Posted on: 25/04/2025
Culture, heritage and legacy are words that may sometimes appear synonymous or, certainly, used within similar contexts but when we delve into the roots of these three words and explore meaning, we see that the meanings can be nuanced and many. A legacy is what we leave behind when we no longer walk the earth whereas, heritage is what we might gain from those who’ve gone before. But culture connects these two constructs. Because one's culture can be both heritage and a legacy. And what’s more, the events that happen over years, decades and even centuries shape and mould culture, often leaving a legacy.
So many of the books we’ve selected for our Teach Through a Text approach at Literacy Tree explore these concepts, be they important gifts passed on as in The Sea Saw by Tom Percival; the exploration of heritage and ancestry in We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom; or the study of The Windrush Generation through Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah. There are countless other books we’ve included in our offer that tell important stories and provide both windows and mirrors. And there are many brand-new books that explore similar themes, which is why this month’s review features a carefully curated selection of books by authors and illustrators as diverse as the plots and characters explored within.
My Rice is Best written by Selina Brown and illustrated by Maxwell A. Oginni
(Puffin, 8th May 2025)
Shane LOVES rice and peas. It’s his favourite food ever and when he eats a bowlful, he feels able to take on the world! But just why is it so tasty? His mum lets him in on a generations-old family recipe secret: pimento seeds. His Great Grandmother passed it on to his Granny and granny passed it on to his mother. A legacy indeed! So when Shane takes a tub of his beloved rice and peas to school for lunch the next day, he is convinced it is a taste like no other… but the other children have brought rice too and one child in particular - Yinka - goes head-to-head with Shane as her jollof rice is, in her opinion, definitely better... an effective, gorgeously illustrated narrative about the fierce pride that comes from cultural identity but also the joy that can be found when we share.
Perfect for children in reception, not to mention a great opportunity for some cookery!
The Suitcase by Daniela Sosa
(Simon and Schuster Children’s UK, 8th May 2025, paperback edition)
A little boy is dropped off for the holidays to stay with his grandparents. At first everything is the same… nothing ever really happens, and he knows (or at least he thinks he knows) everything there is to know about his grandparents. One day, feeling bored, he follows the household’s ginger cat up the attic ladder and there, even though the boy has explored everywhere already, he discovers a mysterious suitcase. Inside there are photos, mementos, even a medal for cycling! Who on earth could these belong to? The people in the photos wear ‘cool’ clothes and are dancing. It’s a total mystery…
Such a gorgeous story that puts us in mind of Journey by Aaron Becker; Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate and Granny Came here on the Empire Windrush by Patrice Lawrence. Great for exploring the idea of heritage and the stories that have gone before with children in Year 2/3.
Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem written by Serena Patel, illustrated by Emma McCann
(Usborne Publishing, 8th May 2025)
There’s not much that pet-obsessed Pia doesn’t know about pet-care. She watches endless episodes of a pet documentary and even has her own pet supplies… the teeny, tiny little problem is that she doesn’t actually own a pet… yet. Convinced that it’s only a matter of time though and that this coming Saturday - when it’s her birthday - will be the day that Pia finally has a pet, she’s unwilling to give up. Her parents make endless excuses so when she meets her classmate - Hari - who has a problem in the form of a puppy called Luna, Pia is more than happy to help train her. Trouble is, they have just 4 days for this wayward young Labrador to learn how to sit on command, to stop barking at everything and to be nicer to Hari’s older dog, Raja, who is clearly stressed at there being such a wild ball of fluff in his life.
Funny and frank, this is a relatable story about a young child who desperately wants, but isn’t allowed, a pet. But so too is it a brilliant representation of how parents can effectively co-parent when separated and how it mightn’t all be bad when a child lives across two houses. In terms of our link to culture, there are lovely nods to Pia and Hari’s community (and the ‘community grapevine’), as well as beliefs and traditions throughout. The illustrations and pet facts are brilliant, and we especially love Pia’s lists: brilliant is the child who writes organised lists! This is set to be a fabulous new series that’s perfect for children in years 3 and 4.
My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle
(Floris Books, date 22nd May 2025)
This is an important, powerful story: it’s not biographical but it could be. Samim has been a refugee, moving and being moved on seemingly constantly, for 4 years. He started his treacherous journey as a nine-year-old boy and now, at 13, he’s entered adolescence. Nobody seems to have ensured his needs are met or his safety is protected though. Until, that is, it is realised that Samim has been incorrectly placed by the authorities. Finding a place in a small home, he works with a caseworker and a solicitor from the Home-Office and begins to tell his story.
His story is not glorified… it is a story of survival and a spirit that refuses to be broken. Samim experiences the very worst of humanity and through his recount – often taking him to the darkest of places – we learn of some of the horrors he has faced. Central to the plot is Zayn - Samim’s best friend. His witty ripostes, hilarious reactions and eyerolls, sighs and dramatic slumping add a lightness to the dark. The saddest thing however is that Zayn has died. He lives in Samim’s memory, as if an imaginary friend, yet one who was – and still is – very real.
This isn’t a redemption story as such: how can a young boy emotionally survive such trauma and suffering to the point of redemption? And we cannot ignore the perpetrators - of which there are many in Samim’s story - and the layer upon layer of cruelty inflicted. The legacy left by this and the refusal to acknowledge and honour another’s culture is surely at the root of so much global conflict. This is a hugely impactful read and a debut for author, Meikle, that would be perfect for children in the summer term of year 6, and for year readers in year 7 and beyond - especially if they have already studied books such as The Arrival by Shaun Tan and The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrel-Boyce.
Small, Sparkling Raindrop written by Mary Auld, illustrated by Lou Baker Smith
(Mama Makes Books, 1st May 2025)
Environmental heritage and how this influences culture is such a fascinating topic and is exactly what this gorgeous book explores. We follow a small sparkling raindrop falling from a cloud through its landing into a stream and all of the life forms it supports the existence of. We then travel along the Mekong River, meeting farmers of the Delta before flowing out to the sea. The droplet vaporises and becomes an ice crystal in a cloud ready to fall again in the incredible, unending water cycle.
Written in the first person in one, enlarged font with a second layer of more sophisticated captions for more experienced readers, this is a clever book. The illustrations are stunning, and it is replete with a raindrop shaped cut-out to the front and a giant foldout at the end of the book. This is the perfect addition to any non-fiction section of a class or school library, especially for schools that have mixed age classes as this book will easily suit a range of ages and experience-levels.
Posted in: Literature Review
