Posted on: 21/07/2021
While writing this on July the 19th - so-called ‘freedom day’ from Covid-19 restrictions, and in the week where the vast majority of schools break-up for the summer holiday - it seemed apt to theme August’s review around freedom. As a concept, that of freedom is an interesting one. At times, we may believe we have limitless freedom and freedoms; that we can run wild and free but aren’t we all really bound by constraints of conscience and circumstance? This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, and we feel it’s so important for children to feel free yet also understand that there must be space for others; consideration for and of others. And teaching children how to keep their – and others’ - physical and emotional selves safe is also of huge importance as they grow to understand that with freedom comes responsibility. As we navigate our way out of the many restrictions we’ve lived with for oh-so-long, perhaps we need to use this as an opportunity to appreciate that – at least as souls- we are free and that a sense of freedom can come in many different forms.
Bird’s Eye View by Frann Preston-Gannon (Templar Publishing, 5th August 2021)
Eagerly anticipated, we were thrilled to read this beautiful new book from Frann Preston-Gannon: an author/illustrator who has become synonymous with picture books that foray into deep social and environmental issues. With that characteristic softness of colour and a gentle easing-in, we meet Little Bird. Little Bird is curious about what lies beyond the tree-tops where she nests with her mama. Mama talks of ‘people’; something her own mother has warned her away from. She doesn't know what people are and so, wings big and strong enough and ready to fly the nest, Little Bird’s curiosity overcomes her and off she flies. From above, she observes the world below and spots what she reasons must be ‘people’. But they are confusing: sometimes They seem quiet and slow yet sometimes they seem to be hurrying. They are colourful and happy. Little Bird observes kindnesses such as people sharing and singing beautiful songs, just like birds! She also observes that there are other people who do not seem to place value upon freedom: caging birds; littering the environment… yet still, others who are cleaning up. Then the flash of a net…a fall to the ground. When we reach the denouement…oh! …little hands gently picked her up. We defy anyone to read this beautiful book without becoming at least dewy of eyed. An important reminder for us all to look for the kind people because, through kindness and a sense of responsibility, there is freedom for all. A perfect summer-read to share with your own little birds readying to spread their wings and would also be a perfect addition to book corners in key stage one.
The Wild Before by Piers Torday (Quercus Children’s Books, 19th August 2021)
Retrospectively written as a prequel to The Last Wild, this is a fantasy adventure that is as much about as being wild as it is about being free. This is where the epic trilogy – where we finally begin to understand how things came to be in the state they are in Torday’s dystopian post-pandemic The Last Wild (the first book in the trilogy) - begins. Little-Hare has been chosen. Chased by the enemy, his destiny seems to be that of saving the world: For he is not just any hare. He is the hare of hope. And his courage and eagerness to do the right thing is borne from guilt: the fear that his Moth-hare and Fath-hare’s deaths were somehow his fault. Then comes a moment that is to change everything for Little-Hare’s life forever: a newborn calf, name foretold, sits by her dead mother’s body. She is in need of milk and warmth and Little-Hare vows to help. But before he can, the humans come and load the cow and calf onto a tractor before driving off. Little-Hare knows that his Wildness, leader of their wild must be told in person for not only does his Wildness need to be kept informed of the humans’ actions, but so too must he know that it was his calf who had been born before tragedy took his mate. And it is then that Little-Hare learns of what he must do: the calf – named by Little-Hare as ‘Mooncalf’ owing to her shimmery moonlight colouring – is the very same calf to be discovered and saved for as in the animal dream it is foretold that, A little one…must save the mooncalf to avoid what follows. For if you do not save her by midsummer…there will be great terribleness. Can Little-Hare free them all from the fate that has been prophesised? And will he ever feel that sense of freedom from being burdened by all that has gone before?
Such a joy to read this, a novel through the eyes of creatures in their wild: very lyrically written with moments of great tenderness cleverly juxtaposed with the harsh realities of the situation. The ‘heavier’ parts of the book are somewhat softened by the light relief that comes in the form of the humorous sub-plot around Little-Hare’s sister and her suitor. Perfect for animal-lovers as they will adore the animal-speak that is explained at the start of the book in the Field guide to the animal tongue. Brilliant for all Torday fans in upper key stage 2.
If I Ran the Country: An introduction to politics where YOU make the decisions by Rich Knight and illustrated by Allan Sanders (Hachette Children’s Group, 5th August 2021)
Children (and some adults, actually) may be forgiven for thinking that one might be afforded the ultimate freedom were they to be in charge of something. The thing is, as we’ve already briefly touched upon, with freedom comes responsibility and this is a perfect book through which to explore this concept. Imagine being so in charge that you can literally do anything you want, were it not for the fact that as leader of a country, it is largely down to you to lead by example and to make decisions that are altruistic and inclusive and not purely for your own gain… So this text is a fantastic way to get children to engage with politics and begin to understand the complexity of making decisions whilst attempting the seemingly impossible task of keeping everyone happy. The use of humour and the fact that the author has really ‘channelled’ his target audience, makes this very relatable: readers are congratulated upon opening the text for being the newly appointed leader of their own country and, with that in mind, the children learn about all manner of things pertaining to the world of politics. What’s especially effective is the inclusion of the requisite skills such as public speaking; lessons in diplomacy; leadership and so on – all skills that we believe it’s highly important that children are supported in developing. Whether children wish to get into politics when they are older or not, this is essential reading for anyone in upper key stage 2. And it is these skills and insight into how the world works and how a country is run that are the very experiences that could – ultimately – provide a greater number of freedoms for the children and young people in our lives.
Posted in: Literature Review
