Christmas Bibliotherapy: Staff Picks for 2021

Nano by Dr Jess Wade and illustrated by Melissa Castrillón 

 We are living in a golden age of children’s literature, and this is as true for non-fiction as much as it is for fiction. Our favourite non-fiction books for children often tackle ambitious subjects in innovative and inviting ways, finding refreshing combinations of illustration and text. Nano, The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small, achieves all this beautifully. As the title states, this book investigates the world of the minuscule, breaking down scientific subjects such as materials, atoms, molecules, elements and technology – subjects that might traditionally be reserved for secondary school students – in a delightfully accessible way for primary-aged children. The text effortlessly moved through biology, chemistry and physics and explores how innovations in nanotechnology are shaping our future for the better. This would make a great present for any child with a passion for science; a great book to go alongside a microscope or science kit under the tree

George and his Nighttime Friends by Seng Soun Ratanavanh

Seng Soun Ratanavanh is an incredibly talented illustrator and writer. Her book George and his Nighttime Friends was first published in France in 2020 and the English edition this year. Like all the texts she has illustrated, each page is warmly wrapped in gentle detail, glowing colours and exquisite line, reminiscent of Oriental print. This story focusses on a boy (called George) who cannot sleep. He tosses and turns well into the night and is terrified of the dark. As he lies awake staring at the ominous, shadowy wallpaper, he wishes that he has a nighttime friend to comfort him and to his surprise he begins to meet some. His first friend is a little mouse who takes him on a tour of the house where he goes on a dream-like adventure. Each illustration captures a room of the house, undisturbed by the pressures and logic of day and brushed with the surreal languid charm of night. This would certainly make a great Christmas present to comfort young children who struggle to sleep on those dark, wintery nights. 

Weirdo by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, illustrated by Magenta Fox

It is Kit’s birthday and she is presented with A Surprise… a little guinea-pig sporting a Judo outfit. Kit’s other pets don’t know what to make of The Surprise and deduce that if she’s not a cat, dog or bird like Dora’s other pets then she must simply be a Weirdo. And so begins a desperate attempt for Weirdo to try and fit in; try to make the others like her by being not herself (too weird) but like the others. At first, it doesn’t work but then she has an idea! Attaching Kit’s birthday balloons to her little furry arms, she floats into the air but when she is accidentally blown out of an open window, things take a turn…don’t worry though. All is resolved and when Kit comes home from school, she names The Surprise, ‘Maud'. With themes of belonging, acceptance, prejudice, isolation and forgiveness, this is a perfect text for young children both in helping them understand that they themselves are a gift just as they are but also that they must give space to others to be who they are, too. This Christmas I will be gifting this to my 5 year old niece.

A Night at the Frost Fair by Emma Carroll, illustrated by Sam Usher

This delightful illustrated novella is heartfelt and expertly pairs the modern-day with past-times. Carroll’s writing has become synonymous with historical context and this book is no exception. What is so clever is that she has created a parallel between two characters who identify with each other…a mere 200 years apart! Maya’s Gran has been moved into a care home and it’s an uncomfortable step for all concerned. Gran has always had a sense of adventure and now she feels utterly trapped; a prisoner. Having cleared her home of many treasures - too many to take into the care home - she gifts Maya’s sister a beautiful brooch which sparks some jealousy seeing as Maya has been gifted a solid, brown lump of something. But it is this brown lump that transports Maya to the past and so begins her adventure! As well as Usher’s delightful illustrations, also included is some information at the end of the text about the last recorded Frost Fair: a celebration of an extremely cold-snap where there were stalls and even ice-skating on the frozen Thames! Perfect for children in lower KS2, I will be gifting a copy of this to my 7 year old nephew.

The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen

This book is comprised of five very short stories, all made up of dialogue between three of Klassen’s stylised hat-wearing animals: a turtle, a snake and an armadillo.

The first story begins with a seemingly slow-moving and insignificant conversation between the animals discussing and disagreeing over their favourite spot to stand in the field. All the while, the reader senses impending doom as they are let into the knowledge that a rock is falling somewhere from the sky above, then watches on as it suddenly destroys the turtle’s favourite spot (with the turtle narrowly escaping the same fate!)

The following four short stories build on this first story with the same characters reacting to the rock’s arrival and continuing their friendships whilst experiencing stubbornness, betrayal, time-travel, even alien invasion and- again- another falling (and well-timed) rock.

I would recommend this book for anyone with a witty and dry sense of humour. I would particularly recommend it for children in Key Stage 1 who enjoy a sense of suspense and stories that do not go the way you had imagined when you first opened the book!

Twitch by MG Leonard

This is an uplifting story about a 12-year-old bird enthusiast called Twitch. Twitch finds the company of birds much easier than that of humans, and spends his time looking after his pet pigeons, chickens and the swallows nesting in his bedroom. His bed is akin to a giant bird box and his favourite activity is to birdwatch from the secret and impressive hide he has made for himself in Aves Wood. This solitary and unusual behaviour attracts unwanted attention from bullies at school, and he is much relieved when the summer holidays arrive and he can spend time alone with his feathered friends. 

However, on the first day of the holidays, Twitch finds himself becoming increasingly more and more entangled in a police investigation, with a convicted murderer and bank-robber on the loose in his precious woods. Twitch must use his bird knowledge, bravery, grounded sense of self and faith in new and unexpected friendships to fight for justice.

I would recommend this book for children in Upper Key Stage 2 who love nature, wildlife, the outdoors and a great crime mystery.

Everyone Sang: A Poem for Every Feeling, Illustrated by Emily Sutton and edited by William Sieghart

The title for this wonderful anthology is from the poem ‘Everyone Sang’ by Siegfried Sassoon, a renowned English soldier-poet, who wrote a descriptive poem about the simultaneity and beauty of music. Published in 1919, the poem expresses the jubilant singing of the people at the end of the First World War. Jubilancy is just one of the moods captured in this collection which showcases a range of different moods, and has been curated by the bestselling creator of The Poetry Pharmacy and illustrated by Emily Sutton. Christmas is the perfect time to gift a book like this and it will continue to give as it contains over a hundred poems organised into four identified  sections, including Poems to Make You Smile, Poems to Move You, Poems to Give You Hope and Poems to Calm and Connect You. Important words for the ever-changing times that we live in.

From Maya Angelou to Lemn Sissay, and Carol Ann Duffy, to Kae Tempest this diverse group of poets show us how there is always a time for poetry and that we must make time to appreciate it - which is easy when it is presented in a book as beautiful as this. I will be gifting this to my friend's daughter who has had a tumultuous year as it's a real comfort blanket of a book and one that she can turn to in the future as she grows.
 

Medusa by Jesse Burton and illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill

I read this in one sitting, entranced by the brilliance of Burton in creating a world where an age-old myth can take on a new narrative. The myth of Medusa is already fascinating but this displayed a tragic edge to it as we learn her back-story and what abuse she had suffered before banishing herself to a remote island where she lives with nobody but her snakes and her sisters for company.

The story unravels as Medusa gets to know an unusual visitor who is washed up on the island, and through talking to one another (without facing each other) they discover how similar their lives are and how much they want to get to know each other more…

In terms of themes this tackles the issue of consent brilliantly as well as showcasing the empowerment of women and sisters supporting one another. Despite knowing the myth, I found this version a moving book with welcome a feminist perspective which older children will appreciate as it tackles body issues, love, family, loss and betrayal. My youngest teen daughter will be receiving this for Christmas but it would be good for any 11+ out there who seek an alternative perspective on an old, told tale.

There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers

The latest offering from Oliver Jeffers is a gorgeous book, full of surprises.  The protagonist, a rather strange and ghostly figure herself, invites the reader in, explaining that she has been told that there is a ghost in the house, but she hasn’t found one.   She begins a tour of the house, explaining that she has been told that the ghosts; “…. are white with holes for eyes.  But they’re very hard to see.”  She cannot find a ghost, but the reader is let into the secret world of the house, as they turn opaque overlays which reveal little ghosts in each room, sitting on fireplaces, hiding behind furniture and peaking round corners – enjoying a game of hide and seek.  This book is enchanting, the kind of book that children will return to over and over again, so they can spot the ghosts that so cleverly elude the owner.  A perfect bedtime book to share.

Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep by Philip Reeve

Since I read Mortal Engines by Philp Reeve many years ago, I have always kept an eye out for his work, so I was excited to see his new novel Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep this year. 
Utterly Dark (what a fabulous name!) is a sparky, brave, inquisitive girl, with a hint of the mysterious.  Washed up on Wildsea beach as a baby, found and raised by Andrewe Dark, the watcher of Wildsea, and his housekeeper and her handyman husband, she dreams of the sea and hears its whispers.  But she lives in a community, so full of fear of the sea, they employ the watcher to warn them of sightings of the ethereal hidden islands and the terrifying Gorm, whom they believe will bring tragedy to their island.  The mysterious death of Utterly’s guardian starts a chain of events that result in Utterly allowing the Men of Weeds to take her to the Gorm on her hidden islands and to discover the reason why she does not feel fear of the ocean. This book is fast moving, exciting and enchanting, full of mythical characters and adventure.  Perfect for readers who enjoy the magic of a tale, tinged with a sense of legend.

The Girl Who Talked To Trees by Natasha Farrant, Illustrated by Lydia Corry

Olive is an eleven year-old who is extremely clever but also extremely shy.  Her best friend is the enormous and very old oak tree that lives in the grounds of her family home. The only problem is that her father, Sir Sydney wants to chop down her tree to build a new summer house.  Olive has just seven hours to save it by coming up with a more impressive alternative. She falls asleep in her favourite oak wishing it would help her.  What ensues a magical adventure for Olive as she scrambles to save her special copse and listens to the stories of the trees, going back in time and traversing continents.  This is an absolute delight of a novella that we feel will be perfect for any child who loves nature and has an interest in horticulture! It’s strong messages of conservation alongside facts about each of the trees weaved within a magical story is wonderful and we think it’s ideal for those readers who are ready for the move to longer books but still appreciate beautiful illustrations.

The Lights that Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer

In this beautifully illustrated book, we follow the voyage of some specks of dust blown to earth from the sun and how these fragments become what we know as the Northern Lights.  The wonderfully poetic language tracks the journey and their change into the Aurora Borealis ‘And then we changed as in a dream. Through the streams of air we shone.  We gleamed.’  The magical story then goes on to recount the different people’s and animals’ lives the lights affects, bringing joy to polar bears, whales, and arctic foxes, wolves, wild cats and reindeer, before being seen by storytellers, who weave them into their tales. The overarching theme is the unity and delight the aurora bring and the sense of hope associated with the spectacle.  These are just the sorts of themes that feel so pertinent right now and so, along with the wonderfully wintry illustrations, we feel this would be the perfect gift for any child with an interest in the magical or astronomical.