September 2024 Literature Review

Torla and Smorla and the Lower-than-Average Cloud by Kes Gray & Chris Jevon (Happy Yak, 11th July 2024)

Torla and Smorla are giraffes and the best of friends. They do everything together even though they may appear to be an unlikely pairing. Yes they’re both giraffes but Torla (as one might imagine) is a taller than average being and Smorla is a smaller-than-average giraffe. This tells the  gently meandering story of the pair on a walk where Torla must put complete trust in her friend to lead the way due to the lower-than-average cloud that has descended, rendering Torla completely unable to see. With fold-ups and fold-outs, crocodiles engaged in yoga and even a daring tightrope walk, Torla puts her complete trust in her friend and Smorla guides with confidence and complete trustworthiness. A delightful story of friendship and courage with lots of talking points around comparisons and helpfulness.

Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer (OUP Oxford, 6th June 2024)

Gordon the goose has earned the title of ‘Meanest Goose on Earth’ a mere 8 years in a row. He’s a fully paid-up member of The Meanest Goose Society where even the other geese, who are pretty mean, aren’t a patch on Gordon. He’ll knock peoples’ ice creams out of their hands; he’ll shout in peoples’ faces and serve up delicious-looking biscuits…that are actually just decorated stones.  He even writes to do lists of all the horrible things he plans to do of a day. He stops short at nothing; thriving on all that makes others, sad, scared and uncomfortable. But when one day bold little Anthony the Piglet gives Gordon a flower, it is the gift he absolutely did not want bestowed upon him! Will Gordon see that being horrendously mean actually isn’t doing him any good, let alone the people at the hands of his spite? A genius graphic novel that is actually about bravery and love, perfect for children in year 2 as an independent read.

Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold (Harper Collins Children’s Books, 26th September 2024)

We were privileged to hear Hannah talk about this deeply personal new novel earlier this summer when she joined us on our English Subject Leader session. Sumptuously illustrated by Levi Pinfold as with her previous novels, all of which have strong ecological messages (and one of which–Finding Bear–is currently being optioned as a film...), new territory is explored both by the characters within as well as the author’s choice of theme. Silver – named after the beautiful light ofthe moon – is experiencing family turmoil: her parents yearn for a second child but the IVF they’ve endured hasn’t worked and this has taken its toll on them all. The little nursery room in their house, beautifully decorated with animals lies empty and unused. So when Silver’s father is offered the opportunity to visit Costa Rica for an extended stay, taking his family with him, it might just be what they all need. The family are captivated by the scenery and Silver is at home with the lushness of the landscape, its trees and wildlife. But her mum’s sadness is visceral. Silver tries to understand what her mother is experiencing but cannot reconcile the grief her mum feels about a baby that does not exist with the fact that she herself is an actual, existing child. Then one night, under the cover of a fierce storm, a terrible crime iscommitted. Will Silver and her new friend be able to save the situation, restoring hope? And will her mother and the family unit find peace and allow their grief and longing to sit alongside them? Poignant and extremely brave, this explores an often overlooked – maybe even taboo – subject from both adult and child’s perspective. Important literature, filled with adventure and so powerfully uplifting. Perfect for children in Year 5 and 6.

Becoming Brave by Jennie Cashman Wilson, illustrated by Tomekah George  (Little Tiger, 4th July 2024).

Oh this is stunning. The concept is simple: ‘you can’t be brave without also being scared.’ In Malaysia, near the jungles, Jennie was an imaginative girl. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, lived Abram who ‘loved to play the trumpet’. But as with so many young people entering adolescence, the nagging question, ‘Am I good enough?’ was never far from Jennie’s thoughts. Her inner belief and peace shattered (depicted by colourful shards of glass in Tomekah’s evocative illustrations.) When Jennie and Abram meet, they fall in love instantly. Abram’s courage is infectious… then it all goes wrong. This is a true story, written by the very same Jennie. There is now a charity in Abram’s name, which you can read about in the author’s note. Poignant, authentic and perfect as a picture book for children in upper key stage 2 who may be facing their fears as they enter the tender tween years.