Posted on: 20/05/2014
And surely as Spring arrives, so does a pile of new books to review…
In our Literature review this time, we’ve picked some recently published books to share with you and this month we have a look at three books by authors we already admire. What a treat!
We have been known to say quite frequently that we have a new favourite book, but in the case of ‘Shh! We Have a Plan’ by Chris Haughton, it may well be true. We were fans of his previous books, ‘Oh No George!’ and ‘A Bit Lost’ and it’s easy to see why, as Haughton tells the stories that feel familiar – in fact we would go as far to say that they are new classics, with simple but stunning illustrations that appeal to children and adults alike for their artistry. This book is no exception, and in some ways, is better than the previous two as Haughton’s clever use of repetition carries through the book from the title. It tells the tale of friends out on a wander who suddenly spot a bird which they want to capture, but how? Although simply told, it explores essentially a theme of greed and how the simplest plans are often the best – and the kindest. What we are left with wondering with however is whether these friends have really learnt their lesson. We predict some rightfully deserved awards for this book. For 3+++++++++
We loved The Silver Donkey and Midnight Zoo and so we needed to read this as soon as we could get our hands on it! Although previously available on Kindle, and in Australia, the hardback edition pictured has just been released here. This is for slightly younger readers than her previous books but it is still beautifully told. Set in the Second World War, the Lockwood children are taken away to stay with their Uncle Peregrine in the grandly named Heron Hall in the countryside. Although you would be hooked by the exquisitely used language at the start, the adventure really gets going when the children discover two boys hiding in the half-ruined Snow Castle near to their Uncle’s. Who could they be and where have they come from?
This book will be adored by 10+ readers who love history and who will want to delve back into the past, but in this case you get more than one past to return to…
This is the third book in this review where we can say we loved previous books by the same author, but yes, Salvatore Rubbino’s previous book ‘A Walk in London’ was an immediate hit in our office for presenting information and facts in an accessible way that stopped it being dry as the facts sit alongside a story of child’s walk through one of the most famous cities in the world. This is built on a similar premise but this time with a different child and adult. A girl and her grandfather go on a walking tour and investigate the landmarks, restaurants and charm of Paris. Rubbino’s illustrations are so stylish that they seem to have found a natural home within a book on Paris. We’re planning our visit now so we can justifiably follow the footsteps through the pages!
