Christmas Bibliotherapy

Literacy Tree

At the Tree, we are often asked to recommend books, not only for use in the classroom for Literacy sessions, but also for children whose parents are genuinely stumped to find a book to engage and excite. We all have different interests and these cannot always fit into fixed genres.

We believe books make the best presents; there is something intrinsically special about receiving a book you know has been selected especially for you. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of some of our recent recommendations for all different types of children, from those who prefer to live in another land, to those who prefer to be transported back in time, there is a story for each and every one of us…

A BOOK FOR THE CHILD WHO IS FASCINATED BY BUTTONS AND LEVERS, GADGETRY AND MYSTERIES

We would recommend:

Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans (8+)Small Change for Stuart

…because this story taps into the curiosity children have for old-fashioned machinery, whilst following one boy’s quest to solve a mystery using the knowledge of how these machines work and some problem-solving skills to boot.

Or

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner (9+)

…because we all like to think we are inventors and that we could come up with a concept or idea that has never been thought of before. In this story, the invention is so valuable that twins, Abilgail and John, must protect the secret of their father’s one-man helicopter from the evil clutches of identical twins Dan and Dean D. Dean.

A BOOK FOR THE CHILD INTRIGUED BY MAGIC, OTHER WORLDS, AND THE POWER OF POTIONS

We would recommend:

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy (10+)The Apothecary

… because we have all dreamt of creating a potion that makes us invisible. In this story, Janie Scott, an American who is new to post-war London meets Benjamin, an apothecary’s son who entrusts the children with potions and spells to help solve a very serious mystery

Or

Soonchild by Russell Hoban and Alexis Deacon (11+)

… because sometimes we all dream of visiting other lands and inhabiting other bodies. In this story, Shamen, Sixteen-face John finds out his first child cannot hear the world songs – the enchanted music that inspires all children to come out into the world. The book takes us through the many shape-shifts and worlds that eventually help him to find the answers he needs.

A BOOK FOR THE CHILD WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO CREATE WORLDS AND CHARACTERS, WHEREVER THEY MAY BE AND WHO PREFERS THE WRAPPING TO THE PRESENT

We would recommend:

Stanley’s Stick by John Hegley and Neal Layton (3+)Stanley's Stick.

… because sometimes all we need is a prop and that the best adventures happen outside. In this book, Stanley’s prop is his stick and it takes him on all sorts of adventures, both riding a dinosaur and flying to the moon.

Or

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (2+)

… because some children don’t need the most expensive toys that money can buy. All they need is an idea and something that can transform, whether into a boat or a mountain, and sometimes as adults we need reminding of this too.

A BOOK FOR THE CHILD WHO ALWAYS THREATENS TO RUN AWAY

We would recommend:

Fizzlebert Stump: The Boy Who Ran Away From the Circus (and joined the library) by A.F. Harold (6+)

… because in this case the lure of the library is so great, Fizzlebert agrees to be adopted by two pensioners in order to obtain a Library card. This could only lead to trouble and suddenly life in the circus is not so dull after all.

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne and Oliver Jeffers (9+)

… because sometimes we’ve all wanted to run away from our troubles and Noah does just that, leading him to find his way in an imaginary world and a magical toyshop which seems very far away from home (even though it’s the village up the road).