one tiny bot and a lot of ingenuity transform piles of what looks like junk into wonderfully exciting toy inventions?
When asked what she would like in return for her efforts, Lily tells Widget her dearest wish before falling fast asleep on the sleigh. What will next morning bring: sadness at missing Santa’s visit or hope and the envisioning of making a new exciting family home?
I love the combination of creativity and up cycling in this magical seasonal story. It’s perfect for sharing in classrooms especially where there are children recently arrived from different parts of the world, and feeling like Lily as Christmas approaches, whether or not it’s a festival they would celebrate.
Santa Shark Mike Lowery Orchard Books (Scholastic)
Ex-sea-dingly silly, laugh out loud sea-sonal fun is to be found ‘neath the waves in the company of Edgar the shark. It’s late in December and elasmobranch, Edgar, is getting ready to receive a very special guest; it’s none other than Santa Shark. For this he enlists the help of his crab best pal, Lotta. Lotta however has never before heard of Santa Shark so she takes a bit of convincing, but before long she agrees to assist Edgar. As they work together preparing for the visitor, readers are treated to a plethora of puns such as the making of Christmas cods
and a rendition of “We fish you a Merry Christmas.” However as bedtime draws near, Edgar suddenly has a horrible realisation: there’s no snow. What’s to be done? If there’s no snow, it means no visit from Santa. Can anything cause the desired precipitation? Perhaps the lovely Lotta might have a brainwave … Dramatic illustrations and a zesty text will amuse both child and adult readers aloud.
Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas Matt Tavares Walker Books
Dasher (the reindeer we met previously in the book named after her) is so impatient she just cannot wait for the big night when she’ll help pull Santa’s sleigh. With just one sleep remaining before Christmas Eve, she’s wide awake with excitement and taking a run, she leaps skyward to investigate the music she’s heard.
Enjoying herself thoroughly, as the music dies away she spies bright lights on the horizon. In her joy, she fails to pay heed to the falling snow and is unable to find the North Star to guide her, so again she takes to the sky, hoping to find something familiar. At last she sees something bright way ahead.
Flying towards the light, she discovers a wonderful Christmas tree in a garden and decides to land to take a rest. There she encounters a small girl. Having admitted to being lost and hungry, she receives, thanks to the child Charlie’s kindness, both food and a means of finding the way back home. This Dasher does, just in time to reach the North Pole where a worried Mama and Santa await.
Then off they go, the reindeer team pulling Santa along on his delivery round, during which Dasher ensures that they stop to leave a special thank you to Charlie.
A gentle story with some tense moments and a happy ending, dramatically illustrated by the author.
’Tis The Season illustrated by Richard Jones Nosy Crow
Constructed of thick card, this fold out book will work well with children from around four, right through KS1. Of the twenty four shortish poems included some have a distinct Christmas feel, others are wintry and the whole thing opens into a gorgeous advent calendar zigzag frieze that can be brought out yearly on the first of December.
There are flaps to open on each of Richard Jones’ beautifully illustrated snowy spreads, the first five of which have four poems each, the next has three and the final page has Philip Waddell’s clever What Christmas Is For, the last two lines of which are the hugely pertinent, ‘Christmas is a time for peace – / Forgiving and forgetting.’
Red Reading Hub - Jillrbennett's Reviews of Children's Books 