A heartfelt exploration of climate anxiety through the lens of ten-year-old Florent. The story opens with Florent overhearing his mothers discussing wA heartfelt exploration of climate anxiety through the lens of ten-year-old Florent. The story opens with Florent overhearing his mothers discussing whether bringing another child into a world facing environmental collapse is a responsible choice. This sparks a spiral of fear and guilt within him, as he begins to wonder if he and other children are part of the problem. The narrative vividly portrays his mounting anxiety, culminating in a series of nightmares where the planet is destroyed, and his parents leave him behind.
The book deftly tackles these heavy themes, providing a sensitive space for young readers to process their own climate-related fears. Florent’s emotional journey leads to a compassionate family discussion, reminding him that his life brings joy and meaning, and that hope can still be found, even in challenging times. The illustrations beautifully complement the narrative with soft tones and borders of wildflowers, symbolising nature’s fragile beauty....more
A gripping dystopian thriller set in a future where the Earth's atmosphere has been toxically polluted by a deadly mist known as the Reek. In this dirA gripping dystopian thriller set in a future where the Earth's atmosphere has been toxically polluted by a deadly mist known as the Reek. In this dire world, only tech billionaire Axel Brodie has the means to produce clean air, making oxygen a precious commodity that must be purchased.
The story centres on Sparrow, a determined young girl living in Reek-swamped Edinburgh. Sparrow works tirelessly to support her family, delivering packages while navigating the perils of a society suffocated by pollution. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her friend, inventor Miriam Fenn, discovers a revolutionary way to produce clean air independently of Brodie's monopoly. This discovery puts them both in grave danger as powerful forces seek to maintain control over the vital resource.
Reek combines thrilling action with a poignant exploration of environmental issues and corporate greed. The narrative is fast-paced and filled with suspense: a little is packed into such a short story. Caltsoudas's illustrations vividly bring the dystopian world to life. The book not only entertains but provokes thought about our current environmental challenges and the consequences of unchecked corporate power....more
A captivating and enchanting book that takes readers on a magical journey through interlinked stories about the wisdom and wonder of trees.
The story A captivating and enchanting book that takes readers on a magical journey through interlinked stories about the wisdom and wonder of trees.
The story revolves around Olive, an introverted eleven-year-old girl who finds solace in conversing with trees, particularly her beloved four-hundred-year-old oak tree. When Olive learns that her father plans to destroy the parkland trees, she sets out on a quest to save them. Given seven hours to come up with a compelling reason, Olive embarks on a series of magical adventures into the world of trees, where she learns about their historical significance and ecological importance.
Each hour brings Olive to a different tree. Through these encounters, Olive discovers the secrets and tales woven into the lives of these arboreal beings. Each story is deftly imagined and intricately linked, immersing readers in a world where mermaids, storytellers, musicians, and runaway apple blossom brides abound.
Farrant skillfully weaves a conservation message throughout the book, highlighting the importance of trees in our lives. Alongside the magical narratives, readers will find fascinating facts and information about tree science, making this a rich and educational experience. Corry's vivid and colourful illustrations complement the text perfectly, bringing the lush world of trees to life on every page. It's clear that a lot has been invested in the production of this text. Although I felt that some stories were stronger than others, there are many children that will want to spend time in Olive's garden. ...more
Illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld and adapted by Mariah Marsden, offers a sweet, visual rendition of Burnett's children's book. With its faithful adherIllustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld and adapted by Mariah Marsden, offers a sweet, visual rendition of Burnett's children's book. With its faithful adherence to the original plot, this graphic novel proves to be a charming addition to the classic tale.
Luechtefeld's artwork is enchanting, drawing readers into the story with her whimsical style and generous use of colour. In the beginning, when Mary is introduced, subdued and gloomy colours reflect her sombre state. However, as she discovers the key to the secret garden, the colours brighten, mirroring her growth and sense of wonder.
Marsden's adaptation maintains the essence of Burnett's narrative, as it follows young Mary's journey from a troubled past to a transformative present. Although Marsden omits certain details such as Mary's colonialist background and her parents' deaths, she explains these choices in a concluding note, emphasizing the intention to address historical contexts responsibly.
Overall, it serves as a fine introduction for young readers to the novel and makes it more accessible to younger readers. Y2+ ...more
In a time when we are witnessing funding for the arts being constricted, it is good to know that literature for children will always be there to proviIn a time when we are witnessing funding for the arts being constricted, it is good to know that literature for children will always be there to provide that rich connection. A dedication from Lavallee ‘To Terry and Fred, with love – for showing me there is wonder in all places if you only remember to look’ provides an insight into the main theme of this rhyming picture book.
Personified through a weaving of shades of green with rounded, rolling, grassy hair, Nature leads a small group of children of different skin colours from the title page into a richly-coloured landscape of rivers, mountains, forests and an underground cross-section. As Nature displays and plays with its creations so the children find themselves inspired to create too. This structure of Nature encouraging and modelling followed by a spread of a child creating something of their own based upon this inspiration continues throughout. When Nature shows a landscape rich in colours, the following spread shows a young child finger-painting and thumb-printing with the same colours. Another spread displays Nature playing with ‘a fine collage’ of leaves and the following shows a different child cutting out and making shapes inspired by the display.
This pattern repeats throughout with Nature modelling and revealing the secrets within the landscape: a muse for the children. When, at nighttime, they finally arrive in their treehouse home all their creations can be seen on display above the mantlepiece: a nice touch. I especially liked Nature revealing the ‘fossilised impressions hidden underground’. The spread displayed beetles, seeds and shells hidden within soily depths whilst the following spread showed a child using same-shaped painted stamps to pattern some squared: a gentle invitation to use the natural resources that can lie at your feet.
This is a lovely book to share and I hope it inspires families and educators to try these ideas and thoughts with young children too. I would have liked to see, at the back of the book, some instructions on how the adult and child could make the same art as the children did throughout the book. Whatever the case, I have no doubt it will encourage young readers to see that they can all play at creating their own art....more
Surrounded by toys, art supplies, and feeling restless, a child's day takes an unexpected turn when a friendly magpie taps at the window. This encountSurrounded by toys, art supplies, and feeling restless, a child's day takes an unexpected turn when a friendly magpie taps at the window. This encounter sparks a thrilling naming game, where the child names the magpie the Diamond Dodger and the nearby tree, the Emerald Queen. With the child's newfound enthusiasm for noting and naming the wild, we begin our exploration of the outdoors.
As the child continues to explore the neighbourhood with a grown-up, the game persists, with everything and everyone deserving their name. Laird's spirited and playful text, paired with Holden's lively and colourful palette, creates an engaging read that encourages young readers to think creatively and come up with clever names.
In addition to the delightful story, the endpapers display a stunning patchwork of flora and fauna that can be found throughout the book. A gentle eco literate picturebook that tells us that nature can be found in any environment. ...more
In this humorous and heartwarming book, a father and daughter engage in playful make-believe, taking on the roles of trees with complete dedication. DIn this humorous and heartwarming book, a father and daughter engage in playful make-believe, taking on the roles of trees with complete dedication. Despite encountering various challenges, such as birds nesting on their heads and spiders building webs on their arms, they remain committed to their roles.
The story celebrates the power of imagination and the deep love parents have for their children, as the father is willing to do anything to make his daughter happy even if he is being played to both the reader's and his daughter's delight. A book about the joy of being outdoors, the reluctance of children wanting to go to bed and the humour that comes with children challenging parental authority.
Dr. Morley leads a team on an Arctic expedition in search of a rare jellyfish. Despite spotting other sea creatures like narwhals and orcas, the jellyDr. Morley leads a team on an Arctic expedition in search of a rare jellyfish. Despite spotting other sea creatures like narwhals and orcas, the jellyfish remains elusive. However, illustrator Savage reveals a fun twist: the jellyfish has been following them all along.
Savage's detailed artwork showcases the crew's preparations, clothing, and equipment, as well as the ship's various compartments. These are lovely cutaways that lend the book a feeling of both William Grill with a touch of Stephen Biesty The crew faces challenges such as storms, polar bears, and massive ice shelves. The ocean surface is often split in half to show both above and underwater views, with occasional panels to vary the pace. This is a story about perseverance with a light ecocritical message too - just lovely and a seriously impressive debut. ...more
This is such a sweet picturebook and a very good introduction to the damage we place on the creatures of Earth with our waste. Jonas is a lighthouse kThis is such a sweet picturebook and a very good introduction to the damage we place on the creatures of Earth with our waste. Jonas is a lighthouse keeper who seems to love his work. One day, he sets off in his boat only to have it capsize in a storm. Who should come to rescue him but a great whale named Blue. Jonas adores his new companion but when he searches for Blue the next day, he is nowhere to be found. Diving (with hat still on) deep into the ocean, Jonas discovers Blue looking ill on the ocean floor. He has swallowed hundreds of plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Returning the favour of being saved, Jonas removes all the waste and Blue is well again. A very simple ecocritical picturebook that even the youngest reader would pick up on. I enjoyed its fantastical elements which are pitched so well at that youngest of readers. ...more
Whenever you go on social media, Morpurgo gets a bit of a bashing and it's certainly not deserved. I often think that some of the educationalists dislWhenever you go on social media, Morpurgo gets a bit of a bashing and it's certainly not deserved. I often think that some of the educationalists disliking his work are inwardly disliking the fact that their canon is limited and that the huge swathe of texts Morpurgo brings out perhaps mirrors that 'celeb-writing' culture that abounds. This is not to say that he hasn't written a few stinkers but, for me, the good and excellent far outweigh them.
In 'A Song', Morpurgo plays with a real-life incident in which he found himself chatting to a blackbird in his garden during Covid. The speaker, whose appearance passes a more than a chance resemblance to the author himself, seems morose and down about the state of the world. Not just because of the pandemic because of the point to where the world has gotten to: or, at least, where humanity is.
The little blackbird has an idea and sets off a song that travels across the world to the ears of all creatures great and small - both beneath and above the waves. More than a Song of Gladness it is more redemptive in nature and tells the humans to stop apologising for what they have done to the planet and, instead, take this time to reflect and heal both themselves and that which we have left.
I adore Gravett's illustrations here - it's as if she's been allowed me - pun not intended- spread her wings. It's a little, hopeful book. ...more
I absolutely adore Cobb's watercolour and pastel illustrations; there is something warm and comforting about them and I know, as a young child, I woulI absolutely adore Cobb's watercolour and pastel illustrations; there is something warm and comforting about them and I know, as a young child, I would have taken real pleasure pouring over the images. This ability to tap into what it is to be a child and tend to a child's imagination is why Cobb is so successful.
I also would have loved Aunt Amelia herself for in a world populated by humans, it appears that the children's aunt...is a crocodile in a bright pink and white striped dress. She's also clever, kind, generous and wise.
When the children find out that they are spending the day and night with their aunt, they're overjoyed. However, they become a little disheartened when they find out that the day will mostly be filled with chores such as watering the garden, picking fruits, feeding Aunt Amelia's pets and so on. But Aunt Amelia has a way of making these tasks fun and light and memorable. I particularly loved the spread of her feeding her pets: cuteness overload!
It's a sweet little picturebook in which a subtle message around the joy of caring for your immediate natural environment is key (alongside helping out with the housework). It helps that each page is crammed with things to enjoy exploring and sharing with others. ...more
Twitch has been happy keeping to his own company: just him and his mum and the chickens. The other children in Year 7 seem to find him odd and too geeTwitch has been happy keeping to his own company: just him and his mum and the chickens. The other children in Year 7 seem to find him odd and too geeky to fit in; at least, that's what Twitch thinks. But there is other company that Twitch values as much as all the others; birds. With his hide in a local wood, his binoculars and a growing knowledge of the natural world, Twitch is happiest logging and viewing his feathered friends.
As the summer holidays begin though, a series of events occur to turn Twitch's world upside down. From bullies to a suspected murderer, Twitch must learn to navigate a dangerous new world in which he will have to learn to read people as well as he can read birds and in which his trust in others will be tested to the limit.
I have no idea how Leonard manages to juggle so much in one book. The complexity of friendships at the start of Secondary School, bullying and self-esteem in amongst a cracking little mystery that arrives in his home town. With an ending that just shows how good Leonard is at plot and character, Twitch was a little welcome hit of my reading year. I think Maya has this extraordinary gift of writing in the style of those excellent post-war writers whilst keeping the themes contemporary and relevant....more
Cottle's light yet complex and busy style has meant that she has remained in the sights of publishers since she began sharing her work in 2017. Much lCottle's light yet complex and busy style has meant that she has remained in the sights of publishers since she began sharing her work in 2017. Much like On a Magical Do-Nothing Day, a young girl is whisked away from home to spend time in a richer natural environment. Neither the environment nor her grandfather's lush garden seems to tear her focus away from the electronic devices though. It's only when her pet dog manages to chase a cat into next door's greenhouse, crammed with plant life...and a special resident, that Bea really begins to see beauty beyond the screen.
With a strong ecocritical metaphor, Cottle's illustrations delight - a mix between digital and the occasional paint with gouache, these are as rich and exploratory as you would want a greenhouse to be. As Cottle gets more into the form and craft I think her storytelling with continue to grow from strength to strength.
From dawn until dusk, we are given a tour of the natural world and its denizens. Aaron shares with us double-page spreads awash with watercolour and pFrom dawn until dusk, we are given a tour of the natural world and its denizens. Aaron shares with us double-page spreads awash with watercolour and paper cut-outs similar to Eric Carle. The poetic prose is one of a parent sharing with their child the wonders of the natural world and how it is theirs to enjoy and wonder at. A sensory delight. ...more
A study of creatures from around the world who are either bioluminescent or biofluorescent. I'm so glad we have Flying Eye publishing information textA study of creatures from around the world who are either bioluminescent or biofluorescent. I'm so glad we have Flying Eye publishing information texts as they make the most of celebrating the beauty of the world rather than allowing the staleness of facts to drown the interest.
From under the ocean waters to out in the desert, Armstrong and Susanj provide the words and pictures to take us on this fascinating tour. Care has been taken to pitch and design the text at a readership for around 7+ and facts are short and bite-sized whilst remaining engaging and cohesive: I just really wanted the book to have real glow-in-the-dark elements too! ...more
An absolutely beautiful introduction to the Welsh alphabet through the natural world and extremely high-quality presentation too. Letter and word on tAn absolutely beautiful introduction to the Welsh alphabet through the natural world and extremely high-quality presentation too. Letter and word on the left against a rich wash of oil spreads and on the right a range of Carle-esque cut-out illustrations. High quality. ...more
The grandchildren have never really enjoyed being at Grandma's house. They're bored there and would prefer to be on their mobile phones. They never reThe grandchildren have never really enjoyed being at Grandma's house. They're bored there and would prefer to be on their mobile phones. They never really look at her home or listen to the stories that she has to tell. That is until she starts speaking about how the planet is losing its life and its own stories. It is then that they follow Grandma and discover all the memories of her time in the world and how these memories can help them preserve and care for their futures and those of the planet.
Sumptuously illustrated by Stanev will so much to see and explore throughout. It is a picturebook that would benefit from multiple re-readings but I think that the storyline just needed some light editing so that the narrative made a little more sense between preserving memories and the children becoming custodians of the planet. ...more
A lovely multi-sensory tour through local wild spaces (for some of us) as we travel through wood and grassland and past river and garden. Each sectionA lovely multi-sensory tour through local wild spaces (for some of us) as we travel through wood and grassland and past river and garden. Each section opens with a beautiful, poetic opening from Dara and then short facts around the wildlife found there whether animal or plant. As a bridge between habitats, Dara shares a creative activity for readers to consider. I especially enjoyed Dara's notes on how we should care for and be considerate of the environment as we're exploring it. Falls' style and design throughout really carries the book which is a little limited in content. I think this was my only gripe: that some spreads felt drawn out with little text and either needed more written content or to be honestly a little smaller in size. ...more
I wanted to write reams and reams on this incredible little creation (you have to get it in hardback as I suspect some of its vitality wIt's 6 stars.
I wanted to write reams and reams on this incredible little creation (you have to get it in hardback as I suspect some of its vitality will be lost in any other version). I just loved it and it's one book whose thoughts and meanings, rarely, I want to keep to myself. I will say one thing and that is that it was a deep pleasure to read a children's book with a loving and compassionate father. Thank you....more
The Barrington Stoke books are both edited, printed and tinted in order to be accessible to dyslexic readers and I am constantly impressed by the qualThe Barrington Stoke books are both edited, printed and tinted in order to be accessible to dyslexic readers and I am constantly impressed by the quality of the stories too. This is one of my favourites from the publisher and although possibly pitched at KS3 there is nothing in it that means it couldn't be read with UKS2 children.
Dylan finds the pressure of home life and school is too much for him and when he finds himself expelled for punching another student, his mum takes him to live with her father in a coastal village in Wales. Here, life moves at a far slower pace and although Dylan is hesitant about converting to this new mode of life, he begins to fall in love with his grandfather's boat and the coastal wildlife.
This is a story of finding peace within oneself through the natural world; something quite prescient for our times and rightly so. I loved the intergenerational relationship that grew between Dylan and his grandfather and the sense of acceptance he feels as he allows himself to be liked and loved by the community. ...more
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