Posted on: 27/02/2023
March the 2nd is the date of this year’s World Book Day and this year’s theme is You are a reader with an emphasis on children making it their World Book Day. We firmly believe that for children to see themselves as readers, then we first must show them how to be readers. And we’re not talking phonics here, rather developing a culture where children know that books are for everyone and that children can get so much from literature provided that the conditions are right. We need to ensure that children can access a range of reading material and that they have the opportunity to develop preferences through reading that which we expose them to. Reading for pleasure isn’t an innate skill in all children and it certainly doesn't happen just because we’ve scheduled it into our school day. Sure, children might read (or appear to read) during a Reading for Pleasure session but might it actually be more pleasurable for children to be taken by us as educators through texts in order to make leaps (both in cognition as well as comfort zones), thus developing their own preferences? Because once children have developed preferences for genre, authors, plotlines, tropes, graphics and a plethora of other things, then they will be in a stronger, more confident position to select literature for themselves. To return to charitable organisation World Book Day’s sole aim of improving children’s life chances through books, they say: Our mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. And with the exciting selection of £1 books available this year, all specially written by an array of authors, there’s bound to be something that every child will enjoy and who knows? Children might just ‘catch’ the reading habit of a lifetime.
Billy’s Bravery by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Tom Percival is known for his heartfelt stories about relatable experiences for younger children and ‘Billy’s Bravery’ – a World Book Day special, which is even set upon the theme of dressing up, is no exception. Billy wants nothing more than to dress up as his favourite character: a superhero called Nature Girl. He lives and breathes her – the bravest of superheroes with her friendly-looking cat and the superpower of being herself. And he’s even fashioned his own costume which is exactly like Nature Girl’s: stripey tights (are you even a superhero without tights?!); a green top with a badge just like his idol and a skirt made of ocean-blue with gloves and boots to match. But what if the other children laugh? Should he maybe rethink and go as someone else? Or can a pep talk from the hero herself do enough to restore Billy’s confidence? With the wisdom of her words and the gift of a flowing cape of the most vibrant green leaves, Billy has the best day ever on World Book Day. Gorgeous for children in EYFS.
Bedtime for the Burpee Bears by Joe Wicks and Paul Howard (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
The fitness coach who became a National phenomenon in the first lockdown - now 3 years ago - has turned his hand at creating a family of bears that incorporate healthy food choices and exercise into their daily routines. And this sweet book tells the story of a familiar scenario: children’s bedtime! Bedtime isn’t going too smoothly: one of the bears has his pyjamas on back to front; one stands on a toothpaste tube and baby bear is looking for something. And - we soon learn - that the something is his teddy bear and, if it’s not found, we have a horrible feeling that The Burpee Bears won’t be getting much sleep at all! Told with kindness and love, this is perfect for your little ones and there’s even a section at the back that includes instructions for safely performing a burpee as well as a couple of healthy recipes for parents to make with or for their little bears! Perfect for toddlers/pre-schoolers.
Lifesize Creepy Crawlies by Sophy Henn (Red Shed, Farshore)
This is packed full of facts – many astonishing – about minibeasts (and not so mini minibeasts!) and what’s brilliant is that all of the creepy crawlies included have been drawn to the actual size rather than to scale. There’s everything from teeny army ants that have extraordinary strength to goliath beetles, which are – as their name would suggest – huge but magnificently so. There’s another goliath inclusion too: an arachnid that has 8 eyes and is the biggest spider in the world. The goliath bird-eating spider may have 8 eyes and, we suspect, would probably be heavy enough for us to hear it coming with footsteps from all 8 of its feet but we are told that it can’t see very well. Phew! A fantastic book with some suggestions on the final page as to what we can do to help creepy crawlies native to us including growing wildflowers and building bug hotels! Lovely for children in Year 1 and 2 to be read to by an adult but also perfect in content for independent readers in years 3 and 4.
You Choose Your Adventure by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt (Puffin – Penguin Random House Children’s)
Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart’s well-loved series promoting the possibilities within imaginary worlds has been skilfully extended with the inclusion of this World Book Day special. For those old enough to remember the circa 1980’s children’s programme, Mr Benn, there’s a certain nostalgia evoked through this book and - with children invited to decide what they’ll dress up as; where they’ll go; how they’ll get there - the possibilities are endless. Written in rhyme, there’s scope for prediction of what the characters will choose but there are also so many ways an adult or peer could engage with a child in deciding what they like/dislike; their vocabulary and knowledge of the world. Perfect for children in Reception and Year 1 to read with an adult and reread independently.
Dave Pigeon: Bookshop Mayhem by Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey (Faber & Faber)
In this Dave Pigeon special for World Book Dave … Dave Pigeon and his best friend Skipper (also a pigeon) have been set the task of penning a World Book Day book but they need inspiration! None of their ideas feel particularly brilliant to them so they do what any self-respecting pigeons with writer’s block do and head to a bookshop. Trouble is, their reputations precede them: they are even pictured in a mugshot on the shop entrance’s pinboard with the sign, ‘Banned by this bookshop’. It's all the fault of the bearded book-seller though and the two unlikely would-be literary greats manage to sneak in and hide among the shelves. But then their attention is grabbed by a plate of biscuits and chaos ensues. Will they actually manage to write that book we wonder? Hilariously funny and anarchic, this is sure to be a favourite of children in year 2 and 3 (but we also suspect older children will enjoy the silliness, too!)
Marvel Spider-Man the Amazing Pocket Guide by Catherine Saunders (DK)
The things you didn’t know you didn’t know about Spider-man! The aesthetic of Saunders’ cartoon-style illustrations with Dorling Kindersley’s reference style makes this an engaging pocket guide for any Marvel enthusiast. Presented as a page per character there are ‘regular persons’; heroes; villains; allies and even untrustworthy, unpredictable university friend of Peter Parker (none of the earlier descriptors fit – whilst he’s not a complete villain, he’s not a hero or 100% ally either… his page is simply labelled ‘it’s complicated’!) Well-written and highly accessible, we’re glad this has been included as we suspect there may be children who don't yet view themselves as readers that feel drawn to this and reassured by the manageability of the reading demand. Great fun for Marvel and Spider-man fans in key stage 2.
The Boy with Wings: Attack of the Rampaging Robot by Lenny Henry and Keenon Ferrell (Macmillan Children’s Books)
In a similar vein to the DK Spider-man exploration of superheroes, the main protagonist in this book (and as the title suggests) is a seemingly ordinary boy. We meet Tunde Wilkinson on the day of his thirteenth birthday. He’s described as being dark-skinned with fluffy black hair and having eyes that shine with warmth and intelligence… And he also has wings! So begins an adventure with some complex themes around feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Tunde and his family live at the mysteriously named ‘Facility’ and there’s a dystopian and sinister feel that only intensifies when Tunde becomes aware that his parents – both scientists – might be keeping something secret. As far as Tunde’s aware, he’s never kept their work secret from their son. But, as these things often seem to do, things worsen when a new kid starts at school. Tunde no longer feels special or important. There’s a sense of unease and he wonders just how and where it’ll all end. Perfect for fans of dystopian mythical literature and would suit children from years 4-6.
A Dragon Realm Adventure by Katie and Kevin Tsang (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books)
Billy Chan is heart-bonded to his dragon, Spark. He knew the moment he first saw her that he was drawn to her and discovered the reason: his heart matches hers. Each nurturing and fuelling the others’ power, together they are stronger and their beautiful bond creates a sense of belonging. So too does the diverse group of brave and fierce friends give a sense of belonging and courage, which is a good thing seeing as there is trouble afoot. The Dragon Realm is infiltrating the Human Realm with new mythical creatures and beasts falling to earth on a daily basis. So when the situation worsens and a group of jewel dragons become separated from a precious egg, Billy along with Dylan, Ling-Fei, Jordan and a whole host of other humans and their dragons, must set things right. A glorious tale about the power of friendship and courage. Perfect for children in lower key stage 2.
The Strangeworlds Travel Agency: Adventure in the Floating Mountains by L.D. Lapinski (Hachette Children’s Group)
From dragon-riders to Cloud-Wish festivals, this second World Book Day book about dragons is also about a quest. But this time it is not an egg that is missing but a Cloud Dragon… Flick Hudson is at the Little Wyverns Maypole festival but isn’t terribly enamoured with the goods being sold at the stalls: ‘There were homemade soaps (that smelled of goat), home-made cardigans (that felt like goat), and home-made cakes (that looked like…)’ you probably get the idea! She manages to get some free time away from her parents and nips to The Strangeworlds Travel agency with her friend Jonathon. They step inside the large suitcase and are almost-instantly transported to another world in the ‘multiverse’. Climbing out of the suitcase-portal, they find themselves at a festival but this one seems infinitely better than the Maypole Festival they've just left. And it’s not just the vibrance of the atmosphere or the fireworks sparking upwards even though it’s daytime. No. It’s more the floating mountains, flying people and the winged Sora, Guardian of The Cloud Dragon’s mountain that is the cause of excitement. They are kind enough to show the travellers around and soon enough, all three flying through the sky. But something is wrong: the Cloud Dragon has failed to appear to grant the wishes of the Strofadian people. A humorous, relatable fantasy narrative that transports you to other worlds and has the very teachable ‘moment’ of the burden and overwhelm that the expectations of others can place upon one’s soul. Perfect for children in Years 4-6.
Kay’s Brilliant Brains by Adam Kay and Henry Parker (Puffin – Penguin Random House Children’s)
This World Book Day special is written with Kay’s wit made famous by his post medical career move into comedy and then the memoirs that followed. Presented in an engaging, witty way, the reader is invited to ‘Stop everything’ they’re doing right now (aside from breathing) and realise that that they can change the world. There’s toilet humour, yes but at its core there are hard and fast facts about so many who changed the world. From Ada Lovelace and Albert Einstein to Katherine Johnson and Christiaan Barnard, there are feats of daring, ingenuity, mathematical genius and life-saving, life-changing medical breakthroughs. Paker’s humorous illustrations will engage the reader and, just as with the Marvel Spider-man book, there’s the opportunity for children to dip in and out of this, follow their interests and enjoy their reading in manageable chunks. Perfect for children in upper key stage 2.
Posted in: Literature Review
