Picture Books for young children
The Lost Penguin
Written by Claire Freedman
Illustrated by Kate Hindley
Simon & Schuster
£6.99
ISBN: 978-1471117343
This is a densely illustrated, charming story featuring
Oliver and Ruby and their dog Patch. The three friends do everything together,
including going to the zoo. However, they discover that a little penguin has
gone missing and rush to tell their friend, a keeper called Sandy , who asks them to help find him.
Throughout their search, the little penguin is hidden on each page and fun to
find but, when they finally find him, Oliver and Ruby fall out over who will
look after him. The way in which they repair their friendship and make sure the
baby penguin is safe again provides a superb discussion point for children to
consider what it means to share and to put others first. The central message of
the book, which is that home is where your friends are, is echoed as the little
penguin finds himself the centre of much loving attention at the zoo and in
Ruby, Oliver and Patch’s unbreakable bond. This is a book full of warmth,
wisdom and beautiful drawings.
Julia Wills
The New Baby and Me!
Written by Christine Kidney
Illustrated by Hoda Haddadi
Tiny Owl £12.99
ISBN: 978-1910328187
As five siblings wait for the
new arrival of their baby brother, they imagine who he will take after. Will he
be adventurous, academic or artistic? Will he be a scientist, a pirate or an
artist? Only one thing is for certain - the boys are in for quite a surprise!
Beautifully illustrated with charming collage effects, The New Baby and Me! slots in comfortably with the rise of feminist
texts across all ages. Whilst simple in both narrative and design, this is a
delightfully undemanding story. With ideas for art and collage activities
included to help prepare for the happy event, this is a perfect gift for any
family expecting a new arrival.
Rebecca Watts
The First Egg Hunt
Written by Adam and Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Pippa Curnick
Egmont £6.99
ISBN: 978-1405286282
This zany picture book tells how Easter Bunny and Easter
Chick are both responsible for delivering Easter eggs to all the other animals.
But chick is tired of rabbit getting all the credit. He decides to show
everyone that he has a crucial role too and tries to give out all the eggs by
himself. Unfortunately, he can’t cope alone and in a disastrous accident he
loses all the eggs in the forest, thus inadvertently inventing the very first
Easter Egg Hunt! The animals are delighted and want a hunt every year in
future. Bold and colourful illustrations match the slapstick humour of the
plot, making for a very satisfying and fun-filled story. Children will love the
rhythm of the rhyming text as well as the cartoon style and brightly detailed
drawings. The simple animal faces are expressive and give plenty of scope for
talking through chick’s feelings as he struggles with his emotions. A great story for sharing with children.
Liz Dubber
The Carnivorous
Crocodile
Written by Jonnie
Wild
Illustrated by
Brita Granström
Otter-Barry £6.99
ISBN:
978-1910959916
How do you trick a
silly old croc when you are thirsty and he’s guarding a waterhole in the hot
sun? Perhaps, by telling him you are a beautiful pink flamingo that will give
him hiccups if he eats you. That’s what the animals in this quirky picture book
try after seeing how successful the flamingos are. The only problem is that
even the short-sighted crocodile can see that the elephants are grey and not
pink. The bright, colourful illustrations will have children laughing at the
expense of the greedy crocodile. Will he eventually realise that the waterhole
is for sharing? The author has been involved with forest conservation for
twenty years and royalties from the book will go to support The Udzungwa Forest
Project in Tanzania
protecting endangered African elephants and Colobus monkeys.
Richard Monte
Rainforest
Written and illustrated by Julia Groves
Child’s Play £6.99
ISBN: 978-1846439353
It is refreshing to come across a picture book that makes a
virtue of restraint. With her debut title, Julia Graves combines a spare,
poetic text with compositions that draw you in skilfully and satisfyingly. High
quality matt paper acts as the perfect medium for a succession of stunning
compositions, each testifying to an exceptional talent for printmaking. I
particularly liked the way none of the rainforest animals are named until the
end of the book, where they are introduced with detailed supporting notes.
Looking forward to seeing what this artist does next.
Tessa Strickland
The Very Long Sleep
Written and illustrated by Polly Noakes
Child’s Play £5.99
ISBN: 978-1786281289
Fox is pleased to move into a new home in the forest with his
three friends, but little does he realise that when the first frosts appear
Bear, Chipmunk and Marmot will all fall into a long, deep sleep. Fox is lonely
and bored without them. He tries to wake his friends, but they sleep on.
Packages arrive for the sleeping animals, but nothing arrives for Fox. Poor Fox
is even more bewildered. This charming tale of a friendship that survives not
only the winter but also the different life-styles of the various animals,
gently introduces very young readers to the importance of tolerance when we
encounter differences. The theme of hibernation is also interesting as this is
an intriguing part of the lives of many animals. The colours in the
illustrations beautifully show the changing of the seasons in the forest and
the cosiness of the home where the animals are sleeping.
Jan
Lennon
Charlie’s Magic
Carnival
Written and illustrated by Marit Törnqvist
Floris £10.99
ISBN: 978-1782504603
This is an exuberant picture book. Prize-winning Dutch
author/illustrator Marit Törnqvist has given her imagination free rein with this
succession of spectacular scenes. Charlie can’t wait to go to the carnival, but
first, his rather fraught Mum needs to find his balloon and his party hat.
Charlie can hardly contain himself. What if the town is full of elephants
instead of cars? What if there’s a cake as big as the town square? What if …?
What if …? Every page brims over with glorious colours and an ever-increasing
cast of characters. With six gatefolds in this hardback book, the effect is
dazzling.
Tessa Strickland
First Steps in reading for young children
Cake
Written by Sue Hendra
Illustrated by Paul Linnet
Macmillan £6.99
ISBN: 978-1509827435
The cover of this book is most attractive with silver
sparkles and glittering letters on a red background. Cake is excited about
being invited to a party because he has never been to one before. The reader
shares his anticipation as he tries out different outfits and takes pains to
find exactly the right hat. The party starts well, but events take a surprising
turn and Cake “gets a bad feeling”. There is much humour in the book and it is
a tribute to the glorious artwork that we feel the range of Cake’s emotions.
The story provides opportunities for discussion about a range of topics such as
anticipation, preparation, disappointment, misunderstandings and learning
experiences, but, first and foremost, the book is great fun.
Brenda Marshall
The Wardrobe Monster
Written and illustrated by Bryony Thomson
Old Barn £10.99
ISBN: 978-1910646366
Dora and her toys are very sleepy, but they really, really
don’t want to go to bed. The previous night they were kept awake by loud
banging sounds coming from inside the wardrobe. The noises start again as soon
as they get into bed, so Dora bravely decides to open the wardrobe door. Happily,
the huge monster that falls out isn’t scary at all, in fact he had been very
frightened by the noises he could hear outside the wardrobe, so they all become
friends and decide to be brave together. This debut story is absolutely
delightful. The illustrations perfectly complement the simple text as Dora and
her friends, the toys, have wonderfully expressive faces and body language.
Many children are scared of the dark and imagine there are monsters under the
bed or in the wardrobe, so this reassuring story with its assortment of
appealing characters may be just the book to banish bedtime fears.
Jan
Lennon
Come All You Little
Persons
Written by John Agard
Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Faber & Faber
£6.99
ISBN: 978-0571324163
Dedicated by John Agard to “the Mi’kmaq people, for whom
there is a gateway between this world and the spirit world”, this is a truly
magical book of poetry with exquisite illustrations. All little persons are
kindly coaxed to “Just follow your heart-song when next it calls.” They are reassured that “Planet Earth has
room for the footsteps of all.”, and also that all little persons “From above
earth, from above sky, from below earth, from under water,” are accepted,
recognised and welcomed to join the wondrous dance of life and love. A gently
beautiful, magical experience!
Gill Roberts
Titles for the young
child just beginning to Read Alone
Hari and His Electric
Feet 104 pages
Written by Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrated by Sam Usher
ISBN: 978-1781127551
Hari and His Electric
Feet whisks its readers into the life of twelve-year-old Hari, an Indian
boy who earns his keep as a delivery boy at a nearby restaurant. Hari also
makes irresistible sweets, which win him the affection of many locals. One day,
when he stumbles across a film crew, he also finds out that he can dance. Not
only that, he has a talent for inspiring others to dance with him, and this
unique gift takes Hari on a series of hugely entertaining adventures. With his
trademark wit, deft characterisation and consummate flair for storytelling,
Alexander McCall Smith has conjured up a story that will have young readers
tapping their feet and laughing aloud at Hari’s antics. Thoughtful page layouts
and cheerful illustrations help to make this an accessible offer for emergent
readers.
Tessa Strickland
The Sorry Tale of Fox
and Bear 72 pages
Written by Margrete Lamond
Illustrated by Heather Vallance
Old Barn £12.99
ISBN: 978-1910646434
This is a delightful story of trickery and friendship from Australia . Bear
recounts five tales of how his supposed best friend, Fox, manages to trick him
time and time again by stealing the fish he has just caught and pretending a
wasps’ nest is a bees’ nest full of honey. When Bear is encouraged by Hare and
Rooster to successfully get his own back on Fox he has mixed feelings and is
relieved when a remorseful Fox returns. The skilful, bold and atmospheric
charcoal illustrations add to this unusual, quirky, and occasionally dark,
tale.
Louise Stothard
Titles for young children
Reading Confidently
The Star Tree
Written and
illustrated by Catherine Hyde
Frances
Lincoln £7.99
ISBN:
978-1847806734
Catherine Hyde trained as a fine artist and has illustrated
highly acclaimed books by poet Carol Ann Duffy, Saviour Pirotta and Jackie
Morris. The Star Tree is itself a
work of art - its mysterious, dream-like, double-page spreads carrying the
story onward. It is Midsummer’s midnight as Mia makes her magical journey on
the Great White Owl’s back, Little Red Hare’s boat, Big White Bear’s balloon
and the Giant Stag’s shoulders to reach The Tree of Constellations. Here, she
picks one small star before flying homeward on the Great Goose’s shoulder. At
first, you may feel the illustrations outshine the text, but read it aloud and
the poetry reveals itself, like a long-told tale for bedtime. An unusual,
beautiful and memorable picture book for reading aloud and sharing, or for
confident young ones to read themselves. Warmly recommended.
Tina Massey
Detective Nosegoode
and the Museum Robbery
Written by Marian Ortoń
Illustrated by Jerzy Flisak
Translated by Eliza Marciniak
Pushkin £7.99
ISBN: 978-1782691594
This book contains three simple stories in one volume,
telling how Detective Nosegoode and his faithful dog Cody, analyse the evidence
and solve three mysterious crimes. Written in a gently humorous style, the
stories all take place in the town of Ashworth ,
and involve financial fraud, the theft of a painting, and pick-pocketing.
Detective Nosegoode has a relaxed, yet analytical, approach and uses his
observation of the available evidence to draw conclusions and identify the
guilty party in each case. The language is simple but never dull. The names of
the characters are funny and will amuse young readers, and they will probably
enjoy, even more, the chance to unravel the evidence with the detective, or
even to go back after the crime is solved and re-read the story to identify the
evidence that he was able to spot. The stories are short and illustrated with
funny line drawings that add to the humour.
Recommended for budding detective story fans!
Liz Dubber
Ask Oscar
Written by Alan MacDonald
Illustrated by Sarah Horne
Egmont £5.99
ISBN: 978-1405287227
Sam has wanted a dog for ages, but his parents have always
said it isn’t “practical”, especially as money is tight. Dad’s crazy inventions
don’t always work and certainly don’t sell. So, when a dog arrives on the
doorstep, Sam thinks his dreams have come true. And this dog, called Oscar,
shows no sign of leaving. He also has a rather amazing secret, which certainly
proves to be useful when the town’s dogs are under threat from the mayor who is
determined to clean up the town before a visit from the Queen. With the help of
Dad’s latest machine, can Oscar and Sam save the day? The first in a new
series, this is a humorous and engaging tale, ideal for newly confident
readers. The quirky black and white illustrations add to the fun.
Jayne Gould
The Travels of
Ermine: Trouble in New York
Written by Jennifer Gray
Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Usborne £5.99
ISBN: 978-1474927253
Ermine is a charming, well-mannered and very determined
young stoat who is travelling the world with a scrapbook to fill - first stop, New York . Her
benefactor, a well-connected grand duchess, has arranged for her to stay with
the fabulously wealthy Michael S. Megabucks and his young son. Little does
Ermine know that a suitcase switch at the airport has made her a target for
robbers. The scene is set for an entertaining mayhem of botched attempts at
dastardly deeds by the bumbling robbers and near-catastrophes accidentally
averted by Ermine. The black and white comic-book illustrations suit the text
well and there is more information about Ermine’s travels and a scrapbook
activity at the back of the book. Where will she travel to next?
Yvonne Coppard
Thimble Holiday Havoc
Written by Jon Blake
Illustrated by Martin Chatterton
Firefly £5.99
ISBN: 978-1910080665
Another story about Jams, his mum, his dad, and his best
friend, who just happens to be a monkey called Thimble. Thimble seems to
attract all sorts of trouble, creating hilarious situations for the family,
particularly for Jams’ dad who is somewhat less than enamoured and tolerant of
Thimble’s behaviour. In this story, the family do a holiday house swap with a
family in France .
They find themselves staying in a very swanky house and Jams’ mum is looking
forward to a week of sun, sand and relaxation. However, the discovery by Jam of
a speedboat, a drill, some dynamite and a burglar outfit leads to a whole heap
of trouble. Written in short episodic chapters full of the off-the-wall, wacky
humour that children just love. Witty one liners, plays on words, cringeworthy
incidents, ludicrous situations and comical misunderstanding will have readers
laughing out loud at the silliness of it all. Family relationships and dynamics
are well-drawn, with characters having the very human foibles that can be found
in many families. The earlier title in the series, Thimble Monkey Superstar, which was shortlisted for the 2017 Laugh
Out Loud Award, explains that Jams is disabled with cerebral palsy. This, the
second title in the series, is sure to be as popular as the first.
Annie Everall
Bee Boy: Clash of the
Killer Queens
Written and illustrated by Tony De Saulles
OUP £6.99
ISBN: 978-0192763877
Melvin Meadly keeps a beehive on the roof of the tower block
where he lives with his mum. He is having a hard time at school, with the
school bully and some of his classmates thinking it is fun to taunt him with
chants of “Bee Boy” once they find out he keeps bees. However, one day, he
discovers he has the power to become a bee and finds himself defending his
hive. Will his hive survive; will he be able to stand up to the bully and will
he be able to go on living both as a boy and a bee? Whoever would have thought
that a book that gives so much factual information about bees and their
lifestyle could be wrapped up so successfully in a story that children will
enjoy and want to read. The story is clever and witty, the language is
accessible and the characters feel very real, reflecting people within the
communities that we know. Children will love the humour and the comic style of
illustrations which are all drawn in the colour of the bee - black and yellow.
This is the first in the series. The second title Bee Boy: Attack of the Zombees is due to be published in August.
Annie Everall
Iguana Boy Saves the
World with a Triple Cheese Pizza
Written by James Bishop
Illustrated by Rikin Parekh
Hodder £6.99
ISBN: 978-1444939347
Nine-year-old Dylan Spencer desperately wants to be a superhero
with a cool superpower. His brother can control the weather and his sister has
laser eyes and can roast a chicken in thirty seconds. Dylan is the butt of his
siblings jokes and is endlessly teased for having no superpower. Then, one day,
he discovers he has got a superpower – he can speak to, and hear, his brother’s
iguana and then learns to speak to all iguanas. When the evil super villain, Platypus
Kid, has a deadly fiendish plan to rule the world by neutralising all the superheroes,
it is up to Iguana Boy, his team of iguanas and a triple cheese pizza to find a
way to save the world. A hilarious first title in a new series that children
are just going to love. Fast paces, witty one liners, recurring jokes about
cats stuck in trees and whether superheroes will save them or not and a
glorious collection of human and superhero characters make this a delight to
read. Full of the off the wall humour that always appeals to children. Rikin
Parekh’s small cartoon-style illustrations and double-page comic strips work
brilliantly and add a richness and humour to Jason Bishop’s text. The second
book in the series will be published in September.
Annie Everall
Titles for readers Moving On from Primary to High School
The Rainmaker Danced
Written by John Agard
Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
Hodder £6.99
ISBN: 978-1444932607
A new collection of poetry from multi-award-winning and
well-loved poet, John Agard, is always something to savour and this one doesn’t
disappoint. Forty-one poems explore a range of themes from science and nature
to identity and conflict. As with all of John Agard’s poetry, some challenge
the reader to think and others make the reader laugh out loud. These poems are full
of lyrical language, word play and word trickery that children will really
enjoy. Satoshi Kitamura’s illustrations perfectly and cleverly support the
poetic text.
Annie Everall
Secret of the Stones
Written by Tony Bradman
ISBN: 978-1781127544
With the dyslexia friendly format and content that we would
expect from this publisher, Secret of the
Stones offers a story of bloodshed and revenge tempered with the kindness
of strangers. Set during the transition from Stone Age to Bronze Age, Maglos
lives with his father, a High Chief, at Stonehenge .
Unexpectedly, when the annual midsummer blood sacrifice is about to take place,
Maglos’ uncle steps forward, kills Maglos’ father and takes power for himself.
Maglos is rescued by strangers, who he discovers are metal workers. Travelling
with them for some years he learns their trade and is cared for by two
brothers, but never loses his desire to depose his uncle. In time, he returns
home and, perhaps because of the kindness shown to him, shows mercy, exiling
his uncle rather than killing him as planned. The historical period is brought
alive by details of hunting, ceremonies and the magic of metal work, completely
new to this Stone Age boy. However, the historical information never gets in the
way of the action moving forward. Suitable both for reluctant readers and those
wanting a fully rounded story delivered in a short format.
Annalise Taylor
Defenders: Pitch
Invasion
Written by Tom Palmer
Illustrated by David Shephard
ISBN: 978-1781127315
Tom Palmer has an excellent reputation for producing writing
that stimulates reluctant readers and this book, the final volume in the Defenders trilogy, does not disappoint.
The two previous titles are Dark Arena
and Killing Ground. The defenders are
Seth and his friend, Nadiya. Seth is in Cornwall ,
where he is haunted by severed heads at the entrance to an Iron Age hill-fort,
whilst Nadiya says ancient people put the heads there to scare away strangers.
He worries about his mother who is hoping for the ‘all clear’ after cancer
treatment. He meets two football mad brothers from Aleppo who are refugees and hears their
story. The Iron Age and present day collide and Seth acts courageously to
defend oppressed people. The layout,
language, short paragraphs, typeface and fast-paced plot make the story
appealing. There is an interesting
mix of history, the present day, horror, ghosts, football, refugees, bravery,
empathy and compassion. Highly recommended. Check out the accompanying writing
tips, posters and colouring sheets available on Tom’s website - http://tompalmer.co.uk/defenders/pitch-invasion
Brenda Marshall
The Ice Sea
Written by Frida Nilsson
Translated by Peter Graves
Gecko £6.99
ISBN: 978-1776571451
When her sister is kidnapped by pirates and taken to work in
Captain Whitehead's mines, Siri braves everything to go and rescue her. Leaving
her father behind, she sets off, facing many perils and making many friends
along the way. This is a story about the worst and best of human nature. At
times the cruelties of others and their attempts to justify their actions make
for uncomfortable reading, but Siri's optimism and determination to succeed in
her quest shine through. Her desire to put right the wrong she feels she has
done compels her to valiantly pursue her quest to its conclusion, offering much
to discuss. The substantial story is full of interesting and diverse characters
and there are many beautiful, descriptive passages making this a rich,
compelling read for those looking for a satisfying challenge.
Sue Wilsher
Ruby McCracken: Tragic Without Magic
Written by Elizabeth Ezra
Kelpies £6.99
ISBN: 978-1782504467
Hopefully, this is the first of many books featuring the
pre-teen witch. Ruby loves her witchy life in Hexadonia, playing in the school
cockroach team and eating such delicious snacks as dried wasps and candied gnats, but then
her life falls apart. Her parents move the family to the Ordinary World, where
Ruby has no friends and even worse, no magic. Ruby is picked on by the popular girls, struggles at her new
school, and has trouble getting used to the boring ord food, but then it seems she is given the opportunity to get
back her magic. Ruby’s debut adventure is a fun book with laugh-out-loud
moments. At the same time though, the tale is written with real understanding
of everyday issues facing children, who can empathise with Ruby feeling lost in
her new school, missing her friends and longing to be back in her old life.
Ruby tells her own story and her dry humour will instantly endear her to
readers. This 2016 Kelpie’s prize-winner is a real magical book.
Jane Hall
The Cloak of Feathers
Written by Nigel
Quinlan
Orion £6.99
ISBN: 978-1444014181
Brian Nolan lives in
Knockmealldown, on a cheap housing estate built beside a polluted lake whose
stench would indeed threaten to knock you down. Every hundred years, this small
town celebrates the Great Festival to which the fairies, called Good Folk, are
invited. But, this year, they are furious at the desecration of their lake. Brian’s parents are held by
a cruel spell and the whole town is threatened by a cursed, choking,
fast-growing weed which resist all attempts to destroy it. Brian, together with
his friends Helen and Derek, must use all their courage, cunning and sense of
humour to rescue the Folk Princess and defeat her evil captor. The game in
question is the legendary Irish hurling, a kind of earthbound Quidditch, and
what a fast moving, murderous contest it proves. Will the skill, nerve and
quick wits, tested on both sides, restore the centuries old harmony? A most
unusual combination of matter-of-fact-style woven in with Irish myth and
legend, a very modern concern for our environment and three heroes who are very
ordinary, bored local children without much money or entertainment. Fast
moving, funny and very entertaining.
Tina Massey
Make Me Awesome!
Written by Ben Davis
Illustrated by Mike Lowery
OUP £6.99
ISBN: 978-0192747969
This story is all about Freddie’s pathetically painstaking
pursuit of awesomeness as he strives
relentlessly to support his family who are about to be made homeless. Also,
hilarious and hugely entertaining in respect of Chuck’s awesome ego, baloney and bravado, “My
name is Chuck Willard and I can make you AWESOME, just like me!” Freddie desperately
wants to go from zero to hero and so he joins Chuck’s Make Me Awesome online programme. He then embarks on various
schemes to make himself awesome,
thinking he is safe in the knowledge that Chuck is always there, giving him
plenty of personal help. However, it is Nilesh who is the voice of
reason and, together with Freddie’s father, they both come up trumps and are
Freddie’s ultimately best role models of steadfast awesomeness after all. Heavy
Metal Steve, super dogs Mittens and Keith, The Losers’ Club and even the Headteacher,
all help in making this a fun, reassuring and heart-warming tale. Classic Ben Davis!
Gill Roberts
The Children of
Castle Rock
Written by Natasha Farrant
Faber & Faber
£6.99
ISBN: 978-0571323562
Louise Stothard
Hounds
and Hauntings 248 pages 8-12 years
Written
by Janine Beacham
Little,
Brown £6.99
ISBN:
978-1510201323
This
is the third title in which Rose Raventhorpe and her fellow secret guardians of
the city of Yorke
Jan Lennon
Titles for Young Teenage Readers
My Side of the
Diamond
Written by Sally Gardner
Hot Key £9.99
ISBN: 978-1471406430
Narrated from multiple perspectives, My Side of the Diamond is told in flashback as our characters
recall different facets of a story that slowly reveals itself throughout the course
of the book. At its core are aliens who have been sent to earth to learn about
love and how, in many ways, that mission goes awry However, the science fiction
element is not overbearing, and, in many ways, this is more a story about
relationships of all kinds – from friendships across the class divide to more
intimate connections. Jazmin Little, our main narrator, struggles to trust
others or believe in her own worth, but as she faces a series of terrifying
events with her privileged friend Becky and Becky’s half-brother, Alex, she
opens up and begins to value both others and herself. Jazmin’s voice is
authentic and reflective as she examines her motives for events that happened
many years earlier. With pencil illustrations scattered throughout, engaging
narrators and constant action, this novel is a good recommendation for the less
keen reader. The plot is difficult to recount but keeps the reader intrigued
throughout.
Annalise Taylor
Outwalkers
Written by Fiona Shaw
David Fickling £10.99
ISBN: 978-1788450003
Outwalkers is the
first YA novel from Fiona Shaw, and what a debut it is. Set in a dystopian
future, newly orphaned Jake is on the run from his Home Academy Scotland , the
other side of the heavily guarded New Wall, in search of a better and freer
life. Outwalkers is a thrilling,
timely and often disturbing novel. Fiona Shaw’s vision of this future England under
an all-controlling government is powerful and evocative. She does not shy away
from the horrors that such a world would bring. The characterisation is strong,
with the protagonists on both sides dedicated to their chosen path. Jake
especially is believable and sympathetic and his relationship with Jet is
intensely moving. The plot is tense and gripping, having readers on the edge of
their seats to the very end.
Jane Hall
Titles for More Mature Young Adults
No Shame
Written by Anne Cassidy
Hot Key £7.99
ISBN: 978-1471406782
Seventeen-year-old Stacey Woods was raped, and so she
decided to prosecute her rapist. She is now Girl X, having to deal with the
ordeal of a trial and trying to avoid being outed
so that the rest of her school don’t find out what happened to her. This
becomes more difficult when the media picks up on the fact that the flat in
which she was raped belongs to a relative of a Cabinet Minister. This is the
sequel to No Virgin which tells the
story from the rapist perspective. In No
Shame, the story continues from Stacey’s perspective, telling the story of
her decision to prosecute, the legal processes, the trial and its impact on the
victim and her family. An extremely hard-hitting novel but without being
gratuitous or sensational, which, because of its subject matter, is definitely
aimed at older teenagers. The characters are well drawn, the tension of the
trial, the possible outcomes and the impact of it on Stacey’s life and future
is so powerfully written. It takes the reader through a gamut of emotions and
feelings – despair, anxiety and anger at a system that can treat rape victims
in this way. Sensitively handled, it is a book that doesn’t pull any punches,
raises many questions, is raw, painfully honest and offer opportunities for
discussion. Both No Shame and No Virgin deal with a subject matter
that is often shied away from, but, given all the sexual abuse issues that have
been arising in recent times, these are both extremely important books.
Annie Everall
Information
Titles
Meet the Ancient
Egyptians
Written and illustrated by James Davies
Big Picture £9.99
ISBN: 978-1787410367
With a bright and cheery cover, this book is just the right
size for younger hands. The pages are attractively laid out, with text
presented in the form of labels, speech bubbles, and short paragraphs
complemented by cartoon-style, colour illustrations, making it very accessible
for the younger reader. There is thorough coverage of all aspects of daily life
and death in ancient Egypt ,
with chapters including food and drink, medicine, the afterlife and
mummification. The latter chapters cover the work of archaeologists including
Howard Carter, and there is brief coverage of the demise of Ancient Egypt and
information about modern-day Egypt .
An attractive and accessible book for younger readers on this popular and
fascinating topic. Meet the Ancient
Romans is also available, and equally fascinating. (6+)
Lucy Russell
Destination:
Planet Earth
Written by Jo
Nelson
Illustrated by Tom
Clohosy Cole
Wide Eyed £12.99
ISBN:
978-1786030610
Take a trip around Planet Earth in this full colour guide to
one of the solar system's most amazing destinations. Fly to the poles, and the
equator, explore the atmosphere and find out how weather influences climate,
find out how ecosystems and biomes work, sail over rivers and seas, discover
how mountains and volcanoes are formed. This fact-filled travelogue even shows
you how Earth’s most notorious inhabitants are polluting the planet and what
they now intend to do about it. An informative read which will introduce young
readers to a host of geographical and geological issues. Complete with a
double-sided poster which will look good on any child’s bedroom wall. (7+)
Richard Monte
How to Grow and Eat Monster Vegetables
Written and illustrated by M. P. Robertson
from you to me
£12.99
ISBN: 978-1907860027
What an inventive and comical book. The pen and ink and
watercolour drawings are gorgeous, and there are jokes and wit aplenty. I loved
the creativity of this book, from the Grumpkin Patch to the Turn ‘N’ Nips - not
to mention the Sluggapotamus. There are visual jokes and lots of word play
together with recipes that luckily swap ingredients, such as dragon’s eggs, for
more available ones like chicken’s eggs. This book is a great deal of fun and
absolutely brims with fun and the fantastical. A delight! At the same time,
carrying the important message that vegetables and fun to grow and delicious to
eat. (8+)
Julia Wills
The Story of Life: A
First Book of Evolution
Written by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams
Illustrated by Amy Husband
Frances Lincoln
£6.99
ISBN: 978-1786033420
Catherine Barr and Steve Williams’ lively book takes us from
oceans of lava and meteoroid showers to the present day. It considers the
impact of humans on our planet, Earth, warning that, “with or without us, our
planet will spin through space for billions of years to come”. Amy Husband’s
entertaining illustrations illuminate the well-trodden path from first cells and
dinosaurs, through mass extinction and the rise of the mammals, to the
emergence of the hairy, child-bearing bipeds that currently dominate the world.
Having been carefully researched, this account of the development of life on
Earth is very accessible and easy to follow. I was delighted to find out that
magnolias were blossoming in meadows alongside the dinosaurs. (8+)
Paul Dowswell
Tallest Tower, Smallest Star
Written by Kate Baker
Illustrated by Page Tsou
Big Picture £14.99
ISBN: 978-1783708451
Subtitled A Pictorial
Compendium of Comparisons, this is a beautiful book! The Victorian-style
illustrations and muted colour palette used are the first things that seize
your attention, closely followed by the sort of comparisons - biggest,
smallest, fastest, strongest - between creatures and places that is guaranteed
to delight children, and adults too! Can you imagine a shark that was thirteen metres
long or a snake that could swallow a crocodile whole? Or the fastest non-space
aircraft of all time that whizzes along at 7,270 kph? Every page of this book
is filled with magic, with startling facts and amazing discoveries. A book to
spend hours poring over, whatever your age. Thoroughly recommended. (9+)
Julia Wills
50 Things You Should
Know About Vikings
Written by Philip Parker
Quarto £9.99
ISBN: 978-1682971956
Only 50? There are hundreds
of things to know about the Vikings in this excellent introduction. Absolutely
jammed with information, illustrations and photographs this late-primary/early
secondary primer takes us through three centuries, from the first Viking raids
on Lindisfarne to the age of Erik Evergood and Magnus Barelegs. A final section
looks at the Viking contribution to European culture, from everyday English
words like bread and eggs, to the Nazis’ sinister glorification of the Nordic
warrior. Look out for other titles in this very extensive series including Football, Wild Weather, The Human Body,
Inventions, The Environment, Prehistoric Britain, Music, The Tudors, The Second
World War. (9+)
Paul Dowswell
Habitats
Written by Jon Richards and Ed Simkins
Wayland £12.99
ISBN: 978-1526303554
Part of the Science in infographics series, this book is very visual and
informative, full of facts presented in an interesting way. Using icons,
graphics and pictograms, infographics visualises information in a whole new
way. Marvel at the creatures that live in the
depth of the deepest oceans, read about our huge grasslands, and discover how
living things survive. Colourful illustrations and bold text make this a
worthwhile information book. There are several books in this series, including Light and Sound, Forces, and Living Things, all presented in the
same format, and they would make a valuable addition for any school library or
interested reader. (10+)
Ingrid
Fox
A Muslim Life
Written by Cath Senker
Franklin Watts
£12.99
ISBN: 978-1445157993
An introduction and overview of the basic beliefs and
practices of Islam, with full colour pictures of different cultural and social
contexts around the world. It may attract some criticism for showing an
idealised Muslim life – no mention of extremism, no attempt to comment on what
children may be picking up from the News. But all religions are a set of
aspirations rather than certainties, and, like all ideals, they are open to
misinterpretation and corruption. I hope this book will be celebrated in homes
and schools for showing the faith that is lived so positively by the majority
of its followers. It may help parents and teachers to discuss the use and abuse
of faith and to combat the fear and prejudice that many children are imbibing
from the media and their community. Part of the Following a Faith series, which includes titles relating to other
faith lives such as being a Christian, a Hindu, or a Jew. (10+)
Yvonne Coppard
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