Posted on: 31/07/2020
We have been extremely lucky to receive advance review copies of some wonderful publications and so this month’s review theme is simply something for everyone. Finding a point of resonance and connection to literature is key to getting children to want to read and as we start to think about going back to school in September, where things will feel and be different perhaps for some time, we need to carefully consider the books that we have on offer. We’ve included books that will make children think; books that will make children question; books to help children heal and books to simply enjoy. But - to return to the idea of resonance- above all, children need to be able to see themselves in the literature that we provide access to. This month’s curated selection is: Clean Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola; Penpals Forever by CK Smouha and J Lindenberger; The Girl Who Became A Tree - A Story Told in Poems by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Kate Milner and Question Everything! An investigator’s toolkit by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker.
by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola (Puffin, 23rd July 2020)
This beautiful book sees the return of Rocket- plucky, popular and this time, keen to bring about change. Rocket, Jamal and her mother are heading off on holiday to stay with Grammy and Grampy. Rocket’s grandparents live on an island and run an animal sanctuary so, when Rocket discovers a little turtle entangled in plastic, she knows just what to do. Taking the little turtle to be helped by her Grammy and Grampy, Rocket Discovers that this is not the first time this has happened: in fact, there is now so much plastic being washed out to sea from the littered beach that there are no longer any whales swimming nearby. Rocket and Grampy set about cleaning the beach and soon other beachgoers have joined in. Rocket has set up a Cleanup Crew! Even her teen too-cool-for-school brother Jamal joins in (albeit with his phone still glued to his hand…)
From the same brilliant, award-winning duo who created ‘Look Up’, what could be more glorious than the image of Rocket and her grandmother riding the crest of a wave on a purple surfboard? Replete with little fact boxes about how to help the environment and prevent the pollution of beaches and the ocean, this is such a lovely book to encourage younger children to become involved in helping to bring about change.
by CK Smouha and J Lindenberger (Cicada Books, 27th August 2020)
It’s not hard to see why this book has been described as “A riotous tale of scale and snail mail!” with cute and quirky illustrations, a story of two unlikely penpals unfolds: Pete is a little mouse who enjoys skateboarding and lives in the city. One day a huge white thing falls to earth …and upon closer examination it appears to be a gigantic letter. The letter is from Annabel who likes nature, science and hiking. She describes herself as being grey, with big ears, a big nose and is eight years old. Well, Freddy thinks this to be a huge coincidence as he is also grey, with big ears, a big nose and is eight years old! He writes back immediately and what develops – letter by letter - is a lovely friendship between Annabel and Freddy. Then, one day, Annabel realises that she hasn’t received a letter in a while. Weeks pass and Annabel is worried so she decides to visit the city to find out what has happened to her friend Freddy… the story’s message around acceptance and finding a way past differences is clear. With lift flaps and die-cut sections, this would be a really lovely book for children in years 2 and 3 to read independently.
by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Kate Milner (Otter-Barry Books, 27th August 2020)
It’s almost impossible to articulate just how clever, moving and innovative this piece of work is. The very concept of taking verse, a Greek myth, and then narrative to create a novel in this way is extraordinary. Daphne- namesake of the woman made famous by the Greek legend, where she was turned into a tree - has lost her father to illness and seeks solace between the walls of the library and within the worlds created by computer games. She has cut herself off from her friends; has deliberately isolated herself from the world around her. Her story is told through clever use of imagery where the references to trees are intertwined with references to the technology that Daphne uses to escape into:
How long have I stood here?
Rooted here?
Inactive.
Content with growing,
content scrolling.
Has It’s been moments or months?
Time creeps differently
when sadness
hardens your heart.
The soaring words and phrases interspersed with searing, cutting references to the pain experienced in times of grief is achingly beautiful. Raw in places yet written with such tenderness, this is perfect for a year 6 class toward the end of the year and for older children, especially those facing loss.
by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker (b small publishing, 1st August 2020)
Question everything! An investigator’s toolkit is a brilliant book to have especially in the times in which we currently live. Written by winners of the Blue Peter Book Award 2018, this handy guide helps children explore ideas around different types of news; evaluate ‘news’ from different sources of information and how to begin to make decisions about what could be real and what might be so-called ‘fake’ news. There are sections on facts and speculation; how children might extract facts and then fact-check; and - crucially- how to cope with news on disaster situations through deciding what’s factual and what might be sensationalism. The main aim is to raise awareness around fake news and discourage children and young people from being part of its spread. The opportunities for developing critical thinking through the use of this text are numerous. This would be a brilliant resource for any key stage 2 class to use to support a sequence of English sessions; IT lessons on safe use of online resources and social media and PSHE.
Posted in: Literature Review
