Posted on: 23/02/2022
As we approach the 25th anniversary of World Book Day, we think that this year’s chosen theme – You are a Reader – encompasses what the charity set out to achieve by bringing books into the home, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. With libraries closed for long periods during the pandemic and permanent closures of libraries that were either in the offing or precipitated by the pandemic, access to (and ownership of) literature needs to continue to be a focus for all children but so, too, does the promotion of reading for pleasure. And this shouldn’t be the preserve of children who are already fluent in reading. We believe that children have an entitlement to access the ‘good stuff’; to connect with and develop preferences for literature and this is when children begin to see themselves as readers, wanting to devour anything they can lay their hands upon. So the message – You are a Reader – can perhaps be viewed as an affirmation whilst the books available could be seen as the gifts to enable this. In the words of Garrison Keillor (observational comedian, storyteller and author of The Writer’s Almanac), A book is a gift you can open again and again. Here is this year’s collection of books available for £1 in exchange for the World Book Day token that children will receive on or around March the 3rd: a true gift!
Rocket Rules: Ten Little Ways to Think Big! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola (Puffin - Penguin Random House Children's)
Actor-turned author Nathan Bryan and illustrator Dapo Adeola are relative newcomers in the world of children’s literature and we were delighted to see their plucky and thoughtful character, Rocket, have her own ‘moment’ for this World Book Day. Melding together key characteristics of Rocket seen in the first book of the series, Look Up! (2019) which was followed by Clean Up! (2020), space enthusiast and champion of ecological protection, Rocket presents children with ten rules to live one’s life by. It’s a bit like a self-help book for the littlest children (and actually not bad for older children and adults who need a reminder to reintroduce energy and awe and wonder to their lives!) where we are instructed to Wake Up!, Look Up! Read Up! Eat Up! Speak Up! Stand Up (minus the exclamation for it is the opener of a longer command) Clean Up! Rise Up! Grow Up! and Don’t Give Up! Such a fantastic message to promote awareness of self and others (including social issues) and all beautifully illustrated by the talented Adeola. We can’t wait for the next Rocket adventure!
Dinosaur Roar and Friends! by Peter Curtis and Jeanne Willis (Macmillan Children's Books)
Created by Peter Curtis in association with the Natural History Museum, the series aims to provide story-based information for the very youngest children when they are most likely to be in a dino-curious phase. Written with rhyme and with cartoon -style illustration, the appeal is evident. And whilst there is a sense of narrative, in a different font appear labels of the identifying features of each dinosaur and then their correct names with phonetic pronunciation too! Informative, engaging and fun, this is a lovely World Book Day offer for young dinosaur fans and a super introduction to some of the features that might be present in a non-fiction text.
Hey Duggee: The World Book Day Badge by Studio AKA (Ladybird -Penguin Random House Children's)
Members of the Squirrel Club – an activity club where badges can be earned upon completion of various tasks, for those not au fait with all-things Duggee – have arrived sporting various costumes to represent their favourite books. But there’s a problem: Duggee doesn’t know what to dress up as! His friends make several suggestions, including a Tudor-style tunic and feathered hat, as Someone who lived in the olden days from a history book, but vote unanimously that Duggee dress up as a superhero from a comic. The friends struggle however to choose a story to read that has all the other members of the Squirrels Club’s different characters represented. Creativity takes over and there’s time at the end of the session for everyone to have a Duggee Hug, having all earned their World Book Day badges. Sweet and exactly the message that World Book Day seeks to promote. What better way for younger readers to be introduced to World Book Day than by favourite doggy character, Hey Duggee?
Grimwood: Five Freakishly Funny Fables by Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster)
In this WBD special, we are immersed into the woodland where we meet some familiar faces and some new characters. In Grimwood, there’s a sense of community. Titus, a sensitive, thoughtful stag and mayor of Grimwood encourages his people to connect – sometimes through bagpiped tunes; and sometimes in a talking circle, to create a shared story… with the Talking Potato that is passed around in turn. And then there’s Ingrid – most glamorous of ducks and movie star appearing in a pastiche of a James Bond story titled Licence to Quack… Fans of Nadia Shireen’s witty and irreverent style will love the 5 fables in this book, that somehow manage to have depth of meaning yet still be utterly hilarious. A great early novel for fluent Year 2 children to access independently but also fun as a ‘read aloud’ book, not least because of certain phrases that might just have adults spluttering at the double entendre! Genius!
Jemima the Pig and the 127 Acorns by Michael Morpurgo and Guy Parker-Rees (HarperCollins Children's Books)
This delightful tale – based on ideas from Morpurgo’s Farms for City Children initiative – has an extremely nostalgic feel to it. Referencing how the name links to other animal-based literature, we meet Jemima the Gloucestershire Old Spot Sow and biggest pig I’ve ever seen in my whole life, according to the narrator. Written from the perspective of a now-adult and parent of three, this is a reminiscence of a trip to a farm that the narrator took as a boy and the antics of a highly loveable yet mischievous whopper of a pig who – it is clear – is very much the one in charge of things at the farm. And so begins a friendship between boy and pig, until one day Jemima falls mysteriously ill*… Parker-Rees’ gorgeous illustrations add to the charm of this book.
*spoiler: she appears ill for the most delightful of reasons and the tale concludes happily.
My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of True or False by Matt Lucas and Sarah Horne (Farshore)
This book is filled with useful facts; frivolous facts and facts about things you didn’t even know existed! The book’s guide (Lucas, we assume) makes the bold opening statement that we aren’t to expect decent grammar or any punctuation. Fortunately – for sense’s sake – the true or false ‘facts’ that the reader is invited to consider on each themed page are both accurate in grammar and correctly punctuated. Each true or false question has been grouped into categories (handily listed in a contents page) and some are informative. For example, in ‘Extraordinary Entertainment’ we are asked: Can you spot which jobs (on a film-set) are real and which are made up? …Child wrangler, anyone? Some questions, however, are utterly bonkers: did you know that, in Austria, there’s an orchestra where the performers play on instruments made solely from fruit and veg? Lives up to its title: very silly indeed with quirky illustrations by Sarah Horne that add to the humour.
The Worst Class in the World in Danger! by Joanna Nadin and Rikin Parekh (Bloomsbury)
With the comfort of a familiar trope – that of a maligned group of misfits, Class 4B live up to their reputation as literally the worst class in the world. Compared with 4A, whose Class Captain- Eustace Troy – is a shining example of brilliance being that he plays first violin in the school orchestra and is team leader on the Shining Examples Competitive Spelling Squad, 4B don’t appear to have much going for them. That is, until a special guest arrives to assembly (in a helicopter, no less): modern-day Indiana Jones-type snake-defying adventurer Mavis Grady, Danger Lady. So varied and wild are her experiences that she’s written an autobiography! Inspired by her and motivated by their teacher’s promise of a copy of Mavis’ book for the winning piece, 4B set about writing their own autobiographies. You would think that this was the chance for literally the worst class in the world to redeem themselves… will they? Brilliantly engaging and perfect in terms of interest level for children who have a reading age that is lower than their actual age. Parekh’s skilled illustrations are perfect for this age-group and are undoubtedly inspired by (albeit in an exaggerated way) pupils he has come across in his other role as Primary Learning Support Assistant in Wembley, Northwest London.
The Wizard and Me: More Misadventures of Bubbles the Guinea Pig by Simon Farnaby and Claire Powell (Hachette Children's Group)
This hilarious yet poignant story is perfect for Lower KS2 children, we think. The story is told from the perspective of a guinea pig, called Bubbles, who has the magic ‘gift’ of speech bestowed upon him. We’re not entirely sure just how magical Bubbles’ human – Rose – feels this is but it does give Bubbles the opportunity to offer comfort in Rose’s time of need. Her dad has left the home and as a result, she had to move schools. Now, some children might find these to be positive steps, depending on the circumstances but it has deeply affected Rose. She leaks from her eyes; a human ability that Bubbles doesn't understand. So when Rose takes the decision to run away from home, taking Bubbles (but forgetting the all-important pet kibble), things take an unexpected turn in the form of a pine-cone. And oh! the mischief Bubbles gets up to being able to speak… A true delight of a read where many children will be able to ‘see’ themselves within the text.
PEAK PERIL: A High-rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson (Knights Of)
From the setting of a man-made high-rise in inner-city London, to the beautiful naturally occurring high rises of the Peak District, sisters Nik and Norva are supposed to be having a rest from their super-sleuth roles on the Tri: the estate where they live, and where there seem to be an inordinate number of grisly happenings. They’re taken on a girls-only retreat – Girls Get Going, which Norva grumbles is sexist, given that her best friend George hasn't been allowed to attend but can the two fearless girls ever leave mystery and danger behind when they seem so attuned to finding it? By the end of chapter 2, there’s a deep sense of foreboding. Nik – steady and measured to her sister’s feist and forthrightness – narrates us through a trip which proves to be far from restful: danger lurks close by and new friends need help! Utterly gripping and perfect for children in upper key stage 2.
Think Like a Boss: Discover the skills that turn great ideas into CASH by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Adam Hayes (Hachette Children's Group)
You might expect with the subheading, DISCOVER THE SKILLS THAT TURN GREAT IDEAS INTO CASH, that money-making is the sole name of the game with this book. With a front cover that is cleverly golden and adorned with illustrations of coins so plentiful that a crane is needed to shift them, you might also think that this book would be about easy fixes and ‘getting rich quick’ suggestions for young people. Sure, YouTubers, Insta Influencers and the like may seem to be making easy money, but, actually, this book is about instilling in young people work-ethic; skill-development and – crucially – the path that other successful leaders and entrepreneurs have already walked in order to get where they are. And whilst there are lots of tips around developing a concept through to marketing and sales, there is a strong focus on the necessary personal qualities and attributes that must be worked upon in order to achieve a dream such as adaptability, empathy and open-mindedness. We think this is such a fantastic book for children in upper key-stage 2, whether they’re interested in being a boss or not. Great preparation for the transition to secondary as there are a lot of activities and thinking and talking points that could be transformative for pupils wanting to develop their self-esteem, ambition and drive. The illustrations by Adam Hayes are engaging and friendly whilst supporting meaning and create an accessible feel to what could be seen as quite sophisticated content. Brilliant and a zeitgeist of a read given the current financial situation nationally and the need to work on cultural capital for children.
Posted in: Literature Review
