Posted on: 24/10/2020
Themes of heroism often feature in children’s literature. But what of the everyday hero? What about the sort of character - often the underdog – who has such a strong sense of self and self-belief that they recognise that they themselves have super-human strength of mind that can take them, and others, through unimaginable situations? Earlier this term we were delighted to explore Nadia Shireen’s Billy and the Beast as part of our Teach Through a Text training with our 2020-2021 cohort of Year 1 teachers. The story’s main character is hailed as ‘a hero of our time’ where her quick-thinking, quick-witted ingenuity sees her stashing all sorts in her fabulous hair…these all sorts proving to be the very props used to rescue her friends from the Terrible Beast. The glorious book is as much about forest-dwelling talking animals, a plucky protagonist and defeating dangerous beasts as it is identity. Indeed, in a podcast interview last month, professional basketball player and published author Ovie Soko spoke of his belief that our differences are our superpowers. And we think this is an important teaching: that of self-belief being an essential attribute in order that children grow into resilient and empowered - yet kind - adults. This month we have been spoilt for choice with new children’s literature that very much reflects themes of heroism, identity and the assertion that our differences can be seen as our superpowers.
(Harper Collins Children’s Books, 6th October 2020)
This, the sequel to Here We Are (the beautiful book Jeffers wrote following the birth of his son Harland), is dedicated to the author’s daughter, Mari. It’s such a glorious outpouring of the love that a father has for his daughter. The symbolic and metaphorical elements of this book are simply beautiful: I’ll build your future and you’ll build mine... We’ll put these favourite things beside the earlier love we set aside. I think that we may want them later, when times are hard and needs are greater.
As an author and illustrator, Jeffers writes about a sense of self, belonging and identity in all of his work. Perfect for any age group and we feel would work well as a whole school text.
(Hodder Children’s Books 1st October 2020)
Zara tends the most beautiful garden in the city. The city is at war. Bombs are falling; buildings are being destroyed yet Zara continues to tend to her garden, growing pear and fig trees; providing the residents of the city with beautiful surroundings, a safe place to play. Then one day everyone must hide inside. It is too dangerous to be outside anymore. People begin to leave the city and lost and abandoned remains the garden. Things look bleak but within the walls of that garden, remains hope: hope of rebirth, and regrowth. Zara is undoubtedly a hero in the eyes of her fellow citizens. Beautifully told and sympathetically illustrated, this is an important look at the effects of war that would be suitable for younger children given its clear message around resilience and not allowing a difficult situation to block out the light that we all need to thrive: the light of hope.
(Walker Books, 1st October 2020)
Just as when we first met Julian in Julian is a Mermaid, there’s no mistaking the joy and playfulness surrounding the characters in this sequel. And there’s no mistaking the themes of identity, either. Julian and Marisol are to be in a wedding. They are ever so smartly dressed: Marisol scattering delicate rose petals; Julian responsible for Gloria, the brides’ dog. But, as young children often do, they become bored and run off to play. Marisol falls and gets her dress muddy but Julian has a brilliant idea… With such glorious illustration and perfect text (‘A wedding is a party for love’) by author and artist Jessica Love, it’s hard not to love this book. This book would work well for children in Reception and Year 1 and will engender discussion about friendship, love, being who you are and – of course – fancy dress!
(Hamish Hamilton, 1st October 2020)
This latest offering, a collaboration of duo Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris, is every bit as exquisite – perhaps even more so – than their book, The Lost Words. Page upon page of the most sumptuous artwork, depicting the wildlife of Britain, accompany the most delightful, moving, and often profound spells, blessings and lullabies. If you are looking for a text to support vocabulary development, to engage children in exploration of poetry, wildlife and art, then this would be the perfect addition to your school library and all class reading areas. And in terms of differences and individuality, each creature is depicted as being so proud and majestic that we can’t help wonder what we might learn from the animal kingdom.
(Penguin Books, 15th October 2020)
Although Pullman‘s first book from the work - Northern Lights- was published in 1995, the storyline and characterisation still feels every bit as relevant today as it did then. Indeed, if you read the author’s note at the end of the book, we hear how Serpentine was written for auction, the manuscript being given to the highest bidder. This was in 2004 for a fundraising gala at The National Theatre (who staged the two plays of the entire His Dark Materials story scripted by Nicholas Wright, which some of us at The Literacy Tree were fortunate enough to see.)
Strength of mind and a sense of identity abound in all of His Dark Materials. This illustrated novella - a companion book taking us right back to a character who almost feels like a friend: newly re-named Lyra Silvertongue. And the concept of identity is an interesting one to explore through this book, given that we are provided with such insight into the inner workings of Lyra’s – and others’ – minds through their daemons. We find out what has happened to Lyra since the last instalment of His Dark Materials and this short story precedes the second trilogy, The Book of Dust - the story of Lyra as an adult. To accompany the illustrated novella is timeless artwork by Tom Duxbury in black-and-white and an audio version of the book is available on Audible, narrated by the brilliant Olivia Coleman. A fantastic addition to the collection on Lyra’s world and would make a great gift for any fan of the works.
(Orion Children’s Books, 15th October 2020)
This new book by acclaimed children’s author and director of two NGOs, is both confronting and raw. The author cleverly subverts the familiar trope that is the character that we might empathise and sympathise with. Instead, Hector is angry, horribly unkind and prejudiced too. What is also confronting is the fact that this anger and dreadful behaviour stems not from familial neglect in the traditional sense. Indeed, Hector appears to want for nothing and his siblings seem to fare well enough. However, the deep-seated fear that Hector isn’t good enough for his parents is clearly the root cause of his poor behaviour. Given that his parents often cut short business trips and cancel work commitments in response to incidents that their son has been involved in, Hector gets the attention he so craves. As the school bully in his gang of three with Katie and Will, he targets an elderly homeless man to prove a point. Except the prank backfires. Of course it does! And so begins a journey of self-discovery – steeped in self- loathing – where perhaps for the first time ever, Hector’s conscience has actually been pricked. Knowing that there is a thief at large, seemingly a thief from the homeless community, Hector gets it terribly wrong when he witnesses yet another famous statue being stolen in more or less plain sight at night-time. But if the perpetrator isn’t a man called Thomas, who Hector has led the police to believe it is, then who is the actual thief? And will Hector be the one to solve the crime and in doing so, perhaps start to atone for his misdemeanours? The perfect novel for ages nine and up and would work well as a read aloud text.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, 1st October 2020)
In his introduction, award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga writes, This is the book I wish I had been given to read when I was at school. I have written it so that the history of Black people in Britain can be read by everybody, and not just grown-ups. This book is an introduction. It is a place to start learning about black British history and it will introduce you to some of the thousands of Black people who made their homes in Britain in past centuries.
The true stories of both enslaved Black people living in Britain and free Black people, from 27BC to The Tudors, Stuarts, early Georgians, Victorians, both world wars and up to the present day are told. What’s so special about this book is that it’s extremely accessible with an array of maps, drawings, paintings and photographs that bring such huge lessons from history to life. Factually written, much of the content represents untold stories of identity, repression, and enslavement but also people – both Black and white – making a stand. Crucially, many an uncomfortable truth is acknowledged, including the oft-celebrated story of the Windrush. Represented in model form as part of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, the subsequent uncovering of the so-called Windrush scandal, exposed by the Guardian newspaper in 2018 called for the re-writing of this particular part of Black history. The book concludes with the story of earlier this year, of the toppling of a statue of 17th-century slave trader, Edward Colston in Bristol following the devastating, senseless murder in New York of George Floyd. We urge all schools to purchase copies of this book, where 50p of from the sale of each copy sold will be donated by the publisher - MacMillan Children’s Books - to recently established social enterprise, The Black Curriculum.
Posted in: Literature Review
