The School Librarian 70-1 Spring 2022

Telling Tales in School:
A skill to inspire and impress!
Alec Williams
Supporting Students with English
as an Additional Language
Elly Roberts
The Quarterly Journal of the School Library Association
How To... Exploring Google Search Techniques
Harmeet Sahota
www.sla.org.uk

Safe and sound
through troubled times
We have been busy on behalf of our users during
this pandemic. Last April we moved quickly and
released a ‘Quarantine’ patch to manage how items
are reintegrated to the collection. We then followed that
with a ‘Click and Collect’ facility, to help users manage
the challenges of proximity and access.
We also developed a program of webinar training sessions
for users during lockdown, which proved so popular we
extended the range and continue to produce them. None
of us knows what the future holds, but we will always put our
users first and adapt to challenges as they come along.
Join our school community and enjoy better support and value
for money with the Heritage Cirqa library
management system. www.isoxford.com

Contents
The Quarterly Journal of the School Library Association
Welcome from the CEO 2
Editorial 3
SLA News 4
Features
Parent Power: Harnessing the Goodwill of Parent Volunteers
Ruth Horsman 5
Telling Tales in School: A Skill to Inspire and Impress!
Alec Williams 6
Digital Library Hub: Innovation during the Pandemic
Liz Mills-Campbell 8
Supporting Students with English as an Additional Language
Elly Roberts 10
Teaching Media Literacy through Citizenship – an Urgent Priority for Schools
Liz Moorse 12
Reducing the Summer Learning Gap
Elly Roberts 14
The Age of the Edupreneur 15
Richard Gerver
International Perspectives 16
Current Conversations 17
Between the Library and the Classroom 18
Research Highlights 18
Get Set for the Media and Information Literacy Alliance 19
A View From... 20
Frequently Asked Questions 23
Curriculum Links 24
Dates for you Diary 25
Digital
How To... Exploring Google Search Techniques 26
JSTOR For Librarians 27
NLT: Using technology and video game playing to support literacy 28
EdTech Horizons 29
Social Media Links for Science 30
Three from YouTube for French 31
Three Websites for Revision 32
Book Reviews
7 & Under 34
Highlights – Inventions
8 –12
37
44
Highlights - Sport 47
13-16 60
Highlights – Verse Novels 63
17-19 68
Highlights – Change 69
Professional 71
Book Review Index 72
5
Parent power:
Harnessing the
goodwill of parent
volunteers to help
run primary school
libraries
10
Supporting students
with English as an
Additional Language
12
Teaching Media
Literacy through
Citizenship – an Urgent
Priority for Schools
EdTech Horizons
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
1

Welcome from the CEO
As I write this, the new year has landed, but has
not, perhaps, been the fresh start we wanted. The
routines, news and conversations happening
seem to be much in the same vein as last year,
which have already taken some of the spark out
of the promise of the new year.
Despite this, I am optimistic. 2022 is the SLA’s 85 th anniversary
– our very first meeting having taken place on 23 January 1937.
There is much exciting work going on to celebrate this, and to
forge the links and create the space for a brighter, stronger future
for the SLA and all school libraries. Coincidentally, 2022 also
brings a new five-year strategy for our organisation. The process
has been long, and on behalf of the board I would like to extend
a thank you to all who took part and made suggestions as part of
the consultation; it just wouldn’t have been the same otherwise.
Discussions have been had with the board and staff, and both
parties are confident the new strategy sets the right vision for the
SLA, and we will work to implement it over the next few years
(you can view the strategy on the SLA website).
While reading about associations across the world, I came
across this quote from Angela Shelton (based in Australia):
“2020 changed everything. 2021 was the year of transition, and
2022 will be the year of growth and resilience”. I think this rings
true; we are ready to create the future we want. There will be
challenges, upsets, and downfalls, but no growth comes without
resilience, and every step forward is a step towards where we
need to be.
2022 sees phase two of the Great School Libraries campaign
set sail. This new phase will continue to be led by CILIP, CILIP
School Libraries Group and the School Library Association, but
will have a new governance structure. The successes of phase
one have been immense, and the work which this campaign
inspired, particularly by BookTrust and the National Literacy
Trust, has been key to ensuring school libraries are a part of the
education conversation.
I don’t know what 2022 has to offer
– like a bag of ‘Bertie Bott’s Every
Flavour Beans’ we’re going in and
hoping for the best – but I know it has
potential. To achieve the things we
want to, we need to work together,
listen , understand, be curious,
share our knowledge, and support
each other. I’m incredibly proud to
be a member of the school library
community, and I hope you are too.
Alison Tarrant
Published four times a year by the School Library Association:
spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Cover illustration by Chris Riddell.
Copyright © 2022 School Library Association. All rights reserved.
ISSN 0036 6595
Cover: Original artwork by
Chris Riddell, Patron of the
School Library Association.
You can be in with a chance
of winning this artwork by
emailing ‘Spring Riddell
Cover’ to info@sla.org.uk.
The winner of the Winter
artwork was Azra Jelaca,
Oxford High School,
in Oxford.
The views expressed are those of the contributors and reviewers and
not necessarily the official views of the School Library Association.
Registered Charity Nos. 313660 and SC039453.
Printed on Carbon Captured paper.
Annually the production of TSL creates
44.76 square meters of native British
woodland and captures 1.792 tonnes of CO 2 .
Designed and printed by
Holywell Press, Oxford.
Contributions
Articles, books or digital media for review are always
welcome. We are happy to receive enquiries from potential
contributors and will be pleased to supply further
information. Email: tsl@sla.org.uk
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All other communications should be sent to
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We are always keen for feedback.
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The current cost of annual membership of the School Library
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journal, The School Librarian, or £131.00 to include two
copies. The rate for retired and fulltime student members
is £50.00. Details and membership forms may be obtained
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Members of the SLA receive this journal free; they may
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at reduced rates; and may use our telephone advisory
service and access members-only resources on the website.
Worldwide institutional subscriptions to the journal only are
available at £122.00 for the calendar year 2021.
2
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Editorial
The Quarterly Journal of the School Library Association
Telling Tales in School:
A skill to inspire and impress!
Alec Williams
Supporting Students with English
as an Additional Language
Elly Roberts
How To - Exploring Google Search Techniques
Harmeet Sahota
The first edition of TSL for the new
year brings the opportunity to think
about some of the changes and
challenges facing the education
sector in the coming months.
Global events last year mean
many schools are expecting an increase in pupils
who use English as an additional language, as
refugees are welcomed into our classrooms
over this year, particularly from Afghanistan
and across the Middle East. Figures for 2021
placed the number of pupils in England who use
English as an additional language (EAL) at one
fifth of primary pupils and just over one sixth
of secondary pupils. As a result, schools will
increasingly have to prioritise provision for these
students. We spoke to early years lecturer Helen
Francis and librarian Sylvia Cummins about the
best ways for school staff to support EAL pupils.
Figures for 2021 placed the number
of pupils in England who use English
as an additional language (EAL) at one
fifth of primary pupils and just over
one sixth of secondary pupils.
The issue of fake news and online misinformation
continues to plague our society. YouTube again
came under fire in January for being “one of the
major conduits of online disinformation and
misinformation worldwide”. An open letter to
the Google-owned platform’s chief executive
Susan Wojcicki (published on www.poynter.
org) was signed by 80 signatories from across
the world, including UK charity Full Fact, and
the Washington Post’s fact-checking team.
However, The Royal Society also published a
report advising against social media companies
removing content that is “legal but harmful”, and
instead suggested they adjust the algorithms to
prevent this information going viral. In such an
environment it is more important than ever to
equip our young people with the information
literacy skills to navigate their future.
The SLA is proud to be part of the Media and
Information Literacy Alliance and SLA patron
Julian McDougall is on the board. Look out for
updates in TSL throughout the year by Jane Secker,
chair of CILIP’S information Literacy Group,
as the initiative gathers pace. This edition also
features an article by Liz Moorse, Chief Executive
of the Association for Citizenship Teaching,
who outlines the key role citizenship can play in
teaching media literacy skills to today’s secondary
school pupils. She writes: “Schools, teachers,
and librarians have an important role to play in
Schools, teachers, and librarians
have an important role to
play in both safeguarding
democracy and countering
the effects of misinformation
and conspiracy.
both safeguarding democracy and countering
the effects of misinformation and conspiracy.”
The end of this month will also bring the end
of term, with many staff looking ahead to how
best to cater for students in the summer term
and ahead. An issue faced by schools every year
is the summer learning gap, where students’
learning is lost over the six week summer holidays,
or where those students who partake in less
educational activities than their peers during this
period start the school year in a disadvantaged
position. Three school librarians discuss how
they see pupils affected in their schools, and
share advice for helping to mitigate its impact
before the holidays and support students to
get up to speed when the school year begins.
There have been some exciting changes made to
TSL this year as well. In the digital section we are
very pleased to welcome Harmeet Sahota, EdTech
consultant and founder of www.curriculumwide.
co.uk to write a regular ‘How To’ column
focusing on digital skills needed for working
in the education sector. We are also delighted
to have Jonathan Viner, founder of 10Digits AB
consultancy who will contribute a regular column
letting readers know about new and upcoming
digital or technological programmes or platforms
which may be of interest. These will sit alongside
our usual digital columns focusing on social
media, websites and YouTube suggestions,
for which we are thrilled to have regular
columnists from among our digital reviewers.
Alongside other highlights in this edition,
storyteller Alec Williams writes about how
oral storytelling in school can inspire a love of
stories for pupils in time for World Story Telling
Day, a global celebration of the art of oral
storytelling, on 20 th March. We also have one
of our trustees and volunteer librarian, Ruth
Horsman, writing about her wonderful success
story harnessing the power of parents in her local
primary school to help preserve its library as a
benefit for all students. Both not to be missed!
My thanks go to everyone who contributed their
hard work and time to this issue. To suggest
further ideas for content please email
elizabeth.roberts@sla.org.uk.
More insights and best practice coming in the
next edition!
www.sla.org.uk
Elly Roberts is the
Publications and Awards
Officer for The School
Library Association
@Elly_Roberts1
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
3

SLA News
Awards update
Entries for our new Community and Enterprise awards closed in
January, and our thanks go to everyone who entered. We can’t
wait to find out who will be chosen for the shortlist and share
these brilliant examples of team work!
The Information Book Award submissions have also closed and
we have had many exciting information books arrive in the office.
We will announce our longlist for this in April, with the shortlist
following in May. Visit our website to keep up-to-date with the
latest information and how to
get involved in the Children’s
Choice award.
Entries for the School Librarian of the Year award closed in
November. This year’s award is split into a Primary category,
sponsored by Author’s Abroad and a secondary category,
funded by the Foyle Foundation. Keep an eye out for the
shortlists in May, before the final winners ceremony.
Weekend course update
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s fantastic
weekend course, Lifelong Learners: Journeys of
Curiosity, Collaboration & Imagination, which will
be held 10–12 June 2022. Tickets will be on sale until
6 th May, and the early bird discount is still available
until the end of this month, so head on over to our
website to get your tickets while this lasts!
We have a very exciting line up of speakers this year,
as well as sessions streamed into three topics – Reinvigorating
Reading, Collaboration and Co-creation,
and Skills for Lifelong Learning – so members can
choose what will be most beneficial to them.
For all the most up-to-date information visit our
webpage at www.sla.org.uk/lifelong-learners.
85th Anniversary update
Celebrations are now well underway for our 85 th
anniversary year, which kicked off with an
incredible competition that saw almost a
quarter of our members get involved
in. Thank you to everyone who
entered. We will be revealing more
opportunities to celebrate and get
involved throughout the year.
We have also been delving into
the archives to learn more about
our history.
The first meeting was held at the
Institute of Education, which is now
within UCL. The first editor of TSL was
Charles Morris, and it was proposed that
the journal would include booklists and reviews
within four topics: Scripture, Domestic Science, History
and English.
The journal continued during the war despite being
reduced in size and frequency due to paper rationing.
By the 1960s the SLA was well established and in 1961
celebrated its 25 th anniversary. Representatives of
the Ministry of Education, the National Union
of Teachers, the Library Association and
the National Book League were invited
to the festivities. The principal guest,
Dr. Robert Birley, Head Master of Eton
College said: “After the provision of
a chapel and the bare minimum of
classrooms, a good library is more
valuable to a school than anything
else – hall, laboratories, gymnasium
or playing fields.”
Within 36 years we hit the 6,000 members
mark, and also moved premises to Oxford.
Over the next few decades various projects were initiated
by the SLA, three with the Department of Education which
included Boys into Books and Book Ahead, for which the
DfE gave £7.5 million in funding in 2008. In 2012 the SLA
purchased offices at Kembrey Park which is where we now
call home.
4
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Feature
Parent Power: Harnessing the
Goodwill of Parent Volunteers to
Help Run Primary School Libraries
Ruth Horsman
SLA trustee Ruth Horsman discusses her efforts
to help preserve the library at her local primary school.
I
became a parent volunteer six years ago –
at that time there was one parent coming
into the library to keep it tidy. Classes
were coming in to choose books, but
there was no dedicated time to read the
books here. It was less a library, more a
room with books in it.
I felt this was such a lovely space, but it was only
open when teachers came with their classes. I put
it to the head teacher that I could open the library
one lunchtime a week as a space for kids to come
in and read. That grew and grew. I started talking
other parents into joining me as well. Gradually
people started to realise how beneficial it was for
the children to have a space for themselves, in
addition to the playground.
There are lots of kids who see the
library as the heart of the school –
it is their space.
Then we had a bit of a shock announcement – the
local authority was moving the school kitchen/
dining room back into the main building from a
hut outside, and this kitchen would now be in the
library space!
We applied for funding from the local authority
to help rebuild the library in another part of the
school and launched a public fundraiser to top up
the rest. By now we had built up a library culture
in the school, and pupils, parents, and staff could
all see how important it was to continue to have
a library. Thankfully, we got it signed off and
now have a wonderful brand-new library space
spanning three floors!
February 2020 saw the opening of the new library,
just before the pandemic hit. Since schools
reopened, classes have been visiting once a week
to change their books,
but we haven’t been able
to run the lunchtime
sessions. We have the
parents DBS checked and
raring to go, and hopefully
will be getting these up
and running again in the
spring term of 2022!
There are lots of kids who
see the library as the
heart of the school – it is
their space – they own it!
Children help choose the
books we buy in. We have a team of pupil librarians
who help the parent volunteers keep the space tidy.
Before the pandemic, I started looking into the
power of networking and putting schools together.
I set up a small network, four or five mainstream
primary schools which all either had a library
or were in the process of setting one up. We met
once a term and shared good practice about, for
example, managing fund-raising, sharing ideas
for the promotion of reading for pleasure, etc. To
further this networking, I also set up the Lewisham
Primary book awards with Moon Lane Bookshop,
and 15 primary schools took part. The emphasis
was on inclusivity and books reflecting the diversity
of the borough.
These two initiatives have been on hold for a few
years, but we are looking at ways to bring them
back for 2022!
In an ideal world all primary schools would have a
dedicated library space and a paid primary school
librarian to help the children on their reading
journeys. Sadly, as it stands this is desperately
underfunded, and rather than not let it happen,
there are other ways, such as parent volunteering,
to help run primary school libraries and keep
them open.
Photo Credit:
Ruth Horsman.
Ruth Horsman volunteers
at Stillness Junior School
library in her spare
time. Her first job was in
Tooting Public Library
and she now works as the
communication lead for
education and schools
for an inner London local
authority. Her dream is to
be a full-time librarian in a
mainstream primary school!
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
5

Feature
Telling Tales in School:
A skill to inspire and impress!
Alec Williams
Storyteller (and former SLA Chair) Alec Williams shows
how oral storytelling can inspire a love of stories for pupils.
A former SLA Chair, Alec
Williams is a speaker,
trainer and storyteller. His
storytelling, from nurseries
to secondary schools, takes
him around the UK and
abroad, and includes stories
from memory along with
poetry and extracts – all
designed to create readers!
He is the author of SLA’s
free download
‘Get Everyone Reading’.
I’ve been a librarian (and an SLA
enthusiast) long enough to know that
school librarians are impressive enough
already. But here’s an idea – maybe a
New Year’s Challenge? – that will not
only inspire your students, but also earn
you admiration from staff. Oral storytelling (let’s
just say ‘storytelling without books’) is a skill that
can amaze young people. Almost all of them will
have heard stories read aloud, and in the form of
TV, films, and computer screens, but many never
see anything live. They’re growing into adults who
need a screen behind them to talk, partly because
they’ve never appreciated the simple power of a
voice to hold an audience.
Pupils who find it easier to listen than
to read can thus devour whole stories,
and may suddenly realise the point,
purpose and joy of them, obscured
otherwise by what might have been ‘
a battle with print’ or their varied
reading stamina.
‘When I was in the business of helping students
to become teachers’, wrote Philip Pullman in his
wonderful book of essays Daemon Voices 1 , ‘I used
to urge them to tell stories in the classroom – not
read them from a book, but get out and tell them,
face to face, with nothing to hide behind. The
students were very nervous until they tried it.
They thought that under the pressure of all those
wide-open eyes, they’d melt into a puddle of selfconsciousness.
But the brave ones tried it, and they
always came back next week and reported with
amazement that it worked, that they could do it.
What was happening was that the children were
gazing, not at the storyteller, but at the story she
was telling. The teller had become invisible, and
the story worked much more effectively as a result.’
This is where storytelling can inspire children. All
children need the experience of story, especially
if they’re struggling with reading, to remind
them of the delights to come when they become
more fluent. As well as stimulating writing, and
modelling speaking well, hearing stories reinforces
the sheer pleasure of the story experience and
creates an appetite for finding that again, inside
books. Oral storytelling has a unique role here; its
separation from the teaching of reading means it’s
free of grading and tests. Pupils who find it easier to
listen than to read can thus devour whole stories,
and may suddenly realise the point, purpose and
joy of them, obscured otherwise by what might
have been ‘a battle with print’ or their varied
reading stamina.
I appreciate that you read aloud to highlight library
stock, and reading fiction extracts and poetry
does just this, maybe creating a run on the books
you’ve used. Telling folktales, myths and legends
might deplete the 398s and 292s a little, but even
if it doesn’t, it revives and preserves ancient
tales (ones that inspired Shakespeare 2 , and still
underlie modern writing); it salutes the heritages
of all your students; and delivers short complete
stories in performance, a shared experience which
provokes humour, thrills, fear, surprise – and often
questioning too. And if it gains compliments from
others in school… well, that’s an added bonus!
Six Steps to Story Success
If you want to develop your own storytelling, here
are some ideas. Firstly, find some good sources:
from books, the internet, other storytellers – or
from family or friends, because personal anecdotes
are good material too, with less memorising
involved. You may not find a story you like straight
away, but eventually you’ll find one that you’re
really enthusiastic about... one that wants you to tell
it. Folk tale sources include books by SLA Patron
Kevin Crossley-Holland 3 ; a range of UK publishers
including Barefoot Books and Frances Lincoln; and
US publishers such as August House. For younger
children, try that other librarian-turned-storyteller
6
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Telling Tales in School: A skill to inspire and impress!
Zoom storytelling session
2021. Photo Credit:
Heybrook Primary School,
Rochdal.
Liz Weir 4 , along with picture book folk tales. I’ve
been buying books of Romanian, Bulgarian, and
Lithuanian folktales, because for a school with
families from these countries, being able to say:
“And that story… comes from Bulgaria!” can make
students glow with recognition, and helps give
them a little more confidence.
All children need the experience of
story, especially if they’re struggling
with reading, to remind them of the
delights to come when they become
more fluent.
Secondly, practice... and then practice some more!
You could do this at home (to an unsuspecting
family!), or with friends. Tell in front of a mirror,
or in the car – and if you’re brave, record or video
yourself. Think about how you can use your voice.
It could be quiet in a ghost story, or loud, in a
‘jump story’. It could be fast, when Baba Yaga is
chasing Vasilisa, or slow, to build suspense. It
could be high, for a princess or a fairy, or low, for a
giant or an elephant.
Thirdly, choose a way of remembering that suits
you. If you’ve a visual mind, draw a story map
or a storyboard. If you prefer language, reduce
the story to its basic elements – storytellers call it
‘bare-boning’ – which you can use to rebuild it in
your own words. The ‘three Rs’ of traditional stories
(rhyme, rhythm and repetition) will also help you
remember the structure, along with devices like
choruses, and the ‘rule of three’. If you’re hesitant,
start with a synopsis of the main points on your
knee, but lose it as soon as you can.
Fourthly, add movement. If you’ve no text, you’ll
then be able to stand, move around, use both your
arms for actions (walking on the spot, shaking your
fist, wagging a finger) and add gestures (I can think
of at least four for when a character’s thinking).
Moving nearer to less-engaged pupils can bring
their attention back!
Fifthly, add voices, sounds and pace. Try to
distinguish between different characters. It may
help to imagine a triangle, with you in the centre,
turning to left and right and changing voices as
you turn. Add in sounds too, especially for younger
children – animal noises; creaking noises, as a
door opens. Try to lose your inhibitions; as one
storyteller 5 put it, ‘it is impossible to go over the
top’! Vary the pace as you go, and don’t be afraid to
take it slowly sometimes, enjoying the pauses: ‘She
slowly opened the door… and saw… something…
amazing…!’
Sixthly, listen to other storytellers: live, and via
on-line clips. Try out their different approaches
yourself. Contact the Society for Storytelling 6 , for
information about storytelling clubs and events.
The story continues…
Build on your own storytelling by seeing if other
staff want to join in (there may be hidden talents!).
Invite a guest storyteller: a different repertoire,
perhaps a different ethnicity or gender, will
broaden students’ experience of styles and content.
Such a visit might spark a storytelling competition
or club, where students share stories they’ve learnt.
Check your stock too, adding to or highlighting
potential storytelling material.
Contact me or the SLA for support with any
queries you may have.
References
1. Philip Pullman, Daemon
Voices: on Stories and
Storytelling, David
Fickling Books, 2017.
2. Patrick Ryan,
Shakespeare’s
Storybook: Folk Tales
that inspired the Bard,
Barefoot Books, 2001.
3. Kevin Crossley-Holland,
Between Worlds:
Folktales of Britain and
Ireland, Walker Books,
2019. Also his new
Arthur the Always King
(pictures by another
SLA Patron!), Walker
Books, 2021.
4. Liz Weir, Boom Chicka
Boom, O’Brien Press,
1995, and Here, There
and Everywhere,
O’Brien Press, 2005.
5. Janice M Del Negro,
Folktales Aloud:
Practical Advice for
Playful Storytelling,
ALA, 2014
6. The Society for
Storytelling is at
www.sfs.org.uk
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
7

Feature
Digital Library Hub:
Innovation during the Pandemic
Liz Mills-Campbell
Director of Libraries at Harrow International School Hong
Kong, Liz Mills-Campbell, describes how she developed a
digital library hub in response to the challenges posed by
the Covid-19 pandemic, with contributions by Dr Neelam
Parmar, Director of Digital Learning and Education at Harrow
International Schools.
Liz Mills-Campbell is the
Director of Libraries at
Harrow International School
Hong Kong. She has worked
in education for 10 years,
both as a school librarian
and as Schools Manager
at Scholastic Books in
Hong Kong. Before this, Liz
worked for HarperCollins
Children’s Books in London.
@HarrowHKLib
Quite frankly, the pandemic
has transformed and changed
education for the foreseeable
future. New mobile schooling
strategies for blended or hybrid
teaching are now in full effect,
where leveraging the technology in and out
of the classroom is no longer a nice-to-have
but a necessity in providing for continuity of
learning. Back-end infrastructure configuration,
consistency of ecosystems, bespoke development
of professional teacher training programmes,
and implementation of high-end innovative
solutions have made their presence in schools, in
some form or another, becoming the important
focus of a school development plan. While all
these moving parts are relevant in providing for
a successful implementation for a school digital
strategy, silently emerging from these solutions is
a digital library, paving the path as a supportive
resource for the future of digital education.
Listed below is a case study of how Harrow
International School Hong Kong developed its own
digital library hub during the pandemic. Liz Mills-
Campbell, Director of Libraries, documented some
of the challenges the hub faced during the midst
of uncertainty but which, through a well-planned
vision, is now the go to online hub for students to
access information from any place, anywhere, and
at any time.
Necessity can drive innovation. The evolution of
zoom video conferencing and students learning
remotely from their homes presented a unique
opportunity for schools to implement digital
strategies and a framework to incorporate digital
learning into their curriculum. In early 2020,
Harrow International School Hong Kong developed
a platform that would allow students to access
e-books, resources, and information from within
a virtual library hub.
In the absence of students, a number of issues
came to light almost immediately. First, and most
obvious, was that students were not able to borrow
books. Not only were there restrictions on access
but motivation to read was at an all-time low.
Second, although there was an excellent collection
of online resources, such as Jstor, Massolit, Gale,
Britannica, and National Geographic to name a
few, student engagement was limited. This was
largely due to the fact that students simply did not
know where to go to find any material. Additionally,
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VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Digital Library Hub: Innovation during the Pandemic
Not only were there restrictions on
access but motivation to read was
at an all-time low.
most students found it easier to conduct a general
search on a web browser rather than to navigate the
complex system. More notably, reduced teacher
usage became apparent quite quickly. Neither
students nor teachers made full use of the wide
range of available resources, probably due to lack
of training and familiarity. So, the first priority was
to establish an e-book lending library, and the
second was to host content that was accessible by
all students, in and out of Hong Kong, through an
easy-to-use interface.
A crucial component of any success is to start
with a vision: decide what you want and map
how to get there. This was supported by the
senior leadership team who were responsible for
the overall strategic view of the school’s digital
development plans, including that of a digital
e-book lending library strategy to support learning
online. By joining forces with international school
libraries, Harrow School became a member of the
Hong Kong Schools consortium with Overdrive’s
Sora e-book application. The support of a strong
professional network also helped in setting up
the e-book platform, and a new relationship with
the Association of Librarians in English Speaking
Schools (ALESS), Hong Kong, shaped best practices
and initiated new ideas.
With support and a clear plan of implementation,
Harrow students now have 24/7/365 access to a
wide range of fiction titles. Usage reports indicate
student engagement with Sora increased annually.
Interestingly, e-book lending rates in the first term
of 2021 increased by 43% compared to the first term
last year when students were not in school. This
illustrated that while the school had committed to
implement the digital resource platform as a school
wide initiative, teachers were now empowered and
able to focus on embedding practice into students’
daily habits of reading from home.
The next challenge was to develop a virtual space
where students would be able to access all content
and materials, much like they would in a physical
library, with no issues of VPN or connectivity.
Through collaborative consultation with the
school’s IT department and digital specialists, it
was agreed a cloud-based hosted site would house
the online resources and the Sora e-book lending
library system. Building the Library Hub website
was a relatively easy process, bespoke to Harrow
Hong and fit for purpose. The success for this
implementation is largely due to the engagement
of all stakeholders in the project, namely the IT
department, for without their support, it would
have been difficult to implement a digital program.
While necessity might be the mother of innovation,
complacency can be the death of it. Therein laid an
opportunity to study the analytics of usage rates,
website traffic, and trending data statistics, some of
which outlined the most popular and least popular
titles to fill in gaps or remove obstacles blocking
the flow of learning. So, the question then was how
do we continue to engage students and motivate
teachers to regularly visit the Digital Library Hub
and find up to date information, check out e-books
and use it as much as they would in the physical
school? In one sense, this was a massive challenge
while students were at home. On the other hand,
video conferencing zoom lessons provided the
perfect platform to share screen, demonstrate the
platform, provide links to bookmark, and support
users to practice navigating the online resource
pages. Popular activities such as book reviews
created a community of readers and Harrow
Drama dedicated a page to Digital Theatre+, which
consisted of student reviews and recommendations.
Student voice took the stage and buy-in from the
entire Harrow School community promoted and
shaped successful engagement.
It is therefore our responsibility as
educators to embrace this new era and
help our students navigate the vast
swathes of information they are able
to access, and use new digital tools
to enhance their learning.
The global pandemic may have given rise to new
pedagogical methods, and provided a space for
digital innovation, but through the unprecedented
times and a well-planned strategic digital vision,
a digital library hub emerged. Our very young
students as well as those graduating live in a digital
age. It is therefore our responsibility as educators
to embrace this new era and help our students
navigate the vast swathes of information they are
able to access, and use new digital tools to enhance
their learning. The Harrow Library hub is still in its
early days and has only just begun its journey, but
the foundations have been laid for more to come.
Credit: Harrow International
School Hong Kong.
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
9

Feature
Supporting Students with English
as an Additional Language
Elly Roberts
In the wake of global events last year, many schools will
experience an increase in pupils who use English as an additional
language (EAL) in 2022, as refugees are welcomed particularly
from Afghanistan and across the middle east. We talked to early
years lecturer Helen Francis and Sylvia Cummins, librarian at
Tower Hamlets Library Service, about how school staff can help
support these pupils.
Elly Roberts is the
Publications and Awards
Officer for The School
Library Association
@Elly_Roberts1
According to the Bell Foundation,
in 2021 20.9% of all primary pupils
and 17.2% of all secondary school
pupils in England use English
as an additional language. This
figure is set to increase in the
coming months as schools welcome new pupils,
particularly through the Afghan Relocations
and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens
Resettlement Scheme.
I think it is really important that
children understand the language
they speak at home is still really
valued at school.
“School can be challenging for EAL pupils, coming
into an environment where everything is in
English,” said Helen Francis, Early Years Associate
Lecturer at Reach Children’s Hub.
“The most important thing is that an EAL learner
feels safe and comfortable at school. If they don’t
feel safe and happy, they aren’t going to learn.”
Helen specialises in EAL learners and storytelling
with a focus on early years, reception and key
stage 1. She taught for seven years in London,
where typically a class of 30 children could
represent 13 different languages spoken by pupils’
families at home.
“I think it is really important that children
understand the language they speak at home is
still really valued at school,” said Helen.
Common suggestions for school staff include
putting phrases from each child’s home language
on the walls for children to learn and having dual
language books in the library or classroom.
“They are great, but the difficulty with these things
is that it can be done inauthentically,” said Helen.
“For example if a teacher puts a word on the wall
but then it’s ignored for the rest of the year.”
“Similarly with dual language books,” Helen added.
“They need to go beyond having The Very Hungry
Caterpillar in Arabic and English. They can be
great, and in a nursery context it does give children
exposure to seeing different types of script and text,
but it’s not particularly authentic from a language
development point of view.
“Ultimately you want storytelling to happen
authentically within that language,” she said.
Helen suggested inviting a parent into school to
tell a story from their native country.
“For example I would get a parent from Poland
to come in and tell us a Polish story rather than
reading an English book translated into Polish,”
she said.
“It’s great if you do have all the classic English
stories in both languages in your classroom or
library, but for a child, hearing a story that is not
only in their native language but from their culture,
I think is a much more authentic experience for
that child, as well as the other children in a class
or year group. Non-EAL pupils love experiencing
different languages too; it’s just as much of a
learning experience as for the EAL learners.”
Helen highlighted the importance of involving
the local community, including parents and other
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VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Supporting Students with English as an Additional Language
members of staff, in education experiences where
possible.
“We had a parent who was Nigerian and she led
some cooking for the class,” Helen said.
“She taught us how to make these delicious dishes
and gave all the instructions, but she only spoke
Yoruba the whole time, and it was just amazing.
I had six or seven children in the class who spoke
Yoruba, and it was so fantastic to see them become
the experts in the classroom where they were used
to having less understanding.”
Helen also stressed the value of EAL pupils being
encouraged to continue speaking their first
language at home, despite most of school life
happening in English.
“It’s well acknowledged in research that keeping
up with your first language is a lot better for you
developmentally and academically,” she said.
“All children in the earlier stages of school
are learning language, and they need to learn
a complex language and a complex way of
communicating. If parents also have English as
a second language, you can end up with a poor
model of English being demonstrated for that
child, who then won’t develop those language
or communication skills in any language.
It’s so important that pupils see and
identify with the faces and characters
in books that are like themselves and
their families.
“So I would always encourage parents to speak
their first language at home to pupils,” said Helen.
Sylvia Cummins, librarian at Tower Hamlets
Library Service, urged schools to have books in
their libraries and classrooms representing diverse
characters and stories.
“It’s so important that pupils see and identify with
the faces and characters in books that are like
themselves and their families,” said Sylvia, who has
worked at the service for 20 years.
“That the activities going on in their homes are
represented in the books they read in their school.”
The service supports 75 schools and provides
resources covering 45 different languages,
including African languages, European languages,
Indian languages, as well as Chinese, Vietnamese,
Turkish, and Mongolian, among others.
Sylvia added: “In terms of EAL learners, it’s really
important that school librarians do what they do
for all children, and that is to make sure all children
feel welcome by having an environment that shows
the importance and enjoyment of reading.
“Key to this is having books available which reflect,
like a mirror, where pupils come from and their
home life and cultural heritage. And also show,
like a window, other ways of life, opening up their
worlds so they can make connections between
their home life and other children’s home life.”
Other suggestions to support EAL learners include
using objects such as story stones with key
characters or scenes painted on for individual and
group storytelling, and puppets, toys or story sacks
(containing collections of objects) to help illustrate
a story. These add context to the language in a
story being read either one-on-one or in class, or
featuring in a book display, and can find a natural
home in a library or book corner.
“Real objects give meaning in an understandable
way to children regardless of their language skills,”
said Helen.
“It can sometimes be easier for EAL learners in an
early years setting, because it is naturally highly
contextualised for children. Whereas as you get
older, you lose that context higher up in school.
For older EAL learners, if it’s not really highly
contextualised, they can have trouble accessing
the learning.”
Helen recommended incorporating elements of
early years practice for EAL students coming into
older year groups.
She said: “When you are working with a story, think
about how you can make it come alive. For example
I was working with a pupil in Year 4 and there was
a story about witches and wizards, with wands,
etc. For a child who is new to English, the last thing
they will be worried about in their journey to learn
English is what a wizard or a witch is, so it’s about
contextualizing that for them, with for example,
a witches’ hat.
“Quite often books for older children don’t have
any pictures making it harder to decode what’s
going on, so have images, objects and other real
things along with the story. Are characters eating
food in the story – if so, can you cook and eat the
food together?”
Helen added: “It’s about thinking about how many
different ways a pupil can experience the story.
It sounds really basic but a lot of time this doesn’t
happen.”
Photo Credit: Canva.
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
11

Feature
Teaching Media Literacy through
Citizenship – an Urgent Priority
for Schools
Liz Moorse
Chief Executive of the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT),
Liz Moorse, outlines the key role citizenship can play inteaching
media literacy skills to today’s secondary school pupils.
Liz Moorse is the Chief
Executive of the Association
for Citizenship Teaching
(ACT) Find out more
about the Association for
Citizenship Teaching at
www.teachingcitizenship.
org.uk @ACitizenshipT
The key aim of citizenship education
is to develop informed, active
citizens who are ready and equipped
to participate in democratic society.
The opening sentences of the
current national curriculum set out
the purpose of studying the subject:
A high quality citizenship education helps
to provide pupils with knowledge, skills and
understanding to prepare them to play a full
and active part in society… Teaching should
equip pupils with the skills and knowledge to
explore political and social issues critically,
to weigh evidence, debate and make
reasoned arguments.
If we want pupils to be informed,
politically literate citizens, then they
need the knowledge and skills to think
critically about issues and engage with
the information and news they read,
see, and hear every day, wherever that
comes from.
There is a lot packed into this apparently simple
statement. Logically, if we want pupils to be
informed, politically literate citizens, then they
need the knowledge and skills to think critically
about issues and engage with the information
and news they read, see, and hear every day,
wherever that comes from. In an era which some
describe as an information pandemic, where many
citizens increasingly believe in conspiracy theories
(which are getting more prolific on social media),
there is an urgency for educators to play a role in
countering this. Recent research undertaken by
YouGov in 2019 suggests 60% of people believe
at least one conspiracy theory; in 2020 advocacy
group Hope Not Hate found 29% adults and 38%
of young adults believe a single group of people
secretly control the world.
Information disorder is having very real effects
on all our lives including those of children, such
as the frightening scenes of targeted action at the
school gate by anti-vaxxers. Schools, teachers, and
librarians have an important role to play in both
safeguarding democracy and countering the effects
of misinformation and conspiracy, and must now
prioritise teaching media and information literacy
through citizenship as part of maintaining a broad
and balanced curriculum. Students need the
knowledge to determine which sources they can
trust, to build their understanding of what is going
on in the world, which issues matter to them, and
why. And of course, it is established in Article 17 of
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that
children should have access to information from
the media in a form they can understand.
Of course, our understanding of information and
news shapes our views of the political and social
issues affecting our lives – our sense of agency
and community, and how we feel about politics
and society more widely. In turn, this affects our
propensity to respond and do something about
those issues as “active citizens”.
When re-reading the 1998 Crick report from the
advisory group on Education for Citizenship and
the Teaching of Democracy in Schools (chaired
by Bernard Crick) – the document which helped
to establish and define citizenship as a statutory
curriculum subject in secondary schools in
England (non-statutory in primary schools but with
a DFE programme of study) – we find the role of
citizenship to teach media literacy being discussed
from the very start.
12
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Teaching Media Literacy through Citizenship – an Urgent Priority for Schools
Photo Credit: Canva.
non-specialists) need to work a little harder to
interpret the requirements and develop them
into a coherent citizenship curriculum, to ensure
every child benefits from high quality citizenship
teaching and learning that includes media literacy.
The role of ‘new media technologies’ in society
and the need to equip pupils with the skills and
knowledge was certainly prominent in the minds of
the report’s authors and remain central to effective
citizenship teaching today.
The recommendations of the Crick report were
used to develop the 2002 national curriculum for
citizenship, which included requirements for pupils
to be taught about the importance of a free press,
and the skills to research a topical issue – including
analysing information from different sources –
expressing and defending an opinion about it, and
critically evaluating alternative views.
By 2008 the national curriculum for citizenship
teaching requirements relating to media
literacy were more detailed. For example, they
included the role of the media in informing and
influencing public opinion and holding those in
power to account; the use of different media to
communicate ideas and as a source of information;
and evaluating sources, questioning different
values, ideas and viewpoints as well as recognising
bias, among others.
Citizenship has played a central role in teaching
media literacy over the last twenty years. The
current key stage 3 and 4 citizenship national
curriculum (published in 2014) continues the
tradition of teaching media literacy and taken
together they include requirements to teach about:
• Democracy, including the power of government,
the role of citizens and Parliament in holding
those in power to account, and the different roles
of the executive, legislature and judiciary, and a
free press.
And skills to:
• Use a range of research strategies; interrogate
and weigh up evidence; debate and evaluate
viewpoints; present reasoned, persuasive
arguments; substantiate conclusions; and take
informed action.
The teaching requirements are less explicit about
media literacy objectives than previously, but the
essence of the concepts, knowledge, and skills are
there. In practice, this means teachers (especially
GCSE Citizenship Studies
and Media Literacy
Citizenship is of course also a GCSE subject. The
qualification is currently used in about 600 schools
and taught to 20,000 students.
Through this qualification, students should be
specifically educated about the role of the media
and free press in society, including:
• The rights, responsibilities and role of the
media and a free press in informing and
influencing public opinion, providing a forum
for the communication and exchange of ideas
and opinions, and holding those in power
to account.
• The right of the media to investigate and report
on issues of public interest subject to the need
for accuracy and respect for people’s privacy
and dignity.
• The operation of press regulation and examples
of where censorship is used.
• The use of the media by groups wishing to
influence public opinion and those in power.
Today we want pupils to understand the key
terms of misinformation, disinformation, malinformation,
and conspiracy theory. We want
students to have the skills to critically engage
with the many types of information and news
sources they encounter online and offline. We
build their knowledge of political and social issues
and problems, and their understanding of related
concepts. We teach about the role of the media and
a free press, and develop pupils’ skills to fact check
and source check when developing their own
views, and build resilience to extremist narratives
and bias. We want pupils to grow into informed,
responsible, and active citizens.
In summary, the role of citizenship in teaching
media literacy is paramount. We need our students
to discuss and engage with controversial issues
of the day and develop resilience to coercion and
manipulation as well as conspiracy theories; to
develop their capacity to discern fact from opinion
in the mass media; to unpick bias and challenge
stereotypes; and to build an understanding of
matters they want to address in society as part of
positive and democratic citizen action. If we do not
tackle this, the consequences for citizens and for
the future of democracy may be devastating. Today
more than ever, the politically literate citizen must
be a media literate citizen too.
Useful reading:
Teaching Citizenship, Issue
51 ‘Information Disorder’
www.teachingcitizenship.
org.uk/journals The ACT
journal available to school
members of the Association
for Citizenship
ACT lessons on media
literacy www.tinyurl.
com/35dvka3v
Conspiracy Theories in the
Classroom: Guidance for
Teachers, Hayward and
Gronland, 2021
www.tinyurl.com/
y9yxwccb
Teaching Politics and
Citizenship Education:
Guidance for Practitioners
on Remaining Impartial,
2021
www.tinyurl.com/4jc88jca
Education for citizenship
and the teaching of
democracy in schools, Final
Report, 1998
www.tinyurl.com/yjtrpc4a
‘National Curriculum
Programmes of Study for
Citizenship’, 2002, 2008,
2014 – links to primary and
secondary Programmes
of Study www.tinyurl.
com/35fvu9vw
DFE GCSE Citizenship
Studies GCSE Subject
Content, 2015
www.tinyurl.com/5s8d7xcc
Relationship and Sex
Education and Health
Education, Statutory
Guidance, 2019
(updated 2021)
www.tinyurl.com/4ksmv4yt
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
13

Feature
Reducing the Summer Learning Gap
Elly Roberts
Concerns around learning loss came to the fore during the
pandemic, but the summer learning gap has been on the education
agenda for a while. As summer term approaches, we spoke to three
librarians about how they help offset the long break from school.
Elly Roberts is the
Publications and Awards
Officer for The School
Library Association
@Elly_Roberts1
“There are quite a few students who either don’t
have books at home or are unaware of or unable to
get to the public libraries during the summer,” said
Rebecca Henry, librarian at St Joseph’s Catholic
College in Swindon.
“The situation is not the same for everybody but
there are students who maybe aren’t encouraged to
keep in contact with literacy during this time.”
The co-educational, state secondary school has
roughly 1,300 students from Year 7 to Year 11, with a
high population of students who come from families
whose first language is not English.
Rebecca added: “Particularly for these students,
and the bottom set classes, the summer holidays
can have a big effect.
“We’ve had students arriving roughly two weeks
before the end of the school year, so they’re not
familiar with what facilities are available over the
summer, for example in public libraries,” said
Rebecca, who recently published her first novel,
The Sound of Everything.
To help support these students, Rebecca’s first
priority is opening the library when the year starts.
“A large percentage of the Year 7 students have never
been in a library and don’t know how it works, which
is really shocking,” she said. “So for them it’s about
making sure they can come in and feel comfortable.”
For years 7 to 9 Rebecca also runs Accelerated
Reader.
“My school has fortnightly library lessons for Years
7, 8 and 9,” said Rebecca. “During the school year
that pushes a lot of students to read, and they get in
the habit.”
Years 7 and 8 read silently, with a quiz to track their
progress. Year 9 students read in smaller groups,
tackling books like A Monster Calls, or Private
Peaceful to build independence.
Jane Collier, LRC Manager at John Taylor High School
near Burton-on-Trent also uses Accelerated Reader.
“Any student with a reading age of below 9.5 then
gets support from a teaching assistant, with the
help of sixth form students that are buddy readers,”
Jane said. “That works really well for both students
because sixth formers can put this time towards their
Duke of Edinburgh volunteering requirement.”
The co-educational academy caters for over 1,600
pupils aged 11–18, and all those in key stage 3 get ten
minutes at the start of each English lesson to read.
“So they are all expected to have a book and read it,”
said Jane. “There are also various reading challenges
I’m putting together to see if we can keep students
progressing throughout the year.”
Charlotte Taylor-Smith, Senior Librarian at Colston’s
School in Bristol, sends all students a suggested
reading list for the holidays.
“Sometimes there is a step back in the confidence
of some students when they come back from the
holidays,” she said.
Charlotte said the emerging readers in Years 2, 3 and
4 at the mixed independent school are most affected
by the summer break. To help combat this, parents
are sent three guides, for the junior school, pre-prep,
and early years foundation stage, signposting pupils
to suggested titles to read.
“We order them by genre with colour-coding for the
suggested reading age of the text,” said Charlotte,
whose school has roughly 800 pupils aged between
3 and 18.
“There are Year 6 suggestions, but it’s not a Year 6
list as such. We don’t want pupils to think they have
to read these books over the summer to be ready
for next year.
“It’s about enjoying reading and widening pupil’s
exposure to what’s out there,” Charlotte said. Each
list also gives details of local public libraries.
“If you are a librarian with a small budget,” Charlotte
said, “this is the kind of thing you can do quite easily.
You’re not required to buy anything new and it just
takes a bit if time to put together.”
Librarians can also encourage students to do the
Reading Agency’s free Summer Reading Challenge:
summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
14
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Feature
The Age of the Edupreneur
Richard Gerver
SLA President Richard Gerver reflects on the importance of having
entrepreneurial spirit to create a long term vision for education.
January is always a special month for me. Not
only is it the month of my son’s birth and
actually, mine, it is also the month I started
my life after headship. I left my headteacher’s
job fourteen years ago. Sitting here, writing
this now, the emotions – excitement and
fear – come flooding back. About nine months prior
to that last day, I had been at dinner with my friend
and mentor, the sorely missed Sir Ken Robinson. He
had been telling me for some time that I should join
him as a speaker and author. I remember thinking
that I could see what I could give to an education
audience, but had been hugely sceptical that I would
have anything to say to anyone beyond the school
gates. His reassurance that night, though, led me to
go home and hand in my notice. Nine months later,
on that final day, it really hit me. What on earth would
this primary school teacher have to say to a corporate
audience about anything?
That last day was one of the most emotional of my
life, and for the first time in my life I truly felt, as
I climbed into my car, that I was heading into the
unknown. It was an intoxicating mix.
Fourteen years on, I’m still here and despite the
havoc of COVID-19, I love my life: the excitement,
the unpredictability, and the diversity of it all.
I don’t feel scared anymore and I certainly don’t
worry about what I can offer audiences.
For the twenty years that I worked in schools I had
developed the feeling of inadequacy that I think
some of my colleagues have felt on occasion: the
feeling that somehow working in a school, as a
teacher, a librarian, or a teaching assistant, was not
like working in the “real world”.
Looking back, I smile. The truth is this. I have learnt
what many of you probably already know: great
educators – librarians, teachers and headteachers
– are great leaders. They possess human leadership
skills that are second to none. Most of my life
beyond education is spent telling people about
human leadership, based on my life as an educator.
It is of course, what you do every day, often without
even thinking about it.
For me, the future of education relies on us, as a
profession, to be confident in what we do, what
we can offer, and how we lead. Education is being
damaged in the modern political age by a ridiculous
rate of short term, reactive, policy and system
initiative implementations, usually driven by knee
jerk responses to a newspaper headline or the
advice of the latest Government ‘Special Advisor’. As
a result, I am finding it increasingly difficult to find a
country with a clear, long-term vision for education.
There is a vacuum of leadership and clarity that is
leading to the long-term damage of our children’s
global futures.
This vacuum needs to be filled, and quickly. I am
not all pessimism, though, as I believe it is an
opportunity for us all, as educators, to seize the
day again. We just need to be more confident and
explicit about what we do and what we believe.
As librarians, you (supported by the SLA) need
to come together and be louder, more confident,
and more entrepreneurial in your efforts. I have
learnt over the last few years working with visionary
organisations like Google, Microsoft, UK Sport
and Morgan Stanley, that it is an entrepreneurial
spirit that has the greatest impact on the success
of an organisation: people who grasp the agenda,
articulate a clear vision, develop a powerful brand,
and underline a commitment to a continuous
development that consistently guarantees the
products and services expected by an increasingly
sophisticated and demanding consumer.
If we stick to our profound sense of humanity and
service, mix it with a little of that entrepreneurial
spirit, develop a sense of brand based on a great
vision, and then we commit to selling it to the
consumers – our children – we will develop a
momentum that will override the archaic thinking
of our ponderous policy makers.
If I had a criticism of our profession, it is that we
have too easily, and too often, fallen into the trap of
simply complaining about the direction education
is being taken in by politicians; we haven’t been so
good about selling an alternative vision. Without
a doubt, though, I have learnt that educators are
potentially the very best leaders and guides in an
uncertain age, an age that needs to mix humanity
with innovation – the age of the edupreneur!
Richard Gerver is the
President of the School
Library Association and
is a world renowned
speaker and author. He was
previously a headteacher.
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
15

International Perspectives
Footnotes
1. Cfr. Istat, Spazi in casa e
disponibilità di computer
per bambini e ragazzi, «Istat
Today», 6 aprile 2020, p. 5,
www.tinyurl.com/tshd9kmt
2. www.istat.it/it/
files/2020/04/Spazi-casadisponibilita-computerragazzi.pdf
3. www.istat.it/it/
files/2019/12/2.pdf
4 L. n. 59/1997, art. 21; L. n.
440/1997; L. n. 3/2001, art.
117; L. 107/2015
5. Cfr. Giovanni Peresson,
Presentazione dell’indagine
AIE 2019 sulle
biblioteche scolastiche,
«Giornaledellalibreria.
it», 5 dicembre 2019,. See
also Cap. 5 La lettura e le
biblioteche nel contesto
scolastico in Centro
per il libro e la lettura,
Dall’emergenza a un
piano per la ripartenza:
Libro bianco sulla lettura
e i consumi culturali in
Italia (2020-2021), in
collaborazione con AIE
Associazione italiana
editori, Roma: Cepell, 2021,
tinyurl.com/e539ufbw.
6. www.istruzione.it/
scuola_digitale/progbiblioteche-scolasticheinnovative.shtml
& within
the Italian National Plan for
Digital Education, (Piano
Nazionale Scuola Digitale
— PNSD) and art. 5 of
the L. 15/2020 on reading
promotion.
7. www.
bibliotechescolastiche.com
Luisa Marquardt teaches
Library and Information
Science at Roma Tre
University. She is the current
Chair of the National
Commission on School
Libraries; Secretary of
the IFLA School Libraries
Section; Board Member of
the National Coordination
of Architecture Libraries;
Lifetime Member of the
International Association
of School Librarianship.
@lmarq.
New Year, New Life for Italian
School Libraries?
Luisa Marquardt
Luisa Marquardt from the library and information science
department at Roma Tre University talks about the challenges
facing the Italian education sector.
The Italian school system has faced
numerous challenges from the
Covid-19 pandemic, affecting many
aspects of learning and teaching.
Many students could not access
online teaching because of a lack of
space 1 and/or computers, or due to bad internet
connection 2 . Critical issues include the early
school leaving rate (13.5% in 2021 3 ) and declining
competences, especially at secondary level, in
Italian, Maths, History, and English, mostly among
students with poor socio-economic-cultural
conditions, and, in particular, in the southern
regions. The pandemic seems to have confirmed
the problems already present in the school system.
In such an environment, school libraries have faced
considerable problems, including closures and the
suspension of services and activities, the “conversion”
of a classroom into a warehouse of disused desks,
as well as experiments with new ways of providing
services (e.g., e-lending) and teaching support.
Between fragility and potential
The school library and the school librarian/
teacher-librarian are mentioned in Department
for Education circulars and projects, and reading
promotion initiatives. Nevertheless, they have
no legal status, and the position does not exist,
except in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano
where school libraries and librarians have been
mandatory since 1990. Schools are autonomous 4 :
investing (or not) in school library development is
up to each school. The quality of a school library
program can dramatically vary, leading to unequal
access to reading, information, and educational
opportunities. The limited average budget (0.2 new
titles per student, according to AIE 5 ) affects collection
development. More recently, institutional stimuli
were provided by the “Azione #24 – Biblioteche
scolastiche innovative” 6 . In general, the Ifla School
Library Guidelines and the Ifla/Unesco School
Library Manifesto constitute a landmark for schools
wanting to implement a school library.
School Library Networks
A national coordination of school library networks,
the Coordinamento delle Reti di Biblioteche
Scolastiche 7 , was launched in 2019 and legally
established in 2020, for people to exchange
experiences, ideas, and solutions to help guarantee
school library sustainability. In total, 17 networks
(comprising 275 schools) are currently members.
Education and training
Education and training in school-librarianship
is missing at a tertiary level. Therefore, specific
education and training provided by associations
are particularly valuable and well received. In 2021,
the “Forum del Libro” Association organized, in
collaboration with “Save the Children” NGO, and
delivered “Futuro Prossimo”, a free online course
focusing on reading and school libraries as a means
to fight educational poverty. The Italian Library
Association delivered an online course in school
librarianship June–July 2021, designed by its National
Commission on School Libraries.
New perspectives?
The close relationship between the quality of school
library services and the students’ learning outcomes
is clearly underlined by research. Functioning school
libraries means facilitating access to information,
reading, research and study; widening educational
and cultural opportunities; and bridging inequalities.
At the opening of the International Book Fair
2021 in Turin, on the 15th of October, “Sibis”, the
Innovative School Libraries portal was launched
and Patrizio Bianchi, the Minister of Education,
affirmed the need for school libraries. A month later
he announced the establishment of a ministerial unit
on school libraries and reading in order to coordinate
initiatives like a nationwide education and training
plan. Furthermore, as a sign of hope, some school
libraries reopened with a new look (such as the Plana
High school in Turin), as part of celebrations for the
International School Library Month or are being
established from the beginning.
16
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Current Conversations
Classroom Libraries Versus School
Libraries: Does It Have to Be a Choice?
Catherine Millar
Education Consultant Catherine Millar discusses some
of the issues involved in setting up resources in a school.
In order for students to develop a love of reading,
reading needs to be visible, and a big part of
visibility is being surrounded by high-quality
books. What bliss!
A school library provides a space where children
can mingle, talk about books, and be inspired
by what their friends are reading. The classroom
library, on the other hand, can be highly fought
over and mismanagement can lead to it becoming
somewhere simply to pick up a book without much
thought and read a bit of at a desk, often towards
the end of a lesson to fill time when children have
finished their work.
How can a classroom library support a wholeschool
library, and vice versa? The following ideas
can ensure that both are vibrant, well-used, and
well-loved resources.
• Stock rotation is an important part of this
interplay. Having the same books in a classroom
library for a year leads to bored children who
think they don’t like reading – there is a difference
between returning to the comfort of old favourites
after a break and not having fresh books to
choose from. Allowing each class to change their
classroom books regularly – say once a term –
leaves the books in a classroom long enough for
them to become familiar without losing their
lustre. The classroom library can then support the
school library in turn as children rediscover old
favourites from their younger years.
• As with every successful school endeavour, the
more engaged the children, the better. Pupil
voice isn’t a box to be ticked but should be
central to the school’s reading policy. Can the
children choose the selection from the school
library for their fellow classmates? This promotes
thoughtfulness and provides a real sense of
ownership, as well as opportunities to talk about
favourite books, authors, and genres before they
make the selection.
• Children love moving away from their classroom
and a trip to the school library is always exciting,
even if it happens every week. Timetabling the
library can be a challenge for big schools, though
it’s worth it for the positive impact on reading
attitudes that the library has. A small library
poses a similar challenge – too many children
for one space. Slots can be shortened so that
children can have exclusive access, either for the
whole class in a big school or for small groups in
a small space.
• The cost of renewing stock is a perennial problem
for squeezed budgets. Grants are available,
local supermarkets will often donate books, and
parents can sponsor a book to be in the library.
Rotating stock between the classroom and school
library is helpful in providing choice.
Sadly, lessons can’t all be undertaken in a school
library, and this is where a classroom library comes
into its own. Should it matter whether a library –
a collection of books to educate, enthuse, and
entertain pupils – is in its own bespoke space or in
the classroom? The two spaces can complement
each other and provide quite different experiences
for children.
Photo Credit: Canva.
Catherine Millar is an
experienced primary
teacher, assistant
headteacher, governor, and
educational consultant with
a passion for reading and
children’s literature.
@allicatski
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
17

Between the Library and the Classroom
Becoming Integral to the Educational Process
I write this from the perspective of a new year
in a new country (Guernsey), new school
(Blanchelande College), and a new role (Head of
Inquiry-Based Learning), so an added measure of
reflection is to be expected.
I am particularly mindful of Octavia Butler’s
warning in the Parable of the Talents (1988):
When vision fails/ Direction is lost.
When direction is lost/ Purpose may be forgotten.
When purpose is forgotten/ Emotion rules alone.
When emotion rules alone,/ Destruction…
destruction.
Why? Inquiry, as an instructional approach to
curriculum content, to which the library is integral,
provokes an emotional response. This is good,
insofar as emotion serves a purpose, and in the
case of education, a “transcendent and honorable
purpose” (Postman, 1996).
This is important for two reasons. Firstly, purpose
gives shape to resolve. I have long held that the
fundamental purpose of the school library is to
enable students to come to know and understand
the world and themselves in it through reading,
both non-fiction and fiction. This process of coming
to know and understand is a learning process,
and specifically an inquiry learning process. This
purpose, in turn, aligns the school library with
Research Highlights
the fundamental purpose of school – knowledge
and understanding – regardless of whether the
school, or the broader educational system in
which the school operates, favours an inquirybased
approach to teaching and learning or not.
In the service of this purpose, the school library
expresses its essential nature, and finds allies in
those colleagues who view the educational process
in the same way. The particular shape that my
resolve takes, then, and which is enacted through
the library programme, is to enable reading for
knowledge and understanding within an inquirybased
model of the learning process, and this
within the curricular constraints of UK GCSE and
A-Level qualifications. Having clear shape to my
resolve helps me to balance impossible demands
on my time, which goes a long way towards
ensuring a balanced library programme.
Secondly, purpose strengthens resolve. In choosing
to work in a school library, I am choosing to serve
a “transcendent and honorable purpose”. This lifts
my eyes above the struggles of today to the hope of
a better tomorrow – one that I strive towards with
likeminded colleagues, both near and far. In doing
so, I am preparing myself, my colleagues, and my
students for a future that will make demands of us
that the school library uniquely equips us to meet.
The revolution will not be televised.
The FOSIL Group is an
international community
of educators who frame
learning through inquiry,
which is a process
and stance aimed at
building knowledge and
understanding of the
world and ourselves in it
as the basis for responsible
participation in society.
Darryl Toerien
Reading
Given the number of children who are struggling with focus and
reading ability after the impact of the pandemic, this article from
the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) caught my eye. It
explains the importance of fluency, and gives some tips on how
developing fluency can be built into lessons – which would also
work as part of a library lesson. www.tinyurl.com/4vm2eaw5
There has been a range of interesting research published relating
to reading in the past few months. This article from the Journal
of Experimental Child Psychology looks into literacy within the
family and how that interlaces with familial risk of dyslexia. The
findings are interesting, highlighting again the importance of
shared reading for all families. www. tinyurl.com/2pc4yz25
Much research has been done about teachers’ knowledge of
modern children’s literature, but this new research from OUP
shows that two thirds of parents prefer to read books they
enjoyed as children. This may be for many reasons – familiarity,
sentimental value, etc., but it highlights again the important role
of reading or library leads in developing a reading culture across
the entire school community. www. tinyurl.com/ycyydn4s
Personal skills
Much of the work of the SLA recently has focused on library
staff as leaders; this article looks at how leaders discuss issues
and identify solutions. It may be of interest to those having
difficult discussions, or to those who are line managing a team
of their own. The framework for interpersonal skills mentioned
may also be worth reading. www. tinyurl.com/bdevmp2x
Careers
We have heard much about learning gaps created by the
Covid-19 pandemic, and this report focuses on the opinions
of students within the careers arena. It may prompt a
reconsideration of pupil library helper tasks, but could be
inspiration for a display on resources to support digital skills; it
could highlight the support you offer, or be a nudge to adjust the
planned task to support the areas these pupils feel like they’re
missing out on (if they feel the same in your context).
www. tinyurl.com/2p8btrxp
Education
Finally, the Foundation for Education Development released
their consultation report at the end of last year. This is a starting
block which lays out the roles and plans for the FED. Their
consultation found that future challenges for the education
system are likely to include the following: the future world of
work; productivity and climate change; globalization versus
localism; increased global competition and a post-Brexit Britain.
They have now published four national workstreams: a ten-year
vision for education, the structures of education, place based
approaches, and ways to embed equity and inclusion within
education. The full report is worth a read if you’re interested in
the future of the English education system. Find out more about
the FED here: www.fed.education
18
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Get Set for the Media and
Information Literacy Alliance
The Media and Information Literacy Alliance (MILA)
is a new initiative, co-sponsored by CILIP and the
CILIP Information Literacy Group, aimed at securing
greater recognition for information and media
literacy (MIL) in society at large. MILA was officially
launched during UNESCO’s Global MIL Week at the
end of October and has a website at www.mila.org.uk.
Why MILA, why now?
Information literacy (IL) has long been promoted
by school and academic librarians, but in the
UK, it has been poorly understood beyond the
information professions. Advocating for IL has
therefore been challenging; however, attitudes may
be starting to shift since the publication in July, of the
Government’s Online Media Literacy Strategy 1 , by
the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS). The Strategy’s focus is on media literacy –
but it makes extensive references to IL, particularly
in the context of addressing disinformation. And
crucially, the strategy, as well as recognising the
role of libraries, calls for increased collaboration
and coordination between stakeholders with an
interest in media literacy and IL. This is where the
opportunity for MILA arises.
MILA has already had valuable discussions with
DCMS and with the UK media regulator, Ofcom. Other
bodies with which the alliance has started engaging
include: the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice
at Bournemouth University, JCS Online Resources,
the National Literacy Trust, Newsguard UK, the
NHS Library and Knowledge Services, the Patient
Information Forum, the WEA, and Wikimedia UK.
MILA has also initiated its first two projects: the
production of its Media and Information Literacy
Framework; and the scoping of a systematic review
of IL research.
The MIL Framework 2 reflects MILA’s aspiration to
promote MIL by making it understandable across
everyday situations. To do this, the framework
identifies five lifelong aspirations:
• be informed • be healthy • be connected
• be empowered • be socially conscious
The framework is designed to be adapted to suit
individuals’ and organisations’ needs and strategies.
The second of MILA’s projects is to undertake a
systematic review to demonstrate the value and
impact of IL. A search on the Web of Science
database suggests that, since 1983, 5,550 peerreviewed
articles have been published on IL. There
is, therefore, no shortage of material to categorise
and analyse. We anticipate that the review should be
completed before the end of 2022. To get involved
visit our website.
Footnotes
1. www.gov.uk/
government/
publications/onlinemedia-literacy-strategy
2. www.mila.org.uk/news/
mila-framework
Dr Jane Secker FCLIP,
SFHEA, FRSA is a senior
Lecturer in Educational
Development at City,
University of London and
Chair of CILIP’s Information
Literacy Group.
Supporting School Libraries For 115 Years!
Together we celebrate. Together we're 'BETTER'
www.softlinkint.com
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
19

A View From …
… a primary school
Supporting Interventions
A librarian’s role in a primary school can be varied and
interesting, from simply managing a collection of books
to carrying responsibility for all reading initiatives, and a
plethora of things in between. I’ve had the opportunity this
academic year to take on some intervention groups, as a way
of supporting teachers with both high and low ability students
(as featured in the winter edition, ‘Turning Reluctant Readers
into Reading Champions’). I have two ‘book clubs’ running at
the moment, for Years 2 and 6, and they are both a complete
delight. Despite having a background as a teaching assistant,
I had never previously led an intervention group, so this has
been a learning curve for me as I get to grips with what works
and what doesn’t.
Despite its obvious curriculum-oriented basis, getting involved
in intervention groups (whether high or low ability) plays
strongly into the pastoral side of a librarian’s role, providing
the opportunity to work alongside children in both their
learning and the development of their wellbeing. I had never
seen one of my book club members smile until she was invited
to join us, and it has been a real privilege to see her come out
of her shell and participate in something that is both enriching
her education and bringing her joy.
If you’re thinking about ways in
which you can further support
the curriculum and reading
development in your school, there
are many brilliant resources to be
accessed – you don’t need to come
up with things off the top of your
head! The Reading Agency has a
wealth of resources for children’s
book clubs which can easily be
adapted for interventions, or
your teachers may well provide
you with resources. The great
thing about the book club format
is that, if you’re not confident
Rebecca Campling
is a primary school librarian
in Orton Wistow Primary
School, Peterborough
delivering content, you can allow discussion to drive the
sessions. Equally, however, as a librarian you are likely to have
a unique knowledge of and perspective on children’s texts,
and often have more flexibility in terms of activities than in
the classroom. You will also be more readily able to signpost
children to further reading, or topics of interest; additionally,
both working in small groups and being a step removed from
the classroom can encourage children to open up more than
they would in their usual setting. Trust your instincts, and
don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
… a secondary school
Reading Deprivation Is Not a Myth
I was a Year 9 Pupil Premium (PP) student, staring down
at an extract, begging my brain to make sense of it, willing
understanding through desperation. I went home devastated,
terrified of my own adversity of being unable to read fluently.
Jump forward two years, I collected my GCSE results; two Bs
stand out, English Language and Literature. I truly believe that
wrap-around care, one-to-one intervention and Reading for
Pleasure (RfP) activities, enabled me to be sitting here writing
this article.
Reading deprivation became a passion of mine. My MA in
Librarianship explored the social justice implications of
children’s access to literacy, analysing the correlation between
literacy and life expectancy and outlining inequalities for
disadvantaged children. Levy et al’s. (2014) research highlighted
a direct correlation between the importance of reading, writing
and literacy and positive social mobility, and Gilbert et al.
(2018) found that children from communities with the highest
vulnerability to literacy problems can have a decreased life
expectancy by up to 26 years. Compelled to do something, I knew
I had found my vocation: working toward ensuring all children
had the same life chances, through the gift of reading.
As a school librarian, reading deprivation took context. 53%
of our students are PP, 41% receive Free School Meals, and
baselining Year 7s identified that around 45% are below their Age
Related Expectation (ARE) for reading. Therefore, my link senior
leader, Zira Hanif, and I wanted to develop a reading programme,
which provides wrap-around care
for all:
• We developed data mapping
and analysis reporting to identify
students requiring catch-up
and implemented bespoke
interventions.
• We enhanced our library stock,
through grants, ensuring access
to an eclectic range of up-to-date
fiction and non-fiction.
Eleanor Booth
Librarian, John Smeaton
Academy
• We collaborated with charities
dedicated to providing equal opportunities to reading, who
ensured we were not only sharing stories in school but enabled
us to provide books in our students’ homes.
• We created a RfP road-map, including activities and events, to
create a flourishing culture of RfP.
Finally, we want to refurbish our Library, which has become a
knowledge-centre for independent reading and Forensic Reading
Lessons, and an established safe-space, but there is still more
to do. Whilst we recognise that no single intervention, activity,
or event will ensure our students achieve ARE for reading, we
have seen that the wrap-around care and culture of reading
we strive to achieve is improving the outcomes, life chances,
opportunities, and experiences for our students, something that
is incredibly close to my heart.
20
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

A View From …
… a sixth form
Welcoming students back to the LRC
Tamworth is a large market town 14 miles north east of
Birmingham. I have worked at Landau Forte Academy Tamworth
Sixth Form since March 2015. It was opened in Autumn 2011 and
benefits from new, purpose built facilities including a bright and
well equipped Learning Resource Centre.
Unfortunately, it was a Learning Resource Centre that was out
of bounds to students throughout the 2020/2021 academic
year. It has been lovely to welcome the students back to the LRC
this year and see it being used for its primary purpose. Before
lockdown, the LRC was a bustling place and quite noisy at times.
Students used the space between lessons rather than going off
site and it sometimes felt more like a social area than a library.
Now, due to a change of timetable, students come in for blocks
of time and use the LRC for quiet study. My main customers are
year 12 students and I am slowly building up a group of regulars.
I feel that the year 13’s are out of the habit of using a sixth form
library. In fact, thanks to Covid, they never had the chance to get
into the habit.
This is why I feel it is important to be as involved as I can with the
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The odd, pre-recorded
presentation that I did last year were not the same as being in
the classroom with the students. Being able to talk to them
about their choice of topic - the effects of crime seems to be a
particularly popular topic this year - and where I might be able to
offer help, is so important. So it has been wonderful to be able to
deliver all of my sessions in person this year.
I start with a general research talk first, reminding the students
of all the resources available to them, both online and physical
resources and I always plug our
local public library service. This is
followed by sessions on notetaking,
plagiarism and referencing.
Referencing may not be the most
exciting topic in the world but I was
speaking to an ex-student recently
who said he was able to teach his
fellow students at university how to
write their bibliographies thanks to
what he had learnt during his EPQ.
It was great to hear about library skills
‘in action’.
Sarah Smith
LRC Manager, Landau
Forte Academy Tamworth
Sixth Form
… an international school
Preparing for the new school year
The British School, Rio de Janeiro, is a two unit school, divided
into three sites located in different neighbourhoods in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. The two units cover from Pre-Nursery to Class 11,
with international curricula such as the International General
Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International
Baccalaureate (IB) for the last school years. The Urca site, where
our library is located, is dedicated to Classes 6 to 11, our so-called
Lower and Upper Seniors.
I have been working at TBS for over sixteen years since I received
my undergraduate degree in Library Sciences. Prior to that, I
worked as a teacher in Brazilian schools. During my time at
TBS, I got my master’s degree in Library Sciences and attended
courses like the IB DP/CP workshop ‘The role of the librarian’, in
Atlanta in 2019. All this experience and studies have equipped
me with the knowledge to lead the Urca library in a way that it is
an information centre as well as a comfortable and welcoming
place for the school community.
The Urca library, as I always say, is a ‘library with a view’, as
it’s located on the seventh floor of the main building. From
its windows, you can see the Christ Redeemer, part of the
Guanabara Bay, and the Rio-Niterói Bridge; not to mention the
Sugar Loaf around the corner. Although our collection is not a
huge one, we work closely with teachers and students, as well as
the curricula, in order to improve and update it regularly.
In Brazil, our school year begins in February and ends in
December, following the Brazilian schools’ calendar. So, before
we broke up for our summer holidays in December, we were
busy finalising some projects and planning for the new year. Our
end of year routine includes the election of the Book of the Year,
which we have decided to turn into
an Urca Library Book Award. It is also
the time when we choose the theme
of our next year’s Library Week,
through a student poll.
When planning for the year ahead,
we take the opportunity to look
closely at the collection and its needs,
by creating a carefully thought-out
booklist. We are also focused on
getting ready for the new school year,
preparing the library to welcome our
new students, staff, and parents.
Jaqueline Castro
Senior Librarian, The British
School, Rio de Janeiro
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
21

Frequently Asked Questions
answered by Lucy Chambers
I feel that staff and students do
not recognise the benefits of the
school library. Can you give me
some tips on how to promote
library activities?
1. You must publicise and advocate for the
library constantly. Discussing your skills
and impact is hard for some librarians
but essential.
2. Document your initiatives’ impact
on the school and students. Collect
qualitative and quantitative evidence to
share with key staff regularly.
3. Undertake training in impact
evaluation. See CILIP’s Impact Toolkit
(for members). See SLA website for tips:
www.sla.org.uk/impact
4. Attend and speak at staff or governor
meetings and parents’ evenings, read
OFSTED reports, work with staff to
set up initiatives to contribute to key
literacy and curriculum issues; how
does your initiative help solve a school
education issue? Contribute to the
School Development Plan.
5. Create a library brand statement and
logo to use on all communications.
6. Create a school website library page,
updatable with current initiatives and
impact details. Quotes from grateful
staff and students are valuable.
7. Promote initiatives via students, pupil
library assistants (verbal peer-to-peer
publicity is very effective), the school
website, the Library Management
System, social media (if the school
allows), etc.
8. Publicise the library throughout the
school community via displays, leaflets
and flyers, and online presence.
9. Write case studies for the Great School
Libraries campaign as advocacy for
school libraries. Read case studies on
the website for inspiration too:
www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk/
case-studies
I run a book club based on
reading and discussing a range
of books. Can you suggest some
creative ideas that I could use?
Offer challenges and activities to inspire
everyone, from keen to reluctant readers.
Structure sessions to incorporate
reading and exploring book genres, book
discussion, and related creativity.
1. Read the Reading Agency’s
Chatterbooks newsletter for booklists
on different genres, suggested activities,
publishers’ offers and training:
www. tinyurl.com/2p8kesdt
2. Shadow a national book award and use
the suggested activities on their website;
many publishers offer specific bookrelated
activities.
3. Create alternative versions of a chapter,
e.g. a 5-minute play to perform, a comic
strip, or a new story using the book’s
characters.
4. Research different topics and create
entries for a club encyclopaedia or a
large poster or display.
5. Play Top Trumps; create your own
versions using a range of book
characteristics or characters. Find a
simple template on Twinkl:
www.twinkl.co.uk
6. Play word-based board games, such as
Bananagrams, Junior Scrabble, etc., or
for older children, games with complex
written rules, such as Warhammer.
7. Buy book ‘Chat Packs’ about different
themed fiction from CILIP SLG and
work through the suggested discussion
points and activities:
www.tinyurl.com/4r8uebf5
8. Enter national creative writing
competitions or set up your own.
Students could run a competition for
the school, including publicity and
selecting the winners.
9. Run a school library magazine.
Everyone contributes to the various
sections. Interview staff about their
favourite reads, for example.
How can I arrange the library to
encourage reluctant readers?
What are some pros and cons
of genrefication?
If students find using the catalogue hard, it
is tempting to reorganise books, away from
Dewey for Non-fiction and alphabetical
order by author surname for Fiction.
There are other things to consider to make
your library more appealing without
reorganising it all.
1. Improve book display: face-forward
books in bays; picture books in
Kinderboxes (primary schools);
bookstands for display; Slatwall shelves
on the end of bays for changing displays
by genre or topic
2. You could rearrange Fiction by genre.
I do not advise this for Non-Fiction,
as Dewey puts the books in detailed
subject order
For: many students like certain genres
and familiar books, such as Fantasy or
Adventure stories
Against: It might stop some students
reading broadly; particular authors might
write books in several genres; many books
fall into several genres: if you only have
one copy, it is hard to put it in only one;
students must learn to use the catalogue:
it develops independent learning skills,
essential in secondary schools and further
education
Compromise: use genre labels: see Carel
Press www.carelpress.uk/spine_labels;
include genres in catalogue keywords;
create genres posters on Canva: www.
canva.com; highlight different genres
as part of a display; keep some genres
collections: eg books for dyslexic students;
an Empathy collection; Careers literature;
textbooks by broad subject; graphic
novels/manga etc; train students to use
the catalogue
Lucy now concentrates on
writing after 20+ years as a
primary school librarian.
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
23

Curriculum Links
Primary – Shakespeare
The Shakespeare Birthplace
www.shakespeare.org.uk/education/
schools/key-stage-2/
The Shakespeare Birthplace website
offers a diverse range of learning
activities that bring Shakespeare and
British history to life in practical and
creative ways. There are downloadable
resources.
Britannica
www.britannica.com/biography/William-
Shakespeare
Authoritative source for
Shakespearean facts about the life of
the Bard to start off your research.
RSC
www.rsc.org.uk/learn/young-people
Includes a ‘Homework Help’ for
young people, with access to teachers’
resources on a linked page.
BBC
www.tinyurl.com/32ycbkrm
The life and times of the playwright
and how to avoid the plague.
Walker video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyAkpZHnDpI
What’s So Special About Shakespeare?
A Walker video presented by Michael
Rosen in his indomitable style.
BBC Teach
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv7-nnUN5QI
Introducing Shakespeare BBC Teach.
With facts children will find amusing
and fascinating, showing clips of plays
with diverse actors.
Shakespeare For Kids
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bClqPEQflic
Shakespeare For Kids with the
backdrop of Stratford, explaining what
makes up a tragedy, what makes up a
sonnet and encouraging children to
think of similes.
William Shakespeare:
His Dramatic Acts
Andrew Donkin and Clive Goddard
(Illustrator)
9781407198125 2 Jan 2020 Scholastic
Takes a humorous look at the life,
work, and significance of Shakespeare
to appeal to all ages.
Shakespeare’s Stories
Samantha Newman, William Shakespeare
and Khoa Le (Illustrator)
9781839403163 1 Aug 2021 Arcturus
An illustrated anthology of 15 tales
from Shakespeare’s plays, retold to
enable easier understanding by a
younger audience.
Secondary – Maths
What’s the Point of Maths?
Clarisse Hassan (Illustrator)
9780241343524 2 Jan 2020 DK
Explains how the principles of maths
work and looks at examples of how
maths is part of our everyday lives.
The Maths Book
Matt Parker
9780241350362 5 Sep 2019 DK
An introduction to the theory of
mathematics to help us understand
patterns in everyday life, from nature to
computer technology.
Amazing Maths Jobs
Colin Hynson
9781526300119 28 Mar 2019 Wayland
Looks at the different kinds of careers
you can pursue if you are interested in
maths and wonder how it will help pay
the bills – apart from the adding up!
‘The Maths Show’, BBC Teach
www.tinyurl.com/2p8fzx3y
Mathematician and comedian Matt
Parker explains different approaches to
concepts such as ratio and proportion,
fractions, and probability with some
humour.
Ace Maths
www.youtube.com/c/AceMaths
Tutorials of many maths concepts from
key stage 3 to key stage 5. Quick whizzes
through different concepts, which
would help with revision, providing it
had already been taught.
‘10 Math Games That’ll Boost
Your Brain Power By 80%’
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RPgw-Vv4BU
Give your brain a workout. Not a lot of
time allowed, but by solving puzzles
regularly, you will improve tasks
requiring logic and critical thinking.
Maths Weekend England
www.tinyurl.com/ycks6z6m
From BBC Radio 4, therefore a sign in/
TV licence is needed. Maths as related
to the news such as stats on Covid-19
figures or the carbon figures of a
breakfast at COP26.
Education Quizzes
www.educationquizzes.com/gcse/maths/
‘60 fun GCSE Maths Quizzes for Rapid
Revision’ on topics such as angles or
decimals formulas, with explanations of
the answer.
Wales Online
www.tinyurl.com/bdhyujs2
15 questions taken from official GCSE
past papers, covering statistics, algebra,
and geometry. Try a practice run for fun!
24
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Dates for your Diary
MARCH 2022 APRIL 2022 MAY 2022
1st St David’s Day
3rd TSL posted out
3rd World Book Day 25th anniversary
11th – 20th British Science Week
8th International Women’s Day
12th Death of Anne Frank
17th St Patrick’s Day 2022
18th Comic Relief/Red Nose Day
20th World Story Telling day
21st World Poetry Day
21st – 27th National Shakespeare Week
27th Mothers’ Day UK
2nd International Children’s Book Day
(IBBY)
5th – 7th London Book Fair
7th World Health Day
11th – 13th LILAC: The Information
Literacy Conference
8th – 10th Federation Children’s Book
Groups Conference
17th Easter Sunday
22nd Earth Day
23rd World Book Night
23rd St George’s Day
SLA Information Book Award longlist
announced at the end of April
National Share-a-story month
Mental Health Awareness month
2nd – 8th Deaf Awareness Week
4th Star Wars Day
9th – 15th Mental Health Awareness Week
17th – 21st Walk to School Week
29th Elmer Day
31st SLA Information Book Award
Shortlist announced
TSL mailed out: 2nd June
AGM date: 6pm 15th September 2022
Do you have students that could benefit
from listening to audiobooks?
Listening Books provides an audiobook service for
children with an illness, disability, mental health
condition or SEN that impacts on their ability to read.
An easy-access resource suitable for use
at home or at school, with over
4,000 titles for children to listen to.
Find Out More
Telephone: 0207 407 9417
Visit: www.listening-books.org.uk/info
Email: info@listening-books.org.uk
KPC Libary Advert 88 x 130.indd 1 19/01/2016 17:25
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
25

Digital
How To... Exploring Google
Search Techniques
Searching for information can be frustrating
at times, especially when the keywords used
bring up irrelevant information. It can be a
minefield to search through. Research shows that
75% of people will not scroll past the first page,
therefore it is important to know what search
filters and techniques are available to use, to help
pinpoint what you are looking for.
In this article we explore three ways we can refine
our search techniques through the use of Google
Advanced Search and ‘Tools’.
1. Advanced Search using ‘site or domain’
and ‘file type’
In this first example, we examine searching for a
school social media policy. Rather than type ‘School
Social Media Policy’, using an Advanced Search, we
can search for a specific domain and file type.
2. Find the latest news
If you are looking for a policy that has been recently
updated, within Advanced Search, you can use
‘last update’, which can be found above ‘site or
domain’. This is also available on a general search
using ‘Tools’ (see below).
This second example shows a search result from
‘covid update hertfordshire’ was published 4 days
ago. However, you can find a more recent article
by selecting ‘Tools > Any time > Past 24 hours’. This
is particularly useful when trying to find a latest
update.
Written by Harmeet
Sahota, EdTech Consultant
and founder of www.
curriculumwide.co.uk
Twitter: @HarmeetSahota
In this instance we use ‘.sch.uk’ for the ‘site or
domain’ to ensure that the returned results will be
from a UK based school. as this is the domain that
was initially used by all schools (many still do). The
‘file type’ ‘.pdf’ is used to further narrow down the
search to ensure all returns are PDF documents
from a school website.
With a range of ‘file types’ to choose from, you can
also select from ‘.doc’ (a Microsoft Word document)
or ‘.ppt’ (a Microsoft PowerPoint) to look for
specific resources.
To explore colleges you can type ‘.ac.uk’ as the ‘site
or domain’, as this is the domain used by colleges as
well as universities.
3. High resolution copyright free images
In this third example, we look at finding high
quality images that are copyright free. When
creating marketing material, we can avoid low
resolution images by using Advanced Image
Search. This allows you to specify a minimum pixel
size. Alternatively, if using a general image search
you can select ‘Tools > Size > Large’, after your
initial search.
Furthermore, when creating marketing material,
it is important to respect copyright when using
images sourced from the web.
Using ‘Tools > Usage Rights’, you can amend the
license type and choose ‘Creative Commons
licenses’. The image results are usually available to
use for free; however, they require giving credit to
the image source.
26
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

JSTOR for Librarians
www.tinyurl.com/3vs97d5n
Digital
I’ve been using and promoting
JSTOR for 15 years, but I still learned
plenty from the 10 short, accessible
YouTube videos in this playlist. The
majority are less than 4 minutes long, and
the most recent also include captioning
(with occasional minor errors in the
transcription). There is some duplication,
so it’s more helpful to think of them as a
collection of standalone demonstrations
or tutorials, rather than as “lessons”.
I plan to add the following to the JSTOR
landing page on our intranet:
• ‘Find what you need quickly on
JSTOR’ [6:52]: A good, quick overview
of how to access the platform and how
to search – a good introduction for all.
• ‘Advanced search in JSTOR’ [7:47]:
A great standalone lesson for students
and teachers, covering how to modify
and refine searches for best results. It
also gives a good explanation of the
difference between Boolean operators
(AND, OR, NOT). I was delighted to
discover NEAR 10, for example, which
searches for separate keywords which
must be close together (within 10
words) in the text.
• ‘Saving what you find’ [2:56]:
How to cite, download, or use your
‘workspace’ to save content. Your
workspace is linked to your personal
account, which is free and easy to set
up – as explained in separate videos,
‘How to create a JSTOR account - for
anyone!’ [3:23] and ‘What’s the value
of a personal JSTOR account?’ [1:25].
• ‘Using your JSTOR workspace’
[3:12]: How to create folders and
subfolders, and add descriptions, to
organise saved content in your workspace.
I can see this being especially useful for
extended project qualification (EPQ) students
and those with coursework or extended
essays. It could also be helpful to teachers,
as workspace folders of text and images can
be shared. When you download a folder of
images, they are saved as a PowerPoint and
automatically include the information about
each image and any notes you may have
added.
JSTOR’s Text Analyzer tool offers an alternative
way to search. Users can upload or copy and paste
text (their own, or something else they find) to
analyze, and the tool will identify the key terms
to suggest relevant content on JSTOR. There’s
great potential here for helping students who are
new to academic research to better understand
vocabulary and create better search terms. This
tool is covered by the longer video, ‘Building
search skills with JSTOR’ [25:08]. A three-minute
video shows teachers and librarians how to use
the Text Analyzer to quickly create and share a
reading list, including on a library management
system (LMS).
For librarians/administrators, there are also two
short videos on how to access usage statistics
for JSTOR and Artstor (an art image library now
available as an additional subscription via the
same platform).
This collection is just what I have been looking
for to help staff and students get the most out of
what is one of our most expensive, but also most
valued, online subscriptions.
Terri McCargar is the
librarian at Latymer Upper
School in London.
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
27

Digital
Using Technology and
Video Game Playing to
Support Literacy
National Literacy Trust Research Manager Irene Picton shares
the findings from recent research exploring how digital tools
and resources can engage young people with literacy.
Using technology to support young
people’s literacy: what does the
research tell us?
Much of my work focuses on the impact
of technology on literacy, looking at how
digital tools and resources may support
or interact with literacy, or indeed, how they are
changing what it means to be literate.
I liked that you could do tasks on iPads
and books. It made me more interested
in the book and I enjoyed reading it.
Pupil comment
Footnotes
1 OECD (2015). The ABC of
Gender Equality in Education:
Aptitude, Behaviour,
Confidence. www.tinyurl.
com/5n8ys7en
2 OECD (2015a). Students,
Computers and Learning:
Making the Connection.
www. tinyurl.com/
2p9e73ke
3 Clark, C., & Picton, I.
(2019). Children, young
people and digital reading.
London: National Literacy
Trust.
Irene Picton is a research
manager at the National
Literacy Trust, where she
has worked since 2004,
initially running book gifting
projects before moving into
the research team in 2014.
@ispy7
In 2019, we started to look at the role that
technology could play in addressing the gender
and disadvantage gap in young people’s literacy
attitudes and outcomes. In 2014, international
research found that when assessments of 15-yearolds’
reading took place on screen, the gap in
performance between boys and girls narrowed
significantly (OECD, 2015 1 ). Researchers suggested
this might relate to boys’ increased familiarity with
digital reading through video game playing (OECD,
2015a 2 ). We were keen to use our own national
surveys to explore this further.
In 2019, data from our Annual Literacy Survey
showed that more disengaged boy readers read
fiction on a screen than their more engaged peers
(Clark and Picton, 2019 3 ). In addition, when asked
what they choose to read on screen outside school,
young people most often mentioned texts linked
with video game playing. This inspired a new
survey exploring video game playing and wider
literacy attitudes and behaviours.
Video game playing and literacy
In late 2019, more than 4,500 young people
aged 11 to 16 responded to our survey on
video game playing and literacy, developed in
partnership with the Association of UK Interactive
Entertainment (Ukie) and Penguin Random
House Children’s. To highlight just a few findings,
four in five (79%) video game players said they
read game-related material regularly and two
in three (65.0%) said playing games helped
them imagine being someone else. For the least
engaged readers, almost three in four (73%) said
playing video games helped them to feel part of
a story, and many young people felt that playing
video games helped them to communicate better
with their friends.
In response to these findings, we put together
a variety of free resources for schools, libraries,
parents, and young people, including a list of
video games that support literacy, inspiring reads
for video game fans, and signposts to great free
resources from the National Videogame Museum
and Digital Schoolhouse. You can find all these
resources here: www.tinyurl.com/42e6tkux
Spotlight on Litcraft
During this time, we also worked with Professor
Sally Bushell and James Butler from Lancaster
University to evaluate a pilot project using their
Litcraft platform to engage upper primary-aged
pupils with reading and writing. The platform
recreated the world of Kensuke’s Kingdom, by
Michael Morpurgo, in the Minecraft platform and
included literacy-related tasks within the game
and supporting resources. Participants reported
increased reading enjoyment, frequency and
confidence, and teachers highlighted how the
project had helped pupils to visualise the story
and understand setting and characterisation.
The Litcraft project has also been run successfully
in public libraries. Visit www.lancaster.
ac.uk/chronotopic-cartographies/litcraft/
for more information.
28
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Digital
EdTech Horizons
Founder of 10Digits AB Consultancy, Jonathan Viner discusses
upcoming digital programs and platforms in the education sector.
Education technology (EdTech) can be a great
way to engage students and reduce schools’
admin workload. It has recently come to the
fore as schools have battled to continue lessons
during the pandemic. But how can it best support
school librarians to broaden access to learning
and encourage reading development? Here are
five products that could make a real difference in
your school!
Giving schools a clear indication of learners’
reading ability is a great place to start. Lexplore
uses artificial intelligence and eye tracking
technology to help schools measure this more
accurately and more quickly. Their digital
assessment analyses every student and provides
actionable data highlighting potential barriers
to fluency. An expanding package of classroom
interventions supports all students to improve
their reading skills.
Daily reading sessions also play an essential role
in raising achievement. Digital services such
as Polylino from ILT Education help schools
to give the youngest learners access to high
quality e-books, wherever learning takes place.
Polylino’s virtual library contains hundreds of
picture-, fiction, and non-fiction books with
English narrations. Students with English as an
additional language (EAL) – and their families
– can also build their reading confidence with a
growing collection of titles narrated in dozens
of languages.
English language learners, students with special
educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and
even high achievers could also benefit from
the literacy scaffolds provided by Texthelp’s
Read&Write. Its digital tools support all students
to progress, whether they’re using its text-tospeech
functionality to help with word recognition
and pronunciation or its powerful grammar and
spell checkers. Importantly, this excellent literacy
support is free for teachers.
Primary schools in England can access more
subsidised support through the National Tutoring
Programme, whose funding focuses on helping
“those whose education has been most impacted
by the pandemic.” FFT’s ‘Tutoring with the
Lightning Squad’ is an approved intervention
which runs small group sessions with a tutor
to improve reading skills. These are combined
with a wealth of supporting online materials
and resources. Detailed online reporting is also
available for teachers and school leaders showing
pupils’ progress and reading attainment. A full list
of all NTP approved programmes is available at
www.nationaltutoring.org.uk.
For most school librarians, their library
management system is the key EdTech that
supports them all year. Market-leading solutions
such as Softlink’s Oliver Library Software
help to record books issued to learners and to
locate titles available in the library. Oliver can
be customised to individual school settings and
helps release staff from admin tasks to prioritise
supporting students.
Most EdTech companies are genuinely focused on
helping schools and teachers to improve learning
outcomes. So, if you want to know how your library
management system could connect the library to
the wider curriculum, start by asking your supplier
for help or for relevant case studies showing how
other schools tackled the same problem.
If you’re still not sure where to start, then don’t
miss BETT 2022 on 23 to 25 March at ExCeL
London. It’s the best way to review new solutions
and to see the difference EdTech could make to
your school.
Jonathan Viner is the
founder of 10Digits AB, an
independent consultancy
that provides actionable
insight and hands-on
support to education
entrepreneurs. He also
publishes the fortnightly
Nordic EdTech News
newsletter and is a
regular commentator,
speaker, and writer on
global EdTech trends.
@jonathanviner
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
29

Digital
Twitter
Science Themed
Social Media Accounts
By Samantha Letters
Stemettes @Stemettes
From revision to mentors and careers, this relatable
and inspirational feed shows that girls are doing
STEM. A monthly Teachers Digest provides
resources and activities.
Learning at the Science Museum Group
@learningSMG
Resources and CPD for primary and secondary
to create inspiring learning experiences.
Great Science Share for Schools @GreatSciShare
Join this campaign encouraging primary
and secondary pupils to share their science
questions, with a guide to child-led science.
Primary Science Teaching Trust @pstt_whyhow
This organization wants to see excellent
science teaching in every primary
classroom in the UK. This shares a range
of resources, CPD and ideas to use in the
classroom as well as links back to content
on their website.
Natural History Museum @NHM_London.
This shares the latest news about scientific
discoveries and research in the natural
history space. Particular highlights
include videos about more obscure
species in the animal kingdom, which
could be used in the classroom or to compliment
independent study.
Royal Institution @Ri_Science
This is a charity which aims to inspire everyone
to think more deeply about science. Follow this
account for an element of the week, news and
updates on the RI’s science talks, and demos which
are also available on YouTube.
Brian Cox @ProfBrianCox
Professor Cox had to feature somewhere … From
the Professor of Particle Physics at The University
of Manchester and The Royal Society Professor for
Public Engagement in Science. Whilst unsuitable
for younger pupils, this keeps you up to date
with what’s happening in science (and can be
very funny). This could inspire further reading/
research for sixth form students or those looking
to apply to study physics at university.
Science Friday @scifri
This provides a range of entertaining and
educational stories about science, scientists,
technology, and scientific discovery. Content
covers anything from natural sciences, biology,
chemistry, and physics, and includes both historical
information and discussions around contemporary
issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Samantha Letters is the
librarian at Davenies prep
school, with a background
in public libraries and
historical research. She is
keen to share her love of
reading through individual
recommendations, access,
and choice. She can’t
resist a bookshop and
spends too much time
on Instagram looking for
display inspiration.
Instagram
NASA @nasa
Colliding galaxies, satellite images,
and live launches – this site has
stunning images to delight and
enthuse pupils.
BAScience @scienceba
Science practical demonstrations
never looked as fun as Brompton
Academy makes them –utterly
engaging for GCSE pupils.
New Scientist @newscientist
For what’s new in science and why it
matters, Instagram provides a better
opportunity than the magazine to
enjoy the images, from vaccines to
human brain cells playing Pong.
Imperial College London
@imperialcollege
Inspire pupils with a welcoming
look at life and research at the
UK’s leading science university.
Emilia Angelillo
@emilia.science
This highly qualified science
technician aims to make
children passionate about
science and having watched
her hot ice reel, I’ll be
following her.
Dr Jo Science Solutions
@drjoscience
Dr Jo is a chartered
science teacher who runs
online science events for
schools, and offers free
resources, including
seasonal activities.
STEM Learning
@stemlearninguk
Follow for access to
resources (some free
and some available
for purchase) and
CPD, including
subject groups where
teachers can contact
scientists for support
and advice.
30
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Digital
Three from YouTube – French
The Perfect French
with Dylane
www.youtube.com/c/
TheperfectfrenchwithDylane
Dylane has a website which promotes her
French course books, a blog, and the courses
she offers. Her YouTube channel has step-bystep
instructional videos on how to use French
in conversation, writing, and building a French
vocabulary. Most of the videos are between 6 and
12 minutes long and can be watched through her
playlists; or you can start with ‘Speaking Practice
for Beginners’ and work through some shorts on
her different courses. Her style of teaching is very
precise and instructive, which makes it simple
to pronounce and practice the French word
sounds. The instructions are visual, with the words
appearing on the screen as she teaches them,
making it easy to start learning the language with
her guidance.
Learn French with
frenchpod101.com
www.youtube.com/c/frenchpod101
Frenchpod.com is a website which guides learners
through conversational French, from beginner
to advanced, in a series of lessons. The YouTube
channel of the same name streams lessons through
videos which are broken down into sessions, such
as French words and expressions, French speaking
practice, and 720 French words for everyday
life. Most of the videos are around 5–10 minutes
in length. In the video ‘Introduction to French’,
Alisha and Cordia explain why you should learn a
new language and how to get started. They show
some French words already commonly in use in
the English language and then start teaching with
basic conversational phrases, such as thank you
and thanks a lot. For somebody new to the French
language, this is an informative and interactive way
to recap the basics or learn from the beginning.
French with Mr Innes
www.youtube.com/c/FrenchwithMrInnes
This channel is all about learning French in a fun
and interactive way. Mr Innes teaches French
in videos of 5–20 minutes and they are divided
into categories such as weather, food and drink,
seasonal (such as Christmas), and French basics.
Each video includes a phrase of the day which is
repeated multiple times, so it is easy to remember.
Students will find these videos very instructive
when watched alongside what they are learning
in the classroom or to practice their French when
reviewing a topic they have learned. Mr Innes
often uses props and visual aids to complement his
learning style, which makes the lesson memorable.
Beth Khalil is the LRC
Manager/Literacy
Coordinator NET Thorp
Academy. She has been a
librarian for 30 years and
her passion is encouraging
young people to discover a
lifelong love of reading.
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
31

Digital
There Websites for Revision
BBC BITESIZE
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Barbara Band is a chartered
librarian with over thirty
years’ experience working
in a wide range of schools;
an international speaker,
writer, and trainer, she offers
consultancy services on
all aspects of librarianship
and reading. When not
campaigning for school
libraries, she can be found
reading, knitting, or painting.
The BBC Bitesize website is recognised as being one
of the best, and is recommended by many teachers
and librarians. It is easy to navigate, clear and
uncluttered, covering primary, secondary and post-
16 curriculums for all four nations. Text is broken
down into manageable chunks and the site has
great visual appeal. There are learning and revision
resources for each curriculum subject with quizzes,
games, videos and other tools, and students’
progress can be saved. The secondary section has
courses that take you through each topic one step
at a time. The home page includes picks of the
week and links to topical sections. For example, in
December these included: ‘Happy Holidays – the
story of Christmas day and how it is celebrated’;
and ‘how Christmas has changed during the past
200 years’. Support collections cover wellbeing,
tips for revision, and study support. There is also a
huge range of videos for classroom use. It is worth
browsing the site to discover what it contains.
STUDYWISE
www.studywise.co.uk
StudyWise is an exam revision company; their
website offers a gateway to a wide range of free
revision resources. Covering 11 GCSE and 10
A-Level subjects, the site provides generic revision
notes as well as resources aimed at the three
main exam boards – Edexel, AQA, and OCR; it
is a very comprehensive site containing a lot of
information and links to other sites. Within each
subject area there are the following: revision notes;
videos; links to other revision sites specific to the
subject; and past papers with mark schemes and
examiners reports. For example, within GCSE
English Language you can find advice on language
and gender, language and technology, and essay
writing tips. Articles are short and easy to absorb
and there is a useful tool that enables students
to create their own revision timetable. The only
disadvantage is the pop-up ads, which can be
annoying, but the number of external links listed
makes this a very useful website.
S-COOL: THE REVISION
WEBSITE
www.s-cool.co.uk
This is a very simple and orderly website that
would appeal to students who are easily distracted
and need something more basic. The home page
features tabs for exploring GCSE and A-Level
subjects. Under each subject there are three steps
– ‘Revise It’, ‘Test It’ and ‘Remember It’; the latter
two require free registration to access the question
banks and revision guides. Under the ‘Revise It’ tab,
each subject is broken down into topics. All pages
have the same recognisable layout. Key words
and terms are highlighted in bold, and there are
animated diagrams and photos. In addition, the
site contains articles on revision help, dealing with
exam stress and anxiety, and managing wellbeing.
32
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

GREAT BOOKS FOR ALL AGES
from quartokids!
3-7 Years picture books
BLue badger
978-0-7112-6751-0
FEB 22 | PB
My Own Way
978-0-7112-6584-4
FEB 22 | HB
Bella Loves Bugs
978-0-7112-6560-8
APR 22 | PB
Billy Loves Birds
978-0-7112-6556-1
APR 22 | PB
5+ poetry
Fairy Garden
978-0-7112-7176-0
APR 22 | PB
My Beautiful Voice
978-0-7112-4831-1
May 22 | PB
Flooded
978-0-7112-7676-5
MAY 22 | HB
Poems Aloud
978-0-7112-6392-5
JAN 22 | PB
Little People, BIG DREAMS
5+ non-fiction
12+ non-fiction
Amanda Gorman
978-0-7112-7069-5
FEB 22 | HB
Florence Nightingale
978-0-7112-7077-0
MAR 22 | HB
A World Full of
Journeys
978-0-7112-5617-0
FEB 22 | HB
It Starts with a Bee
978-0-7112-7033-6
APR 22 | HB
Here and Queer
978-0-7112-6473-1
MAY 22 | PB
Twitter @quartokids www.quartoknows.com Instagram @Quartokids
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
33

Books: 7 & Under
Averiss, Corrinne
A Song in the Mist
Illustrated by Fiona Woodcock
Oxford Children’s Books
2021, pp30, £11.99
9780192772077
Friendship. Music. Panda
This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about
friendship. The story follows a very shy panda called
Chi, who loves to listen to the sounds of the forest
and one day hears a new, musical sound which she
follows, discovering it comes from a boy and his
bamboo flute. Spotted by the boy, Chi runs back to
her safe space in the forest but the boy decides to
follow Chi. He gets lost along the way and drops his
flute. Chi will need all her courage if she is to help
the lost boy.
This is such a heart-warming story looking at
the power of friendship no matter what we look
like or which language we speak. It also shows
children who may be shy what can happen if you
try new things or help other people. The evocative
illustrations and use of different angles and panels
make this book a delight to share. Using bamboo
flute music while reading could enhance an already
exceptional picture book.
Stephen Leitch
Barkla, Charlotte
All Bodies are
Good Bodies
Bright Light Books
2021, pp22, £9.99
9781760503932
Body. Acceptance. Diversity
The little girl with red hair bunches tells us all about
why she loves different parts of the body: hands,
eyes, noses, hair, mouths, arms, legs, ears, and
tummies, and she tells us this in fun rhymes. About
mouths, she says, ‘Big smiles, small smiles, crooked
ones too – frowns are smiles that forgot what to do.’
The illustrations of children showing off their
prowess with their various body parts contain plenty
of children with disabilities as well as those with
different skin colours, and all of them are learning
acceptance of others unlike themselves. The activity
going on is amazing! Funny too. Excellent for key
stage 1 and younger.
Elizabeth Schlenther
Bellon, Teresa
We Got This!
A Book about
Resilience
Bright Light Books
2021, pp24, £7.99
9781760509224
Families. Resilience. Resolution
This board book gives us lots of ways of helping
children learn resilience in everyday life. The little
boy in the story is facing a busy day, and when
things go wrong, it is difficult to accept, for instance,
that there is no cereal for breakfast, or he can’t have
the library books he wants, or his friend has a fall.
There is always another way of coping, though, and
clever mum and dad find it, averting a meltdown.
Lovely colours, with basic geometric shapes, show
children and families enjoying life in general. The
repetition of the words, ‘we got this’ will appeal too.
A joy to handle and a great teaching tool for the very
young – also their parents and carers!
Elizabeth Schlenther
Bently, Peter
Dogs in Disguise
Illustrated by John Bond
HarperCollins Children’s Books
2021, pp30, £12.99
9780008469146
Dogs. Undercover. Fun
No dogs allowed! In Dogs in Disguise, the authors
have created this wonderful idea. A world where
dogs are not permitted to do many things, so they
dress up as humans instead, in all kinds of wonderful
disguises. They use these disguises to gain access to
all kinds of places, from cafes to swimming pools,
the book even ends with a dog going into space.
Perhaps one intention of the author is to stir up
children’s imaginations. Perhaps they might have
seen dogs in disguise without knowing it?
Written in rhyme, it is full of fantastic puns and made
me chuckle a number of times. This very fun book,
with equally fun pictures to accompany the rhymes,
will certainly enhance children’s awareness of
different dog breeds.
This book may be a little tricky to read, especially
for younger children or children who have difficulty
reading. The many pictures, however, mean that
whatever a child’s reading ability they can still enjoy
the book being read to them and will most certainly
find the pictures entertaining.
Sarah Taylor
Benziman, Naama
Lenny and Benny
Green Bean Books
2021, pp48, £11.99
9781784386221
Feelings. Conflict. Friendship
Based on a traditional Jewish story
derived from Hebrew scriptures, this is a morality
tale featuring two anthropomorphic rabbits. When
Lenny, jumping champion of the forest, is outjumped
by new friend Benny, he furiously accuses Benny of
cheating and lying. Lenny stubbornly ignores Benny’s
attempts to make up. Then Lenny mistakenly receives
an invitation to Benny’s birthday party. Hoping for
reconciliation, Lenny attends, but Benny rejects
Lenny’s pleas to be friends again. Lonely months pass
until Benny finds a reminder of their time as friends
and the final page shows the rabbits jumping together.
Award winning author-illustrator Naama Benziman
uses just two colours – red and blue – throughout,
with each rabbit represented by one colour in both
illustrations and text. Beautifully poignant, childlike
pencil drawings eloquently convey the rabbits’
emotional state.
This small picture book is useful for sharing with
younger children to explore how our feelings
and behaviour affect others, highlighting the
destructiveness of envy, anger, and resentment and
the power of kindness, forgiveness, and friendship.
Lynn Marshall
Box, Fifi
Minty Mae Gray
and the Strangely
Good Day
Illustrated by Freda Ciu
Bright Light Books
2021, pp32, £9.99
9781760508722
Self-esteem. Body positivity. Bullying
When Minty is teased for her facial features by a
girl at school, she comes home feeling down. As
she goes to her bedroom and curls up on the floor,
one of her drawings pinned to the wall comes
to life and takes her on a journey through an art
book, where she meets artists and muses who are
also not happy with their appearance. As Minty
encounters them, she cannot understand their
unhappiness with their appearance, as she sees
their features as something to feel positive about.
Minty helps them to see that too, and eventually
sees it for herself in her own appearance.
The rhyming text makes the book very fast-paced.
This could be a jumping off point for PSHE lessons
on celebrating differences in appearance, as well
as bullying and teasing, and art lessons as we are
introduced to Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, plus the Mona
Lisa, and Botticelli’s Venus. Chiu’s illustrations are
full of life and reminiscent of children’s illustrations,
fitting perfectly with the story.
Stacey Matthews
34
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 7 & Under
Buti, Lateefa
Hatless
translated by Nancy Roberts
Illustrated by Dunia al-khatib
Darf Publishers Ltd
2021, pp34, £7.99
9781850779995
Change. Bravery. Innovation
This is a delightful picture book which gently
encourages children to think independently and
challenge traditions and society with innovation
and creativity.
The nameless heroine is born into a society where
everyone wears hats that cover the whole of their
heads and face – so they cannot see the world
around them. She starts to wonder what is outside
her hat. Gathering all her bravery, she takes off her
hat and starts to see the wonders of the world. Of
course, the rest of society don’t like the fact she
has taken off her hat until she encourages them to
think differently.
A lovely look at the small changes we can all make
in our society – colourfully illustrated by Dunia
al-Khatib. A gentle reminder that we can all make
changes.
Tricia Adams
Capetti, Antonella
How Beautiful
Illustrated by Melissa Castrillion
Greystone Kids
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781771648530
Nature. Beauty. Curiosity
A most exquisitely illustrated
tale, following the journey of a caterpillar who
wants to find out the true meaning behind the
word ‘beautiful’. Each turning of the page brings in
new characters from the forest, each giving their
own definition.
Just as he thinks he knows the answer, a blackbird
swoops in to correct what each creature has said.
Frustrated and feeling like he will never find out, in
the end it is revealed. This is a well-written, poetic
story that has much to offer the reader.
The pictures, originally created using five graphite
pencil layers, have a simple, yet rich and nostalgic
feel, and their colour and tone draw the reader
in. Each part of the story offers opportunities for
children to think philosophically and creates an
atmosphere of awe and wonder when read aloud.
As a translated story, it brings the wider world into
the classroom, and can be used to promote global
citizenship through shared experiences. Inspirational
for art, PSHE, or science lessons, and ideal for
reading for pleasure as it is a captivating read.
Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves
Chancellor, Deborah
Polly Bee
Makes Honey
Illustrated by Julia Groves
Scallywag Press
2021, pp32, £10.99
9781912650705
Bees. Life Cycle. Nature
For anyone who would like to teach children about
the natural world, wants support for that part
of the curriculum, runs a gardening club, or just
loves nature, this is the perfect picture non-fiction
title. Life cycles are an important aspect of the
curriculum, and bees are an essential part of the life
cycle. They are a species of small animal that we
need to ensure children understand so they can help
us protect this small yet hugely significant creature.
Follow Polly Bee as she flies to flowers, finds pollen,
nectar and makes honey. Many children may not
even realise how we get honey, that sweetest of
nectar in a jar. This book will introduce them gently
to the idea of where food comes from and how we
all play a part in making sure that continues. With
few words and plentiful bright bold illustrations, this
book is charming. Add to this the excellent selection
of things to do when reading the book, and the
explanation of bees at the back, and we have a
winning formula.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Crossan, Sarah
Fizzy and the Party
Illustrated by Nicola Colton
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp48, £4.99
9781472970985
Family. Growing-Up.
Responsibilities
Fizzy represents young children who want to be
grown-up. With her unmistakably fiery hair and
personality, Fizzy takes us on a journey to next door
where it is cakes, bakes, and fireworks galore. The
only problem is, it is Fizzy’s bedtime.
Fizzy’s vibrant and vivacious character leaps off
each page with the very noticeable transformation
of Fizzy’s ever-growing foxy hair. Crossan’s use of
language is noteworthy, with similes and metaphors
that are transferrable to any classroom discussion.
The difference in Fizzy’s mother and Mrs
Crumbleboom can also be used in discussion. Mrs
Crumbleboom is Fizzy’s extraordinary neighbour
who has invited young Fizzy to her party next door.
Fizzy and the Party is a pocket-size tale of one
mischievous little firecracker, where young
readers can engage and relate to Fizzy’s yearning
for excitement and adventure in the face of an
impending bedtime, yet there are also carefully
placed messages of responsibility and positive
relationships throughout this charming story.
Imogen Blundell
Dahl, Sophie
The Worst
Sleepover
in the World
Illustrated by
Luciano Lozano
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781406384413
Friendship. Parties. Humour
Ramona and her sister Ruby have spent all week
excitedly planning the best sleepover in the whole
world. Plans included dancing, games, stories, and, of
course, a huge midnight feast! However, when their
friend Gracie arrives for the sleepover, things don’t
quite turn out as Ramona expected. Gracie doesn’t like
anything Ramona has planned – she is a very fussy girl
indeed. Ramona declares the sleepover a disaster of
galactic proportions. Can a very tired and bedraggledlooking
mum save the day?
Children will love poring over the busy, colourful
illustrations and there are little details on every page to
make them laugh. Adults will certainly relate to mum
and undoubtedly also find a great deal of humour in
the situation. There are a few large blocks of text, so
younger readers may require some support if they
want to read independently. This is a wonderful book
for sparking conversations about when things haven’t
turned out as expected, but are usually okay in the end.
Beth Jenkinson
Davies, Benji
Bizzy Bear
Breakdown Truck
Nosy Crow
2021, pp10, £6.99
9781788008976
Interactive. Early Years.
Travel
When the Rabbit family’s car breaks down, Bizzy
Bear comes to their rescue and young readers
are invited to help him in his task. One of a series,
this interactive board book is sturdy enough for
little hands, with sliders and tabs to push and pull,
involving children in the story.
Told through minimal text with rhyme and
repetition, the story encourages involvement and
the bright colourful pictures are packed with detail
to explore and talk about. This is a perfect package
for early years being lots of fun but also providing an
opportunity for learning, both new vocabulary and
more about the world around them. There are some
lovely touches, such as Bizzy’s personalised number
plate, and the animal characters are inclusive
in nature, for example an elephant is shown in
a wheelchair.
A lovely little book for building confidence and
familiarity with stories and a stepping stone
to reading.
Anne Thompson
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
35

Books: 7 & Under
Deacon, Alexis
Ergo
Illustrated by Vivian Schwarz
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp36, £12.99
9781406394030
Chick. Exploration. Unknown
The story begins with two huge eyes staring out
at the reader. This is Ergo, the little yellow chick
inside her egg, who has woken up and is ready to
explore her world. She notices her toes, wings, beak,
and legs. Each new discovery is mirrored in the
illustrations. Did she live in such a small world?
‘I am the world and the world is me.’
But then, she sees a wall and wonders if it is another
part of her. She pushes against it, then the sound
of bumps from outside show that there must be
something else beyond her world ...
This story is for all ages as it works on different
levels, including the philosophical.
Adults and children are encouraged to dream, to
be curious and adventurous, take risks and explore
the unknown. They can ask big questions just as
Ergo does.
The interactions between Deacon’s text, Schwarz’s
illustrations, and the typography succeed brilliantly.
The story is simply told with humorous touches. It is
deeply thought-provoking – an outstanding book!
Lee Giddings
Douglas, Ian
Story & Truth
Illustrated by Ben Javens
How Brave is the Wren
2021, pp32, £9.99
9781838482503
Traditional. Friendship. Storytelling
With the feel and look of a traditional tale, this
charmingly illustrated yet simple narrative on
the themes of storytelling, truth, friendship,
and community is the perfect introduction to
discussions around the deeper meanings in the
stories we read and are told.
This story was gifted to Ian Douglas by his mentor
Taffy Thomas, with both telling the tale in the true
tradition of storytelling around a campfire for
many years. The young character Story is always
welcomed behind every door he knocks on, with
the generous exchange of tasty food, drink, and
hospitality for his enthralling stories. The old lady
Truth, however, also a teller of tales, is turned away
at the very same hostelries, as not everyone wants
to hear the truth. When they join forces, and Story
welcomes Truth into his tales, we are asked to think
about the truth in the stories we are told, and they
are both welcomed from that moment forward.
The illustrations by Ben Javens are perfect for this
beautiful book and give it the heritage feeling it
warmly deserves.
Jenny Griffiths
Doyle, Malachy
Molly and the
Shipwreck
Illustrated by
Andrew Whitson
Graffeg
2021, pp36, £7.99
9781913733919
Immigration. Asylum. Community
This is a timely picture book which introduces the
ideas of refugees and asylum to young children.
Molly and her island friends rescue a woman and
two children who are in trouble at sea, and give
them a home. But while the new children are waiting
hopefully for the arrival of their father, an official
arrives to remove them to a camp on the mainland.
When their father does indeed arrive, will the family
be reunited? It is a cosy story with a happy ending –
in which the island welcomes the newcomers with
open arms and shows just how much new arrivals
contribute to the community – but it would work
well as a starting point to explore the issues raised.
The illustrations are charming and create a real
sense of place, although personally I find it an odd
choice that the refugees are white and blond(e) or
red-haired, looking similar to the islanders, rather
than a different ethnic background which is more
common in reality; it’s a discordant note in an
otherwise attractive and moving book.
Jo Sennitt
Eagleton, Ian
Violet’s Tempest
Illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi
Lantana Publishing
2021, pp32, £11.99
9781911373520
Families. Confidence. Theatre
This illustrated story of a young girl’s journey to the
stage, encapsulates the power of self-confidence.
Ian Eagleton’s short sentences offer brilliant material
to read alongside the full-page illustrations by
Clara Anganuzzi.
The protagonist, Violet, is struggling to prepare for
her role as the fairy Ariel in her school’s production
of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. With help from her
close family, and support from teachers at school,
Violet practises, builds on her confidence, and
delivers a performance she is proud of. Violet’s
strength and determination offers an admirable
role-model for young people.
Violet has two uncles, who offer a powerfully united
front as a couple in their support of her, and her
grandmother, who appears to be Violet’s primary
carer, is similarly supportive of her dreams. The
mention of some Shakespearean characters provides
an opportunity to begin conversations about
storytelling, theatre, and fairy-tale characters. The
family we see in Violet’s Tempest will be recognisable
to many children, and the story has a magical tone.
Tarika Sullivan
Fraser, Lucy
The Viking Who
Liked Icing
Illustrated by Mark McKinley
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
2021, pp30, £6.99
9781526603906
Baking. Hobbies. Self-Esteem
This wonderful story is about an apprehensive
Viking called Nut.
As the Viking sports day is looming, Nut feels
worried about how he will perform. He’s not very
good at shooting his bow, or climbing mountains,
or swimming in icy lakes. He has no interest in
sword fighting or rowing, but at the same time,
he’s worried about coming last!
There is one thing he is really enthusiastic about
though, and that’s baking! But how can baking
win you a prize at Sports Day?
With beautiful illustrations and words written in
rhyme, this would be a joy to read out loud to a
class of young children. It’s about doing the things
that make you happy and not just following the
crowd to fit in. Everyone has their own talents, and
you shouldn’t feel nervous about embracing and
showcasing them.
Angela Dyson
Garland, Sally Anne
Nook
Sunbird Books
2021, pp33, £12.99
9781503758483
Sensitivity. Friendship.
Diversity
This is lovely story, sensitively written, outlining the
preferences of Nook, who amongst a diverse group
of animals is the ‘quiet’ one with special sensory
needs. Beautifully told, we learn how through the
acceptance and support of her peers – in the face of
unkind opposition by another – Nook is encouraged
to trust them enough to develop confidence and
move forward.
This is a clever book which will help diversity
understanding amongst children, where the
received wisdom is often for the sensitive, gentle
child to “toughen up”, whereas what is needed is for
the others to “soften down”. In this context, it feels
very wise for Garland to have left the continuing
story of the unkind character unwritten. Garland
omits emotionally loaded vocabulary (“friend” or
“enemy”), choosing ‘the others’ to refer to Nook’s
peers, gently guiding readers through a highly
complex life experience.
The illustrations are fabulous and bring the whole
content to life; this book is a gift for early years and
key stage 1 classrooms.
Stephanie Barclay
36
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 7 & Under
Best New Books on Inventions
Editor’s pick
Lisa J Amstutz,
Safety Inventions
Inspired by Nature
Raintree, 2020, 24pp, £7.99
9781474785785
Inventions, Inventors, Nature
The natural world can inspire some
great inventions. Learn about some
inventions which contribute to safety.
Phillip Simpson
Inventors You
Should Know About
Raintree, 2021, 32pp, £5.49
9781398202115
Careers, Inventions, Inventors
Learn about eight important but
perhaps less known inventors and
the impact of their inventions on the
world we live in today.
Rachel Anderson and
Chris Jevons (Illustrator)
Harry’s House of Invention
Bloomsbury, 2020, 64pp, £5.99
9781472967558
Families, Humour, Inventions
Harry finds that his uncle is trying
to steal the plans for the unique
inventions that his mother has
developed.
Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie
(Illustrator)
Izzy Gizmo and the
Invention Convention
Simon & Schuster, 2019, 32pp, £6.99
9781471145247
Alternative energy, Gender roles, Recycling
A story in rhyme, Izzy and Fixer come
up with the idea of using renewable
energy sources for a recycling
machine that they have invented for
a competition.
Dominic Wilcox\and
Katherine Mengardon,
Little Inventors Mission Oceans!
Invention Ideas to Save the Seas
Collins, 2021, 152pp, £9.99
9780008382919
Conservation, Habitats, Oceans
This activity book is full of cool facts
and ideas to help you come up with
new inventions to save our seas.
Lisa Rajan and Alessia Trunfio
(Illustrator)
Tara Binns: Intrepid Inventor
Collins, 2020, 32pp, £7.00
9780008373290
Inventions, Inventors, Sci-fi
Tara Binns is a product designer. An
electrical failure traps Tara and her
colleagues, so Tara has to use her
skills to save them all.
Catherine Barr, Steve Williams
and Amy Husband (Illustrator)
The Story of Inventions: A First
Book About World-Changing
Discoveries
Frances Lincoln, 2020, 36pp, £12.99
9780711245365
Technology, Inventions, Inventors
An introduction to important
inventions in chronological order.
From the wheel to the compass,
lights and steam engine.
Mary Boone
Ada Lovelace:
Technology Pioneer
Raintree, 2019, 24pp, £7.99
9781474761000
Biographies, Computers, Scientists
One in the series First facts: STEM this
title explores the life and work of Ada
Lovelace and her pioneering work in
computer programming.
George, Kallie
I Hear You, Forest
Illustrated by Carmen Mok
Greystone Kids
2021, pp36, £12.99
9781771647366
Environment. Nature. Senses
A child visits the forest with
their parent. Both are left deliberately gender
neutral so everyone can identify. Although you may
think it is quiet in the forest, this child can hear a lot.
They hear the trees, the leaves hiding ‘secrets’, the
creatures who make the forest their home, and the
stream flowing through.
They can even hear the breeze and the stones. All
this encourages young children to pay attention
to their surroundings and to listen to nature. In
the meantime, studying the colourful illustrations
enables even young children to pick out many
things not specifically mentioned in words to have
that important dialogue about illustrations helping
to tell the whole story. A beautifully illustrated
picture book.
Dawn Woods
Gorman, Amanda
Change Sings
Illustrated by Loren Long
Puffin
2021, pp32, £12.99
9780241535837
Activism. Community. Poetry
Written by the youngest ever Inaugural poet, this
lyrical, luminous picture book was hotly anticipated
and does not disappoint.
From the first page, where we meet the young
girl with her guitar, centre stage on a white page,
announcing ‘I can hear change humming/ In its
loudest, proudest song’, we are swept along by
her gentle, quiet confidence. She meets her fellow
protagonist, who is carrying a tuba. She offers him
a rubbish bag and together they begin to clear
litter from the park. They continue to reach out to
others and to model little acts of kindness, all the
time building the song, gathering instruments, and
changing their community for the better.
We end as we began with our narrator on a white
page, this time looking directly at us with an
invitation to carry the song on, leaving the reader
with a belief in collective action for positive change.
Powerful words and images that repay multiple visits
and leave an indelible impression. A book for all
ages and every school.
Joy Court
Growell, Louis
Monster Town:
Jack and the
Giant Tantrum
Chris Jevons
Ladybird Books
2021, pp29, £6.99
9780241439685
Emotions. Family. Friendship
Jack is a tiny monster but is filled with big emotions.
When his feelings bubble up and he can no longer
keep them in check, a giant tantrum bursts out and
things get totally out of control!
This engaging, lively picture book helps toddlers
learn to navigate their feelings with beautifully bright
illustrations and a humorous, relatable storyline
about Jack’s struggles when things don’t go his way.
Readers are given a range of useful techniques to
help them deal with their fierier moments, whilst still
delivering a realistic and reassuring message – it’s ok
to feel angry, what’s important is recognising these
behaviours and learning the skills to calm down.
Growell’s sensitive and thoroughly relatable
approach to temper tantrums, coupled with Jevons’
warmly funny illustrations and playful page layouts
makes for a perfect pairing. If this, the first in the
‘Monster Town’ series is anything to go by, we can
look forward to both an entertaining and useful
series for pre-schoolers in the future.
Becca Watts
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
37

Books: 7 & Under
Harrison, Michelle
Midnight Magic:
Mirror Mischief
Illustrated by Elissa Elwick
Stripes Publishing
2021, pp91, £5.99
9781788951494
Magic. Cats. Poetry
This stunning book, written in verse, had me
smiling from beginning to end. I absolutely love the
colourisation throughout; the colour of green which
features all the way through gives the book a magic,
Halloween, and fresh feeling, and the stunning
illustrations by Elissa Elwick really help to bring the
book to life.
‘Midnight Magic’ is a bewitching new series that is
the perfect step for young children moving from
picture books to chapter books. The lyrical text is so
clever and enables the book to be accessible to all
young children.
This book is perfect for fans of fantasy, magic, cats,
Halloween reads and books Hubble Bubble and
Squishy McFluff.
It will make you laugh, smile, and is a perfect read
for all the family. This book will also be a great book
for teachers to read aloud in class.
Emma Suffield
Hoffman, Susann
I Can Wear Anything
Bright Light Books
2021, pp24, £7.99
9781760507572
Identity. Clothes. Positivity
This is a wonderful picture book exploring the
clothes that children like to wear. Not only does it
teach children about different items of clothing, but
it also supports the idea of letting them choose what
they want to wear. From a child’s point of view, it
explains the simple and humble reasons why girls
might want to wear overalls or boys might want to
wear tutus!
The bright and colourful pictures illustrate the
range of beautiful clothes that all children can wear,
whether you’re a boy or a girl! They depict happy
children living their best life, smiling, and laughing
and having so much fun – being happy wearing
whatever they choose.
The book helps children to learn about different
items of clothing, but the important message
running through is about children having the
freedom to wear whatever they want and their
reasons for doing so are often quite simple.
This book is for key stage 1 children.
Angela Dyson
Hoffman, Susann
You Are Awesome
Bright Light Books
2021, pp24, £7.99
9781760508418
Diversity. Difference. Positivity
This bold, bright, and beautiful book for babies
and toddlers is a perfect addition to a young child’s
bookcase. Illustrating a wide range of children of
different ethnicities, it is a positive introduction to
difference and diversity, while demonstrating what
we can all be and achieve.
The language is simple and direct, aimed straight
at the child, and toddlers will soon learn to “read”
the main word on each page, which starts with ‘You
can be …’, and picture words such as funny, brave,
and loving.
Its sturdy board page format will ensure it can be
read over and over again and children will love the
brightly coloured pages and strong illustrations.
A great book to emphasise early on that we are all
different and equally awesome.
Sue Bastone
Hogtun, Stephen
Leaves
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
2021, pp31, £12.99
9781526606877
Loss. Relationships. Memories
Hogtun’s title is elegantly ambiguous: a journey
of leaving, using the metaphor of leaves. A Tree –
overseeing a young sapling throughout the seasons
of a year until the Tree’s ‘death’ – introduces the
reader to a fulfilled life, nurtured and supported,
guided by love; gentle and whimsical, yet
highlighting the enduring influence from a loving
positive relationship, even beyond death.
I drew the impression of a grandparent–grandchild
relationship, but Hogtun wisely omits making this
explicit, allowing readers to interpret it themselves.
The language is elegant, effectively extending
young readers’ vocabulary (e.g. ‘fragrance’ instead
of ‘smell’). The text is invaluable for literacy teaching.
The beautiful illustrations draw the reader into
seasons and emotions, and will support readers
facing their own ‘journey’. The final pages, where the
youngster faces winter harshness alone yet finds hope
through her memories, are poignant but heartening,
demonstrating the enduring power of love.
This is a fabulous book for key stage 1 and 2;
excellent for PHSE, supporting children through
loss, change, and bereavement.
Stephanie Barclay
Hudson, Katy
Mindful Mr Sloth
Raintree
2021, pp32, £6.99
9781398216334
Friendship. Mindfulness. Sloth
Sasha likes to do plenty of things
as fast as she can, and is forever rushing around.
One day, she meets Mr Sloth and decides that they
are going to be best friends, but Mr Sloth, of course,
can only do one thing at a time, and he does it very
slowly. When Sasha takes part in a race with Mr sloth
in her bike basket, she is set to win, of course, but
Mr Sloth has other ideas, teaching Sasha, and young
readers, how to slow down and enjoy the present
moment.
The illustrations are quite simple and charming.
I like the fact that they portray a diverse group of
children. I also like the humorous touches such as
the road named ‘Stillness Rd’ and the books’ titles.
Agnes Guyon
John, Jory
The Smart Cookie
Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Harper,
2021, pp40, £12.99
9780063045408
Picture Book. Inspiring. Food
The Smart Cookie is an inspirational story about a
cookie who discovers her niche: writing poems.
When she was younger, she felt like a misfit,
experiencing a myriad of emotions. The story starts
with Cookie telling us her life story and how she
came to be a smart cookie. The book tells a tale
of belonging and not belonging, of failures and
successes, of sadness and happiness and beautifully
stringing these dichotomies together to redefine
what “Smart” is perceived as, conventionally.
In the past, Cookie seemed to struggle with
concentrating in lessons, spelling words, or doing
simple math, echoing some traits of ADHD and
dyslexia in young children. She talks about staying
awake day after day staring out of the window,
which resonates with feelings of depression.
The story develops into a ballad of her overcoming
her battles, with the support of her teacher who
inspires her to look within. The book encourages the
readers to find their own true selves. The message is
loud and clear: it is okay to be different.
Kas Roy Bardhan
38
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 7 & Under
Jones, Amelina
One Human
Community
Dixi Books (UK) Limited
2021, pp36, £7.99
9781913680091
Community. Earth. Diversity
The book explains in simple terms how we are all
part of ‘one human community’ – how regardless
of our country of origin, race, gender, beliefs, etc.,
we must learn to appreciate the values that make
us good, strong, and loving, and how ultimately,
we must work together to look after the world
around us.
Written in short, clear sentences, this is a nice
and accessible way of introducing the concept of
community and how it is meant to embrace and
celebrate all the differences that give us a specific
identity within a larger concept of multiculturalism.
It’s a useful publication for all sorts of discussions
in early learning classrooms, making the children
aware of complex notions such as unity, community,
and the value of love and friendship. There is a
vibrant simplicity in the artwork, and children are
likely to particularly enjoy the spread with twelve
individual faces showing various facial expressions.
Marzena Currie
Jones, Richard
Little Bear
Simon & Schuster Children’s
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781398502482
Friendship. Growing-Up.
Journey
With fabulous language teaching opportunities,
(introducing days of the week, challenging
adjectives, use of speech, verb choices, connective
vocabulary, and so much more) this simple but
engaging plot builds an emotional connection
between the reader and the characters, as a small
child befriends a polar bear.
This is an excellent picture book from Jones, who
has a reputation for sincere emotional portrayal
for small children, especially in early years settings;
the story is sequenced with novel happenings, and
thoughtfully placed text to complement the truly
delightful illustrations. The layout and structure
of the book makes it ideal for reading aloud, with
listening and speaking activities in small or large
groups, but it is equally inviting for cosy one-to-one
sessions. For early solo reading experiences, a child
will enjoy this, and can talk themselves through the
story. The illustrations provide extensive talking
points and will be valuable for PSHE discussions or
circle time. A really good addition for early years
and key stage 1 classrooms.
Stephanie Barclay
Kasch, Jo
Mo and Crow
Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley
A & U Children’s
2021, pp32, £11.99
9781911679110
Friendship. Barriers. Loneliness
Mo lives alone, in a small house surrounded by a
high wall, and he likes it that way. The wall keeps
everything out until one day when Crow arrives
and decides that he wants to stay. Each time he
taps a hole in the wall, Mo fills it in, but Crow is
so determined that soon there is a very large gap.
Mo realises that he can see the world but where is
Crow? Has he given up?
This Australian picture book is an entertaining
rhyming story about breaking down barriers and
finding friendship. The watercolour and pencil
illustrations are suffused with warm colours,
reflecting the natural landscape where Mo’s house is
situated. The book invites discussion about why Mo
has chosen to cut himself off (there are one or two
subtle clues in the pictures) and the importance of
connection to others.
Jayne Gould
Konnecke, Ole
Translated by
Shelley Tanaka
Dulcinea in the
Forbidden Forest
Gecko Press
2021, pp64, £11.99
9781776573950
Fairy Tale. Witches. Magic
A sweet, illustrated fairy tale about a young girl
called Dulcinea and her father, who live on the edge
of the woods. Everyone knows you aren’t supposed
to enter the forest, but her father risks it just once
to get blueberries for Dulcinea’s birthday pancakes
and is turned into a tree by the witch. Dulcinea has
to outsmart the witch in order to steal her spell book
and save her father.
Dulcinea is a very brave and likeable character, and
she of course saves the day! It is a nice book for a
developing reader and would read aloud well.
The illustrations are all in orange tones in keeping
with the theme of the front cover which makes it
quite unusual.
Translated from German.
Jennifer Prestwood
Langley- Swain,
Samuel
Storm in a Jar
Illustrated by Katie Cottle
Owlett Press
2021, pp32, £7.99
9781913339111
Bereavement. Emotions. Grandparents
A powerful picture book that is a thoughtful
exploration of grief and bereavement that will be
invaluable in times of loss. Because it widens the
issue to talk about emotions and big feelings and
how they can overwhelm us but are dangerous to
repress, it has a much wider use too.
The metaphor of “bottling it up” is very cleverly
employed in this story. A beloved Nana always used
to keep sweets in a jar for her grandson, and when
she dies, he keeps the jar and carries it everywhere;
but instead of the aroma which reminds him of
his Nana, he perceives it to become darker and
storm-filled as his emotions get darker. Superb
illustrations capture this idea and the gentle hope
filled resolution leaves Arlo and the reader in a
better place, supporting the idea of remembering
loved ones no longer around in a happy way. The
book usefully includes a ‘Storm in the Jar’ science
experiment and a ‘Stormy Bottle’ sensory craft to
help with anger and anxiety.
Joy Court
Layton, Neal
A World Full of
Wildlife and How
You Can Protect It
Wren & Rook
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781526363237
Nature. Protection. Action
This book explains biodiversity and the effect of
humans on the environment to 5–7-year-olds.
Familiar nature – a favourite animal, singing birds,
and even animal poo – is all shown to be connected
by the web of life, so that no one part can work
without the others. We then see how humans can
damage the world for animals and plants, but that
there are lots of things we can do to repair the
damage and look after the web.
A world full of wildlife is an effective combination
of picture book format and non-fiction content.
Varied illustration styles make the layout extremely
engaging and each picture supports and develops
the text. The inclusion of photographs cleverly
reinforces that we are reading information, rather
than a story. The achievable practical actions
suggested in the ‘How you can help’ section make
the book an excellent addition to the classroom or
library – and ensure its message is delivered in a
positive voice.
Sharon Corbally
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
39

Books: 7 & Under
Lloyd, Susannah
Oh Monty! Cats...
Cakes...Crumbs!
Illustrated by Nici Gregory
Pavillion Children’s
2021, pp32, £6.99
9781843654964
Humour. Injustice. Inference
What fun! Two cats are left alone to look after an
extravagant cake. A recipe for disaster. Children will
readily identify both with Tiddles, the well-behaved,
innocent, cat who is unfairly blamed, and Monty the
greedy, over-indulged and twice guilty culprit.
The story works very well on this simple level, but its
real strength is in its use of prediction and inference.
Right from the beginning, there is the urge to share
ideas about what might happen. The illustrations are
scattered with clues. We see only the hands of the
owner. What is she like? The dramatic main action is
just in picture form, but what might be being said by
the cats? The text consists of the owner speaking,
but here again the typography is carefully designed
to convey all the nuances in what is said.
This is a very satisfying book with great scope for
developing ideas from a basic to much higher level.
Annie Pattison
Manley, Ben
Constance in Peril
Illustrated by Emma Chichester
Clark
Two Hoots
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781509839735
Toys. Adventure. Peril
Constance Hardpenny, an old cloth doll, led a tragic
life before Edward found her in a bin. His favourite
toy, she is no stranger to misfortune. Each day
brings fresh disaster. On Monday she gets trapped
at the top of a tree with no prospect of rescue,
until Edward’s courageous big sister climbs up. On
Tuesday she falls from Edward’s scooter and is in
mortal danger. Once again, help is on hand from
the resourceful sister – as it is when she gets stuck
in railings, when she is grabbed by a dog, when she
is kidnapped by a gang of notorious ruffians, or gets
swept away in the river.
A delightful picture book. Ben Manley’s text is witty,
clever and succinct. Children will relish his lovely
phrases and vocabulary. Emma Chichester Clark’s
distinctive pastel illustrations are the perfect match.
Also very clever and witty, they add an intriguing
extra dimension. How long before children spot that
Constance’s misadventures are not entirely due to
bad luck? ‘Constance lodged herself between the
iron railings’. The pictures tell a subtly different story.
Anne Harding
McCartney, Paul
Grandude’s Green
Submarine
Illustrated by Kathryn Durst
Puffin
2021, pp32, £12.99
9780241472934
Adventure. Family. Exploration
This book takes the reader on an underwater
adventure to find the illusive Nandude. This tale
begins with a familiar scene of children (Chillers),
hot and bothered in their grandparents’ garden,
not knowing what to do. Grandude adds some
excitement by introducing his shed of inventions full
of strange creations, and whilst there, the subject of
their Nandude’s whereabouts is raised. What follows
is a quest to find her under the sea using Grandude’s
green submarine.
The text includes a good range of vocabulary, and
the illustrations by Kathyrn Durst are interesting and
compliment the text well. Children would enjoy
sharing the book, spotting the different features that
add depth to the story. Whilst this text would fit well
into any class or school library, it can feel like a long
read as there are many different ideas fit into one
story. If reading aloud to young children, it may be
best separated into two parts. This book could be
used to support a topic on oceans or adventures.
Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves
McCaughrean,
Geraldine, and Hodgson
Burnett, Frances
The Secret Garden
Illustrated by Margarita Kukhtina
Nosy Crow
2021, pp96, £14.99
9781788008587
Nature. Growing up. Friendship
This sensitive retelling, by major award-winning
author McCaughrean, beautifully captures the
essence of the Edwardian classic tale.
Mary’s redemption through her love of living
things in the secret garden, and the transformation
of her cousin and uncle by her example, is well
summarised in a retelling for younger children.
The colonial history is present, with the illustrations
setting the story in its time period. Perhaps best
initially in the hands of a class teacher, this text
would be a useful starting point to introduce
primary aged children to Britain’s colonial past. The
moral message lies elsewhere: true to the original
story, individual character development is central.
Lovely illustrations show the spiritual reawakening
of the protagonists, as they learn to appreciate one
another despite differences of origin, background, or
class. This would be an excellent book for diverse key
stage 2 class use: from teacher led social or literary
history to an introduction to English classic literature.
Stephanie Barclay
McGinty, Alice
Bathe the Cat
Illustrated by David Roberts
Chronicle Books
2021, pp48, £12.99
9781452142708
Families. Humour. Rhyme
The house is mess and grandma arrives at two. It’s
time for this story’s lively biracial family of two dads,
three children, and a clever cat to get organised.
They start their household chores but there is one
task that their family feline is not keen on them
accomplishing – bathing the cat. So, the cat sneakily
keeps changing the job list on the fridge door by
switching the magnetic letters around.
With repetitive rhyming prose and very bright
illustrations, we are treated to silly and chaotic
scenes of the family frantically following the latest
bizarre instructions, including sweeping the baby
and scrubbing the lawn. An added element of fun
is the puzzled facial expressions of the characters,
including a rather alarmed bowl of goldfish, as the
cat keeps an eye on proceedings.
When one of the dads takes charge and re-orders
the tasks, all is well, even for the mischievous cat. A
joyful funny book to share and read aloud, with lots
for children to immerse themselves in and revisit.
Sue Polchow
McNiff, Dawn
Let’s Play, Daddy Bear!
Illustrated by Andy Rowland
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp32, £4.99
9781472988904
Families. Playtime. Animals
Part of Bloomsbury’s Young
Readers’ reading scheme, this book is an engaging
story for children getting to grips with reading
more independently.
It’s Little Bear’s weekend with Daddy Bear and she
is ready to play! Unfortunately, Daddy Bear must
get some work done before he can spend time with
Little Bear, and she soon loses patience waiting
around for him. The tables are turned once Daddy
Bear finishes his work and finds Little Bear far too
busy to play with him! Will she forgive him, or will
her weekend be completely ruined?
Featuring a relatable story with some more difficult
words, this short chapter book will challenge more
able key stage 1 readers. The plot is one that both
children and parents who have worked from home
will connect with. The Young Readers books are
well planned out, with tips to aid comprehension
at the beginning of the book and fun activities
at the end to extend the child’s learning beyond
the story itself. An enjoyable animal read with
real-world relativity.
Becca Watts
40
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 7 & Under
Mei, Charlotte
Pippin Paints
a Portrait
Cicada Books
2021, pp36, £11.99
9781800660144
Painting. Information.
Art Techniques
A really beautiful picture book which perfectly
balances a light-hearted story approach with
providing interesting information about art
techniques. It would be a perfect book for any
budding young artists.
Pippin the dog wants to paint a self-portrait, but
his friends keep telling him that his method is
completely wrong. Pippin is open to learning and
finding out what he should be doing to get it right.
Along the way, he finds out about many different art
and painting techniques, such as cubism, the polka
dot technique, pointillism, punk art, and fauvism.
The most important lesson that he learns, and which
our young readers will learn, is that there is no right
and wrong in art. He develops the confidence in the
end to paint in his own style.
There is a really excellent glossary of artists and
their methods at the end of the book. There is
also a picture of the real-life Pippin and his little
sister Monkey.
Sarah Seddon
Moore, Inga
Moose’s Book Bus
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp48, £12.99
9781406385694
Libraries. Books. Animals
This delightful picture book
beautifully illustrates the power of reading and
the importance of reading together. Moose is a
wonderful storyteller and tells his family stories
from memory. When he cannot think of any more
he goes to borrow a book from Bear next door. But
neither Bear, nor any of the other animals who live
in the wood, have any books. So Moose goes to
the library and discovers all the wonderful books
he can borrow. Of course, all the animals want to
hear the stories, so Moose’s living room becomes
very crowded.
The fixing up of an old bus as a book bus is
delightfully drawn and when they see all the
wonderful books, the animals want to learn to read
so that they can take books home. ‘But no-one
could read a story like Moose could – and so his
living room still got full’.
The illustrations work well with the story and
evoke the natural world well. This book will delight
children aged 3+ and their parents will definitely
enjoy reading it.
Sue Bastone
Papouskova, Eva
George the Wombat
Illustrated by Galina Miklinova
Graffeg
2021, pp34, £7.99
9781914079689
Potty Training. Animals.
Cube-Shaped Poo
This is a wonderful book, and it was warmly received
by the nursery children I read it to; they found it
absolutely hilarious. Obviously learning how to use
a potty is something they really relate to, but I think
this book will appeal to all young children.
George the wombat wants to go and dig in the
forest but first he needs to use the potty. His friends
and family suggest lots of strategies to help but it
was the fright of a Tasmanian devil that finally got
the job done. The book ends with a remarkable fact
about wombats. A fact I don’t think I will ever forget.
A must-have for every library, it really will make all
readers laugh and reinforce to everyone that we all
have something which makes us unique just like the
wombat! The clear and amazing illustrations make
this book an all-round winner!
Rebecca Taylor
Parappukkaran,
Sandhya
The Boy Who
Tried to Shrink
His Name
Illustrated by
Michelle Pereira
Bright Light Books
2021, pp32, £11.99
9781760509361
Families. School. Friendship
This book is such a beautiful book to share with
children. Zimdalamashkermishkada has a name
that he doesn’t feel confident sharing. He wants to
shrink his name and knows that people find it hard
to say. When he starts school he makes a friend who
shortens his name to Zim. However, when he asks
his mum if he can shorten his name, she explains to
him why his name was chosen and that he should
give people a chance to learn to say it. This book is a
really important book for discussing the importance
of learning to say each other’s names correctly. It is
a book that could be shared right through primary
school to generate discussions at differing levels.
Kate Keaveny
Sahota, Kate
Little Glow
Illustrated by
Harry Woodgate
Owlett Press
2021, pp25, £7.99
9781913339333
Culture. Festivals. Religion
This is a truly wonderful book. Even the cover itself
is mesmerizing and draws the reader in – just like
a flame.
The story is told through the eyes of Little Glow, a
candle flame who wishes to be bolder and brighter.
They are present at every event celebrating light
– Chinese New Year, Diwali, Hannukah, and many
others. Towards the end, a family gathers around
Little Glow for their own special celebration, and it
becomes clear that even the smallest of lights have
an important purpose. It is a wonderful story which
celebrates traditions and cultural diversity.
The text is rhyming and very descriptive which
complements the gorgeous, inviting illustrations
perfectly. It is clear that much care has been taken
to ensure the pictures reflect the tone of the text. It
really adds to the cosy feel of this autumnal book.
I would highly recommend this book to all,
particularly to any teacher/parent who wants to look
into different ways people celebrate. It also includes
fire safety information!
Emma Price
Sala, Felicita
A Year in Fleurville:
Recipes from
Balconies, Rooftops,
and Gardens
Scribble
2021, pp40, £12.99
9781913348991
Seasons. Gardening. Recipes
This stunningly illustrated picture book celebrates
the seasons, and with mouth-watering recipes
alongside, it will be a well-loved addition to any
library. This is one of those books where if you
carry on looking at everything on the pages, you
will always see new characters, details, and enticing
additions to the story you are reading. There is so
much to see, learn and be instructed by, that it would
take multiple reads to be genuinely appreciated, and
you will want to read it repeatedly. I will share this
remarkable book with all our Reception classes in the
summer term when they grow their own vegetables
during their “growth” topic, and suggest to their
teachers they try the recipes. Pea, basil, and mint
soup will be on the menu in May, and the tzatziki
later in the term, just before the school holidays
start. The butternut cake will be a new Halloween
tradition; and during winter we will learn to identify
seeds, fruits, and vegetables, and be inspired by the
pages of gardening actions to come.
Jenny Griffiths
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
41

Books: 7 & Under
Seigal, Joshua
Yapping Away
Illustrated by Sarah Horne
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp96, £6.99
9781472972743
Imagination. Fantastical.
Adventure
Yapping Away is a funny,
sparkly, sometimes silly, collection of poems to
engage young children. I read these out loud
with my 7-year-old nephew, and he howled with
laughter. Our favourite poems from the book
included ‘Did I Ever Tell You’ (about love for a pizza!),
and ‘How to Have a Tantrum’ (a step-by-step guide
also accompanied by a comical illustration).
The beauty of this collection is that they are
accessible – suitable for young readers to read
independently, or to share with children as small
as three or four. They are a great way to entice
reluctant readers, or for those that think poetry
is boring. Far from boring, these poems will take
you to a land of dancing unicorns or transport you
to Madagascar where you can smell the salty air
and touch the baobab tree! They may even inspire
budding young poets of your own!
Victoria Forrester
Soundar, Chitra
We All Celebrate!
Illustrated by Jenny Bloomfield
Tiny Owl
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781910328675
Celebrations. Religion.
World Customs
A most informative and interesting book, which
begs to be picked up by any child. And they won’t be
disappointed, as when they open the book they are
greeted by bright and cheerful double-page spreads
about how people in the world celebrate different
festivals throughout the year. Many of the main
world festivals (as well as aspects related to festivals)
are covered by Chitra Soundar, who uses language
entirely appropriate to the reader – Bloomfield’s
illustrations complement the text appropriately and
the final double-page spread of the world reminds
us that we all celebrate!
This book would be ideally suited to a key stage 1
classroom, although the print size and spacing of
the text would cause the book to be equally at home
in the lower key stage 2 classroom.
Rudolf Loewenstein
Stephenson, Kristina
The Museum of
Marvellous Things
Hodder Children’s Books
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781444946048
Dragons. Flying Carpets. Magic
Norbert Norris is sensible and
serious, and knows important things such as maths,
the names of the planets, and how to spell words
such as ‘per-pen-dic-u-lar’. He’s also a nerd because
he doesn’t know magic, says Tilly Pott, great, great,
great granddaughter of Prof. T. Pott, founder of the
Museum of Marvellous things. The museum is in
trouble because it’s running out of magic and only
Norbert can help.
The Museum is great fun, with its echoes of Dr Seuss
in the dashing rhymes and colourful illustrations.
Exhibits include Doo-Dahs and Noo-Nahs, ‘four
books in a terrible GRUMP’, and a ‘dragon with a
flagon … standing by a wagon, staring at a bubbling
brew’, looking rather bemused, to say nothing of
the looks of wonder on Tilly and Norbert’s faces as
they zip about on their flying carpet. There are other
nonsense references like the Pobble, but with toes.
The exhibits fade, literally, into the page as their
colours drain away, while the text dashes along with
rhymes and unexpected non-rhymes and prose
when the story slows. Highly recommended.
Peter Andrews
Strick, Alexandra
You Can!
Illustrated by Steve Anthony
Otter-Barry Books
2021, pp40, £12.99
9781913074609
Inclusion. Diversity.
Humour
This is a delightful and very simple picture book
which encourages all very young children to be
the best they can. There is no straightforward story
line, but each double-page spread begins with the
words ‘You Can’. This is then followed by examples
of actions and positive thoughts that young
people take on board. It covers a huge range of
thoughts, both about your inner self, but also about
relationships with the wider world and encourages
children to be ‘the best you can’.
This will work beautifully with the youngest of
children in nursery and reception, as well as
support those who are facing physical, mental, and
emotional challenges in their lives. The images are
bright and full of action; we see representations
of very diverse groups of children and it gives the
reader the opportunity to ask questions and see
people who are different from themselves. This is
a delightful introduction to the topics you would
cover in PSHE and should find a home in every early
years setting.
Margaret Pemberton
Stuart, Scott
The Very First You
Bright Light Books
2021, pp24, £9.99
9781760508883
Self-Discovery. Identity.
Inclusivity
This vibrant and empowering picture book
celebrates individuality and a child’s identity in their
voyage of self-discovery to understand what makes
them who they are. This book thoughtfully models
a message of inclusivity and self-acceptance, one
where all early years practitioners and parents will be
ready to snatch this book off the shelves in no time!
Scott Stuart brilliantly outlines the various
ways young children can be different, and
these are expressed beautifully throughout the
book, engaging young readers of all abilities
and backgrounds.
A poetic tone ripples through this story, with
just a few sentences on each page, fabulously
complemented by colourful and animated
illustrations that continue to engage readers at
home or at school.
This charming picture book cleverly introduces
topics of belonging, confidence, emotions, spirit,
and self-awareness, supporting all young learners at
this stage of personal development.
Imogen Blundell
Sweeney, Caitriona
A Galway Fairytale
The O’Brien Press
2021, pp32, £11.99
9781788492249
History. Fairy tale. Ireland
This contemporary take on
the story of Hansel and Gretel is set in modern-day
Galway, where two children, Séan and Gráinne, set
off to get a special birthday present for their mum.
On their way, the siblings come across all sorts of
obstacles and interesting characters who repay
the children’s kindness (from the beginning of the
story) when they find themselves in a pickle after a
cunning witch tricks them into stealing their mum’s
precious gift.
This is a delightful book which combines a wellknown
fairy tale with a clear nod to Ireland’s history
and culture through, for example, the Claddagh
ring, a Spanish knight (Ireland’s trading links with
Spain from the sixteenth century), Granuaile, and
the Galway Hooker (a traditional boat of Galway
Bay), to name a few memorable examples. A lovely
history lesson for young readers in Ireland and
beyond. I read the English version, but O’Brien has
also published a Gaelic version which I’m sure will
become very popular among bilingual readers and
which makes it a complete tribute to Ireland.
Marzena Currie
42
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 7 & Under
Tellegen, Toon
No One is
Angry Today
Tosdevin, Frances
The Bear
and Her Book
EDITOR’S PICK
Verde, Susan
I Am Courage: A
Book of Resilience
Illustrated by Marc Boutavant
Gecko Press
2021, pp74, £12.99
9781776573455
Emotions. Feelings. Tolerance
Anyone picking up this book is in for a surprise,
as the book is not just a story dealing with anger
– rather, it is a story book with ten different tales
of everyday life as experienced by a range of
animals living in a forest. Throughout their daily
lives they are all involved in the sort of actions and
celebrations that any child accessing the book can
identify with. What really identifies this book as
being worth picking up and reading is the quality
of its text and illustrations. Boutavant has the gift of
being able to produce simple illustrations that can
bring a range of different emotions to life. Tellegen’s
stories show he is able to deal with all of the
emotions (including anger) that children experience,
and that these emotions can be experienced in
different ways by different people. By thoughtfully
manipulating the text, Tellegen allows each story
to become open to discussion between adult
and child, leaving the readers to form their own
individual conclusions. Well worth buying.
Rudolf Loewenstein
Illustrated by
Sophia O’Connor
UClan Publishing
2021, pp32, £7.99
9781912979608
Animals. Adventure. Inspiring
With a lovely, gentle, swaying rhyme this book is
beautifully written and is perfect for bedtime or
circle time with illustrations that fill the page. The
repetition and rhyme make this perfect for slightly
older children learning to read, while the story and
perfectly suited pictures make this wonderful for
the youngest of readers. The narrative is exquisite,
especially for booklovers as Bear uses her Big Book
of Being Wise to help those she encounters on
her journey all over the world, finally finding her
perfect place in nowhere other than a library. Sophia
O’Connor’s illustrations fill the double-page spreads,
instantly pulling you into the story. The drawings
are soft and warm, bringing on that cosy feeling
that comes with opening your favourite childhood
storybook whilst perfectly depicting the kind nature
of Bear and the amazing variety of characters she
meets. I truly loved this book from the instant I saw
the cover.
Tegan Burnett
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Abrams Books For Young
Readers
2021, pp32, £10.99
9781419746468
Empathy. Resilience. Self-Confidence
This is the latest title in a series that includes I Am
Human and I Am Love. A self-help book for children,
the text is empowering and empathetic, and the
illustrations fit the words very well and show a good
range of characters. To be honest, the way that the
text encourages one to look within oneself to find
that well of courage inside would strike a chord
with readers of any age; I think we all need to be
reminded sometimes that yes, we can cope and we
can help others to do so too.
There is a little treat under the slipcover too – one
of the illustrations from the book is printed on the
front and back cover in vibrant yellow and black. At
the end of the story, the author has included some
basic yoga exercises for mindfulness and to promote
confidence and courage. I Am Courage would be an
excellent addition to any school library’s wellbeing
section and it has definitely earnt a place on my
own bookshelf.
Bev Humphrey
Welsh, Clare Helen
Time to Move
South for Winter
Illustrated by Jenny Løvlie
Nosy Crow
2021, pp32, £12.99
9781788008136
Animals. Migration. Environments
This is a wonderful book. Welsh writes of the
journey of an Arctic tern undertaking her annual
migration, (a lifetime distance equal to ‘three
trips to the Moon and back’!) from Arctic to
Antarctic, describing the landscapes, oceans, and
other migrants she meets on the way. The text
is laid out to complement Løvlie’s wonderfully
vibrant illustrations, that draw the reader into the
environments she represents.
Welsh uses gracefully composed language to
describe the different creatures, as they all ‘search
for summer’ in their different habitats, whilst
carrying the reader with her, as the tern diligently
completes her extraordinary flight. This book is
invaluable for key stage 1 classrooms: literacy and
science are well provided for with beautifully written
language and factual information; creative lessons
have a work of art on every page to study. The book
closes with a highly informative factual glossary of
the animals described, and a wonderful final page of
the illustrated world, to delight geography teachers!
Stephanie Barclay
Wenzel, Brendan
Inside Cat
Chronicle Books
2021, pp40, £12.99
9781452173191
Perception. Funny. Cats
‘Inside Cat knows many windows, finds a view
wherever it goes. Wanders. Wonders. Gazes. Gapes.
Sees the world through many shapes.’ As Inside Cat
meanders from room to room through the building,
the reader sees glimpses of the world outside from
its narrow point of view until they walk out of the
front door to be confronted by the vast and busy
reality of the big wide world. A great book to read
aloud, with lovely word play through alliteration
and repetition. The views through the windows are
in colour whilst the inside illustrations are in a pale
blue monochrome; as the book progresses these
become busier, and there’s a sub-plot with a little
mouse on each double-page spread.
A book full of humour and original art that definitely
needs more than one reading to absorb all the
details – readers will have great fun guessing
what’s happening outside, spotting the fun inside,
and learning how one’s viewpoint can change the
perception of reality.
Barbara Band
Yarlett, Emma
It’s Mine!
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp29, £12.99
9781406392180
Rhyme. Ownership.
Perspective
A beautifully illustrated, rhyming storybook for
younger children. Mouse finds a ‘thing’ and thinks it
looks very tasty. Frog also likes the look of Mouse’s
‘thing’, but thinks it will make a good wheel! And
so the story goes, with various animals believing
that the ‘thing’ will fulfil their needs and convince
themselves that it belongs to the them, until finally
the real owner is revealed …
This book will help encourage creative thinking in
younger children and show them that their ideas can
be totally different to those of others and that this is
fine. It also conveys the message that just because
you find something you like, it is not alright to take
ownership of it!
Linda Nash
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
43

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Ahmed, Sufiya
Ruby Ali’s Mission
Break Up
Illustrated by Parwinder Singh
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp96, £6.99
9781472993175
Family. Foster Care. Humour
Ruby and her sister Alisha have
been in care for most of their lives, but now Alisha is
18 she has to leave the care system and Ruby can’t
go with her. This leaves Ruby alone for the first time
since the girls went into care, and now she has to
face a new foster home. Ruby hatches a plan in the
hopes that she can annoy her new foster carers so
much that they won’t want her there and she can go
and live with Alisha after all. What follows is a series
of increasingly amusing pranks which, to Ruby’s
surprise, don’t annoy her foster carers at all; they
actually laugh!
Whilst generally quite light-hearted, this book is
also very touching and emotional at times and
is a story that will allow looked after children to
recognise themselves in a book. It could also go
some way towards helping other children learn a bit
about the care system if they, like me, have no prior
knowledge of it. A valuable addition to a primary
library.
Beth Jenkinson
Alexander, Banji
Lockdown
Looms Reggie’s
Birthday Party
Grosvenor House Publishing
2021, pp103, £12.99
9781839757167
Family. Friendship. Lockdown
This book is a great, innovative book which relates
to the current problems children face due to the
pandemic.
It describes many feelings and situations which will
resonate with lots of young people out there and is a
good read for at home, in the library, or at school.
The story is supported with lovely illustrations.
Another aspect I liked a lot is that often more
difficult words are used so that it’s also educational
in a literary sense.
Luise Hocke
Baines, Samantha
The Night the
Moon Went Out
Illustrated by Lucy Rogers
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp80, £6.99
9781472993519
Adventure. Deafness. Animals
This sweet, gentle tale tells the story of Aneira, who
is really very, very scared of the dark. When the
moon suddenly goes out one night, Aneira sets out
to turn it back on.
Aneira wears hearing aids, and this is weaved
seamlessly into the story without being overbearing.
Aneira has mixed feelings about her hearing aids:
she doesn’t like that they make her stand out at
school, but she does like that her mum can turn
them off when things get too loud! The science in
this story was unsound, with the moon having a
little light switch and an owl big enough for Aneira
to fly on its back – but this doesn’t detract from the
enjoyment of the story. It did read a little young
for its book band age – I would recommend it for
age 7–9 rather than 9+, but it is a lovely, benign
adventure with a happy ending.
Louise Widdowson
Balen, Katya
Maggie and
the Moonbird
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp76, £6.99
9781472994196
Magic. Birds. Change
This is an engaging fantasy story.
Maggie is bitterly disappointed that her father is too
busy with his garden to take her birdwatching and
she has to make do with a trip to the zoo with her
aunt and pesky cousins. It is here, however, that her
attention is captured by a beautiful but unhappy
caged bird. Maggie takes home one of its fallen
feathers that turns out to have magical properties,
and combined with some moonflower petals from
her father’s beloved garden she is able help the
beautiful moonbird escape.
Intended for educational use, this fully illustrated
80-page volume, is one of a series of books
designed to encourage key stage 2 readers to build
stamina and gain confidence. Each title is written by
an established, well-regarded author, with activities
at the end and additional teaching notes, created in
consultation with the Centre for Literacy in Primary
Education, available online.
Chris Routh
Biddulph, Rob,
Peanut Jones and
the Illustrated City
Macmillan Children’s Books
2021, pp376, £12.99
9781529040524
Adventure. Creative. Funny
This is a beautiful and
imaginative adventure which
drags its reader into a world of creativity.
Peanut Jones has one love in her life: drawing.
However, her missing father and the stresses of a
new school seem to taint this one joy in her life.
Until she finds a unique pencil with magic and
possibly the ability to find her dad. This is a fantastic
book and includes some amazing illustrations, again
by Rob Biddulph. The book allows its reader a break
from reality, with some wonderfully fun characters,
such as the Doodle Dog, who join Peanut on
her journey.
The story provides an alternative hero narrative and
deals with serious topics while also being hilariously
funny. It is thoroughly enjoyable and a great way
to develop young imaginations. It would be great
to read as a whole class and though quite long in
length, the book is easy to follow and enjoyable
to read. It could also spark other activities within
school which allow students to express their own
creativity and imagination.
Sophie Matter
Brooks, Charlie
The Super-Secret Diary
of Holly Hopkinson:
A little Bit of a Big
Disaster!
Illustrated by Katy Riddell
HarperCollins Children’s Books
2021, pp305, £12.99
9780008328122
Family. Humour. Adventure
When Holly’s father loses his job, the family have
to move to the country in order to live with her
grandfather. Then her mother loses her job and
Holly decides it is up to her to make sure there
is enough money to live on. The problem is that
Holly’s plans tend to be rather erratic and not
necessarily very practical. This is all set against the
background of village politics, trying to maintain
long distance friendships, and settling into a new
way of life.
This is a funny and very individual look at life,
through the eyes of a 10-year-old. It doesn’t help
that the adults are just as odd as Holly, and she has
to interpret what is really going on. The book itself
is also full of quirky layouts and illustrations by Katy
Riddell, but the balance is just right, so that the story
is not overpowered by the layout. This is going to be
a great favourite with key stage 2 readers.
Margaret Pemberton
44
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Brown, Susan M
The Ogilvie Trilogy: A
Very Annoying Visitor
The Book Guild Publishing
2021, pp200, £7.99
9781913913502
Families. Adventure. Fantasy
This is the first volume of the
Olgivie Trilogy. It is set in a Scottish castle where
money is short, possessions are sold, and men
plot to buy the family estate, helped by the farm
manager blighting the estate’s crops. There is also
an ancient injustice; the family is wrongly blamed
for killing a royal stag, Asak, generations before. The
family’s troubles will endure until exonerated by
recovering his lost antlers. Anna’s grandmother and
father have tried and failed; Anna is the last hope.
Help comes from her friend Fiona, from five extra
Senses – including Lyric, an alert piece of tree bark,
Laura, an all-seeing sycamore wing, and Mother
Nature, who she meets in another dimension.
Confident readers of 9 or 10 will enjoy the fast pace
of the narrative, the mixture of reality and fantasy
and the rich cast populating the narrative. Add to
that the vicarious pleasures of plunging through
forests, exploring dusty turret rooms, and going
deep below the castle and they will be looking out
for the second volume.
David Mallett
Bruton, Catherine
Following
Frankenstein
Nosy Crow
2021, pp272, £7.99
9781788008440
Adventure. Acceptance.
Loneliness
This is a clever and wonderful sequel to Mary
Shelley’s original novel. It is full of unexpected
twists, a beautiful friendship, and an important
message of accepting others who are often
ostracised for being “different”.
The novel is brilliant in its gritty portrayal of a
father–daughter relationship, and the effects of
mental illness on close family members. Maggie,
the protagonist of the story, wonders whether her
father (who is obsessed with finding Frankenstein’s
monster) loves the monster more than he loves her.
When he embarks on yet another of his ill-fated
Frankenstein hunts, Maggie decides she’s not being
left behind this time. What follows is an adventure
juxtaposing fear and suspense with moments of
hope and kindness. Fast paced, full of danger, and
incredibly gripping, Following Frankenstein is well
worth a read for all young readers, particularly those
aged 8–12.
Victoria Forrester
Campbell, Jen
The Sister Who Ate
Her Brothers and
Other Gruesome Tales
Illustrated by Adam de Souza
Thames and Hudson
2021, pp114, £14.99
9780500652589
Fairy Tales. Horror. Disfigurement
‘This book contains fourteen gruesome tales from
around the world. Shall we take a look. Take my
hand. Follow me. We don’t want you to lose your
way …’ croons author Jen Campbell, a specialist in
the history of fairy tales. These nightmarish stories
provide the perfect antidote to the traditional
happy-ever-after tales. They challenge stereotypes
by featuring a princess with hair loss, a deaf man,
and someone with missing fingers, and put back
the gore more recently removed from old stories.
Definitely not for the faint-hearted, this is probably
not advisable to read in one sitting – rather better
to dip into, particularly around Halloween time or
when in need of a frighteningly good read-aloud.
All complimented by Adam de Souza’s full-page
illustrations which contribute to the sombre mood,
using a dark palette of colours, combined with
macabre black and white borders and vignettes.
‘I said sit. That’s better. Are you comfortable? I hope
not. Oh we’re going to have such fun …’
Chris Routh
Carroll, Emma
The Week at
World’s End
Faber & Faber
2021, pp320, £12.99
9780571364435
Historical. Adventure. Mystery
This charming, heart-warming
book tells the story of one week
in 1962 in the auspiciously named World’s End
Close. While alarming reports play out on the radio
about Cuba, Russian ships, and nuclear weapons,
Stevie finds the mysterious Anna hiding in her
family’s coal shed, claiming that she’s on the run
and in danger from people who want to poison
her. Together with her best friend Ray, Stevie is
determined to help Anna.
The book expertly weaves in the events of the 1960s
with its story – a period not many children will have
learned about. The Cuban missile crisis is explained
clearly for young readers to understand and the Civil
Rights Movement makes an appearance in letters
from Ray’s family in America, and I really enjoyed
the details about daily life in 1960s Britain. As the
mystery of Anna unfolded, it became clear that there
were no “bad guys”: every character was just trying
to do the best they could in a difficult situation.
Louise Widdowson
Critchley, Emily
The Bear Who
Sailed the Ocean
on an Iceberg
Everything with Words
2021, pp288, £7.99
9781911427216
Adventure. Animals. Family
What a delight this book is to read, to read to oneself
and to read as a class book. Everyone can share in
the magic and wonder of this story.
Patrick finds a polar bear in his freezer, at this point,
if you have not done so already, hold back reality
and allow that imagination to run wild. After all, this
doesn’t happen every day and for that very reason
Patrick is, very sensibly, not sure if he should trust
this bear to be his friend. What he does know is
that this polar bear is hungry. Why is Monty (yes the
polar bear has a name) even in the freezer? Well, he
is lost, of course, and he needs a friend to help put
him back on track. Patrick could be just that friend
– a boy who once enjoyed school and now finds
himself the subject of bullies, Patrick is the boy who
needs a friend more than most. Boy and bear find
one another and we find ourselves on a beautiful,
moving, and utterly unputdownable adventure with
them both.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Curtin, Judi
A Lisadell story:
Lily’s dream
O’Brien Press
2021, pp272, £11.99
9781788492805
Historic. Irish. World War I
Teachers will always welcome
a book which bridges the
transition from simple narratives about children like
the reader, to books which take us to strange new
places and introduce very new ideas. The Lissadell
series has been excellent in offering a transition,
and the latest book, Lily’s Dream, takes the young
reader a step further in insights about another
time and different interests and issues. Set in the
great house at Lissadell, readers return to the life
of Lily the young housemaid, who has grown in
confidence and has the seemingly impossible dream
of becoming a teacher.
It is 1914 and the beginning of the First World War,
and even on the west coast of Ireland, the impact
hurts. Harry the footman enlists, and Lily sees how
much Johanna, an older girl, suffers when he is
reported missing. This insight into the pain of love
is skilfully balanced with Lily’s own sadness that she
may be losing the friendship of Maeve, the daughter
of Countess Markiewicz. This is an astute, wise book
which has a place in any primary classroom.
Jaki Brien
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
45

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
D’Aurelio, D. A.
The Secret Notebook
Raintree
2021, pp219, £6.99
9781398204324
Adventure. Intrigue. Science
Riley Green lives in Washington
DC with her Mum. She is keen to
win her school’s Invention Convention with her
Lie Detecting Pen. However, when she finds her
classroom vandalised and her teacher Dr Schwartz
has left a threat – to ‘Cease and Desist or Die!’ it is
the start of a mystery adventure for Riley and her
friends Henry and Charlotte.
An old notebook belonging to the famous inventor
Nikola Tesla is at the centre of this fast-paced story.
Riley and Henry go to New York to try and retrieve
the notebook and help their teacher. They are
followed, receive threats themselves, and are almost
buried alive in an underground tunnel. Throughout
the story there are excerpts from Tesla’s notebook
and references to his life and work.
This is an unusual story and will appeal to readers
who like a mystery but are also into science and
discoveries. A useful section on the historical
facts about Tesla himself helps the reader to
understand the significance of the notebook Riley
is trying to protect.
Brenda Heathcote
Dockrill, Laura
Blossom
Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Barrington Stoke
2021, pp86, £6.99
9781800900233
Families. Plants. Problem-Solving
This is a heart-warming story
about a girl who loves plants and her parents’ plant
stall. The story shows her love of flowers and plants
and how when her beloved plant stall is threatened,
she is determined to help stop it from closing.
The language and font are clear, with the
occasional, gorgeous illustration to assist with
the reader’s understanding of the plot and
characterization. It truly is a book which a reader
could get very excited about. The use of first person
makes the reader feel like they are Blossom and are
experiencing her joy and sadness as they read.
It has 16 chapters which are no more than 8 pages
in length, with illustrations, so an engaged reader
would read this fairly quickly, and it may be termed
as a “quick-read” in some schools. Overall, I would
recommend this book as a lovely reading for
pleasure text for an upper key stage 2 and lower key
stage 3 reader.
Amy Warrington
Dodd, Sarah
Keeper of Secrets
Firefly
2021, pp240, £6.99
9781913102456
Family. Friendship. Loss
This is a beautiful story. Sarah J.
Dodd explores loss and grief in
an incredibly tender way, with young Emily finding
herself reflected in the orphaned lynx kitten she
finds in the woods of her new home.
Alongside the underlying loss and grief, this story is
heart-warming and exciting, with secrets, scheming,
and mystery filling every page as Emily and her
friends outfox a shadowy hunter.
The exceptional descriptions of wintry
countryside and wildlife draw you into Emily’s
world. This book would be ideal for key stage 3.
The language and descriptions are perfect for the
emerging young reader.
The strong messages, ranging from environment
and rewilding to loss and grief, can be the perfect
openings for meaningful discussion, with both
topics perhaps being more prevalent in recent years
than ever before.
Tegan Burnett
Dooley, Aoife
Frankie’s World
Scholastic
2022, pp258, £8.99
9780702307355
Equality. Bullying. Disability
I love graphic novels and this
middle grade one from Aoife
Dooley is an excellent example
of why I am so enthusiastic about comic books. It
tells the story of Frankie who is in Year 6 and feels so
different from everyone else that she thinks she’s an
alien. She hasn’t got many (if any, at the start) friends
and she struggles to talk to people. By the end of
the book Frankie has found her birth father and
discovered that he has something called autism and
he’s an awful lot like her.
Frankie’s World is a fun and relatable read, Aoife
Dooley is autistic herself, so Frankie’s experiences
have a real ring of authenticity. The story has
underlying themes of bullying, dealing with change,
and learning coping mechanisms, but these themes
are explored with a light touch that never becomes
preachy. This is a brilliant own voices story that
would be popular in any school library.
Bev Humphrey
Edwards, Justyn
The Great Fox Illusion
Walker Books
2021, pp288, £6.99
9781529501940
Mystery. Revenge. Adventure
This oozes untamed mystery,
elegance and grandeur as soon as Felicity Lions
enters into the Great Fox Hunt the greatest
competition of all.
The Great Fox Hunt introduces itself as a competition
for young and enthusiastic magicians, navigating
through an enigma of puzzles. Though, this is no
easy task for Flick and her fellow magicians, as they
must all overcome various obstacles to find the truth
of The Great Fox Illusion.
Readers will engage with this bewildering tale of
friendship, trust, and conviction, where the greatest
of friends must come together to discover the truth
of the ultimate mystery.
Justyn Edwards succeeds in keeping readers on
their toes in every chapter, where readers can truly
immerse themselves into the exploration and hunt
for the winning prize for young magicians. This is an
exciting adventure that is the private world of aspiring
magicians, where a splendid young heroine becomes
the true centrepiece of this mysterious tale. Get ready
for the final twist that is The Great Fox Illusion.
Imogen Blundell
Retold by Ewart,
Franzeska G.
The Tempest
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp96 £6.99
9781472990044
Shakespeare. Plays. Magic
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest
is refreshingly retold by Prospero’s magical spirit
Ariel in this very enjoyable Bloomsbury Reader. Ariel
is a humorous narrator and through his eyes the
reader learns how Prospero uses his skills and the
magic of the island to gather his enemies together
and orchestrate an eventual reconciliation.
The author uses quotes from The Tempest to
enhance the reader’s understanding of the interplay
between characters, magical atmosphere, and
Ariel’s vital role. Presented as a stage play with a
contents page and list of characters, and enhanced
by charming black and white illustrations at the
beginning of each act, this is an excellent retelling
and introduction to The Tempest that can be used
as a reader and by classes studying the play or
Shakespeare in general.
There are some useful pointers at the back of
the book which will help students develop their
knowledge of the play. I also recommend it to staff
as a teaching resource for use with students who are
learning English as a second language.
Judith Palka
46
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Best New Books on Sport
Editor’s pick
Blake Hoena
Could You Be An
Extreme Rock Climber?
Raintree, 2021, 112pp, £6.99
9781398205758
Choose your own adventure,
Rock climbing, Sports
An adventure about rock climbing
in which the reader chooses the
outcome. An extreme sports
adventure series to test your nerve.
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
and Lo Harris (Illustrator)
Michael Jordan
Frances Lincoln, 2021, 36pp, £9.99
9780711259362
Basketball, Biographies, Sport
A simple illustrated biography of
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest
basketball players of time. The
series also includes extra facts, a
biographical timeline and historical
photos at the end.
Rebel Girls
Champions: 25 Tales of
Unstoppable Athletes
Rebel Girls (pubr), 2021, 64pp, £6.99
9781953424082
Biographies, Gender roles, Sport
A collection of short biographies
of 25 women athletes from many
different sports from around the
world with full-page portraits created
by female artists.
Priscilla Mante
Jaz Santos Vs The World
Puffin, 2021, 352pp, £6.99
9780241482001
Equality, Football, School
The first in a series about a girl who
gathers an unlikely group of friends
together to make their own girls’
football team because girls are not
allowed to play on the school team.
Jake Maddox and Eva Morales
(Illustrator)
River Race
Raintree, 2021, 72pp, £6.99
9781398214781
Adventure, Teamwork, Water sports
Four friends must work together
when they enter a white water rafting
race rather than compete against one
another. One in a series of sports.
Emily Stead
The Football Encyclopedia
Welbeck Children’s Books, 2021,
128pp, £16.99
9781783125289
Encyclopaedias, Football, Sport
A general encyclopaedia of world
football with facts, stats, records and
profiles of the best teams and players
around the world.
David Ballheimer
Football Legends: The Top
100 Stars of the Modern Game
Welbeck Publishing Group, 2020,
112pp, £9.99
9781839350160
Football, Infographics, Sport
Facts and stats about top footballers
in the style of Top Trumps cards.
Records presented concisely and
with the use of infographics.
​Jason Reynolds
Lu
Knights of, 2020, 256pp, £6.99
9781913311063
Athletics, School, Sport
Lu knows he can lead his team to
victory at the championships, but he
has to learn to be that team player.
One in a series.
Farrant, Natasha
The Girl Who
Talked to Trees
Zephyr
2021, pp224, £12.99
9781800242234
Trees. Time. Stories
What a delight! The idea of trees being story keepers
and witnesses to magic and history is magical in
itself. Eleven-year-old Olive is very shy and her best
friend is an old oak tree in the garden of her house
that she talks to while lying in its branches.
When her father wants to chop it down to build a
summerhouse on its site, Olive is devastated and
determined to save it. Travelling back in time to
when her oak tree was a tiny sapling, she becomes
an adventurer in its story as well as those of six other
trees: Linden, Alder, Plane, Wild Apple, Tulip Tree
and Box.
This book has a strong conservation message and
includes fascinating facts about tree science as well
as the magic and beauty of seven original stories
from around the globe. It is beautifully produced
and the colourful illustrations tell their stories well,
drawing you into their fantasy worlds.
This book would be a treasured gift for any child (or
adult!) and reminds us all of the importance of trees
in our lives.
Sue Bastone
Foulkes, Alex
Rules for Vampires
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
2021, pp351, £7.99
9781471199554
Monster. Mystery. Spooky
Alex Foulkes’ debut novel, the first
in a brand new monstrous romp of a series, opens
with 11-year-old Leo on the night of her first hunt,
which goes very, very wrong as Leo seems to forget
rule number one of the Vampire Laws – the Vampire
will not enter uninvited …
Failing to complete her first kill, Leo inadvertently
creates a monster. Furious at its new existence,
the monster goes on a rampage and it is up to
Leo and her best friend to save the Dreadwald, a
vast forest, and Otto’s End, the very human-filled
neighbouring village.
The result is a deliciously dark yet monstrously
funny adventure, as curious Leo and her delightfully
unusual family try to fix things. The true joy here
is the atmosphere that comes from a combination
of Foulkes’ humorous and knowing tone, and Sara
Ogilvie’s gorgeously spooky illustrations.
A spooky romp with an emotionally heightened
centre, this is a fast-paced, fully immersive, and
heartfelt adventure.
Charlotte Harrison
Foxlee, Karen
Dragon Skin
Pushkin Children’s Books
2021, pp325, £7.99
9781782692997
Domestic Violence. Grief. Families
Troubled Pip spends her time
daydreaming and keeping away
from her unhappy family situation as her mother is
a shadow of her former self since abusive bullying
Matt moved in.
Pip is mourning her best friend who was lost in
the flood and often has imaginary conversations
with him. But one night everything changes; she
finds a small, injured creature at the waterhole
and gradually nurses it back from near death.
Instinctively, she knows it is a dragon and feels a
bond forming as she wills it to survive and pours all
her pain and hurt into achieving this.
In a lot of ways, saving the dragon mirrors saving
herself as both start to heal, stretch their wings, and
grow stronger. When some of Pip’s schoolmates
discover her secret and offer help, she has to let
others in and finds that trust and other friendships
are possible after all. Her dragon must get back to
its world, but can Pip and her mum find a better life
too? A powerful and uplifting story of love, loss, and
courage against domestic violence.
Sue Polchow
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
47

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
French, Vivian
The Runaways of
Haddington Hall
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp304, £6.99
9781406387537
Historical Fiction. Adventure.
Friendship
This pacey adventure features hard-done-by
children forming unlikely friendships and plotting
the demise of despicable grown-ups. Min, Enry,
and Edith prove to be artful dodgers with powers
of observation, speed, and disguise they use
to outsmart wicked fraudsters, like Obadiah
Marpike, and well-meaning philanthropists, like
Mrs Haddington and Lady Lavingley.
These characters are more concerned with lining
their own pockets than easing the lives of Pocket
Street working folk like Min, whose mum does the
gentry’s dirty laundry. Young readers will recognise
the unfairness depicted in this historical fiction,
seeing that it’s high time things were put right: time
some of the high-and-mighty folks were taken
down a peg or two. Easier said than done.
Readers will be on the edge of their seats until
the last page is satisfyingly turned. Warmly
recommended and a possible class read linking to
the Victorians.
Jane Rew
Griffiths Andy,
and Denton, Terry
The 143-Storey
Treehouse: Camping
Hoots and Soggy Boots
Macmillan’s Children’s Books
2021, pp288, £12.99
9781529047875
Humour. Adventure. Mystery
With thirteen new levels including a historical
village, a camping round, and a deep, dark cave
complete with fire-breathing dragon, it’s time to
return to everyone’s favourite treehouse.
It’s been a stressful time for Andy, so Terry arranges
a lovely relaxing holiday up on their new camping
ground level. Unfortunately, Terry forgets to pack the
tent. And the food. And to make matters worse, their
fellow campers begin to mysteriously disappear.
With a compelling plot, high stakes, and plenty of
laughs, the eleventh instalment of the ‘Treehouse’
series doesn’t disappoint. Fantastic for sharing aloud,
the book is also terrific for encouraging independent
reading, with a friendly, familiar format and a
careful balance of text and images. The ‘Word of the
Page’ and accompanying definitions helps expand
vocabulary in a light and engaging way and even
grownups will find plenty to keep them amused as
Andy and Terry clatter from one wacky adventure to
the next. Bold, big-hearted, and utterly brilliant.
Alison King
Henry, Lenny
The Boy With Wings
Illustrated by Keenon Ferrell
Macmillan Children’s Books
2021, pp224, £12.99
9781529067835
Adventure. Families. Conflict
This is a British mash-up of Black Panther,
Superman’s back story, and a finding your true self
tale. Tunde moves to secondary school, is happy in
his British Caribbean adoptive family, and tries to deal
with the racist and bullying behaviour he encounters.
A diverse group of friends support him with his
hopes of joining the school football team. But why
have his adoptive parents forbidden him to take part
in sports? Where did he really come from? Why has
he sprouted wings?
It’s a delightful romp of a tale – addressing issues of
racism, diversity and refugees face on. However, it’s
the character of Tunde that comes to the fore – a
superhero of our times and with a different approach
to dealing with conflict and saving the world.
This is a book that is very good for role-modelling,
exploring the motivation of characters, and with the
potential for pupils to develop their own storylines.
At times there is a mix of fonts used for some
keywords in the text which may not be very
dyslexia friendly.
Janet Dowling
Hope, Lucy
Fledgling
Nosy Crow
2021, pp283, £7.99
9781839941887
Loss. Families. Supernatural
This book is a mysterious, magical
story packed with eccentric, unusual
characters, from the aging opera singer who lives to
open her roof to sing to the stars, to the taxidermist
and his eerie collection of stuffed owls.
The story centres around Cassie and the events that
unfold when a cherub is blown into her bedroom
during a storm. Cassie immediately feels protective
of the little cherub, but when she goes to her
best friend Raphael for help, he seems strangely
experienced with cherubs and angels.
Cassie experiences the loss of characters around
her in various different ways, from her dying
grandmother to her distant parents. The theme
of loss permeates the book without being at all
heavy-handed.
Fledgling is reminiscent of David Almond’s Skellig,
gothic and surreal without being scary or horrific.
There are creepy vibes throughout, with even the
house itself seeming somehow alive. The setting
of the Bavarian forest is little explored in children’s
books.
Louise Widdowson
Jones, Gareth
Solve Your Own
Mystery: The
Monster Maker
Illustrated by Louise Forshaw
Stripes Publishing
2021, pp204, £6.99
9781788953115
Monsters. Fantasy. Mystery
Haventry is a town with ghosts, monsters, goblins,
werewolves, witches, and vampires, and the
occasional human. One of these is Dr Franklefink,
who has come to the offices of the local private
investigator, Klaus, a yeti with lots of experience in
his trade, demanding to know who stole his monster
maker. Another of the humans is you, the reader.
You are the PI’s assistant, and you need to be very
alert and follow every clue. The monster maker went
missing during a party, so there are lots of suspects.
Which of them should you interview first? What order
should you do things in? Who can you believe? What
should you do with your unexpected findings?
This is an imaginative interactive mystery novel with
plenty of intrigue and humour, written in second
person. It will appeal greatly to lovers of chooseyour-own
adventures. At the end of each chapter,
the reader is invited to make decisions about where
to go or what to do next. Depending on their
choices, different possibilities emerge.
Anne Harding
Lake, Nick
Locked Out Lily
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
2021, pp236, £12.99
9781471194832
Families. Illness. Adventure
Lily wants things to be just as
they used to be, before she was sick and before
her parents decided to have another baby. Lily is
sent to stay with her Grandma when her parents go
to the hospital for the birth of the baby, but she is
determined to go home, making the journey alone.
On arrival she finds what appears to be her parents
in the house. Who are these imposters and what is
going on? Teaming up with some unlikely animal
companions, Lily embarks on an adventure to defeat
these ‘replacement parents’.
Containing black and white illustrations to support
the development of the allegorical story, this book
will support children who are experiencing the
range of emotions associated with the birth of
a baby in the family. A delightful and, in places,
witty story.
Michelle Armstrong-Harris
48
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Lawrence, Iszi
Billie Swift Takes Flight
Mastragostino, Matteo
Primo Levi
McLaughlin, Tom
Goodfellows
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp320, £5.59
9781472988171
Planes. History. Bravery
Fascinated by different types of
planes, Billie, an inquisitive 12-year-old, finds herself
at the scene of the crash of a Spitfire. Involving
the ATA, who were concerned with the delivery of
aircraft during the Second World War from factories
to the many airfields scattered around the country,
this story is both informative and exciting.
During her adventure she meets the First Lady,
President Roosevelt’s wife, and also the wife of
Winston Churchill. I found the story a bit slow to
start with, but once it got going it was full of twists
and turns. An easy read for older primary students,
Billie comes across as a strong character and a girl
who wants to always find out more.
In her adventures she meets some amazing
characters and intrepid individuals who love
flying. Many of those who delivered the planes
were brave and intrepid souls who contributed a
great deal to the war effort. An excellent read with
a fast-moving story.
Godfrey Hall
Illustrated by Alessandro Ranghiasci
Translated by Alberto Toscano
2021, pp136, £12.99
9781771135221
Graphic Novel. Holocaust.
Empathy.
Written as a graphic novel, this is based on
Primo Levi, an Italian Jewish chemist who ended
up working in the labs at Auschwitz during the
holocaust.
With haunting images, this book depicts the
horrendous struggles and dwindling hopes of the
inmates, the pure evil of the prison guards, and the
humanity of strangers.
Primo is telling his story to a class of children. At
first, they don’t understand the horrors the Jews
went through – some comparing a prison camp
to school, and laughing about it. It really portrays
the children’s lack of understanding and empathy
towards such an important time in history. By the
end, they fully comprehend, and I think this is what
stood out for me – the gradual realisation and
understanding from the children and how important
it is that the younger generations are, and continue
to be, educated about the holocaust.
Despite some choice words (but nothing too
offensive), every child should read this book.
Angela Dyson
Barrington Stoke
2021, pp97, £6.99
9781800900363
Humour. Crime. Families
Tom McLaughlin is well known for his
hilarious stories that also benefit from his witty and
expressive illustrations, and this is another corker for
Barrington Stoke in their Super Readable series for
reading ages of 8+.
The sophisticated humour of this story of mistaken
identity ensures that it will appeal to a wide age
range. The older reader will also be able to get all
the filmic references, as will any adults sharing it
with children.
The Goodfellows family win the holiday of a
lifetime to New York but get mixed up in Mafia plots
and accidentally commit a robbery because they
are mistaken for the Goodfellas commissioned
by the Mafia boss to commit said robbery. The
Goodfellow’s family dynamic is very well developed,
with the high-achieving perfect daughter and
the underachieving younger son who spends his
time on computer games and yet turns out to be
the one with all the ideas of how to escape their
predicament and knows about how to handle
gangsters! A really enjoyable page turner with a
wide appeal.
Joy Court
Meres, Jonathan
Noodle the Doodle
Steals the Show
Illustrated by Katy Halford
Barrington Stoke
2021, pp82, £6.99
9781800900189
School. Humour. Dogs
Supported by the lovely, lively, and diverse
illustrations from Katy Halford, this is a really
enjoyable and warm tale featuring the most
adorable class dog – a doodle called Noodle! I am
sure all young readers would like to be in Mr Reed’s
class. Mr Reed can of course understand everything
that Noodle says, and Noodle is a big help to all the
children, but really comes into his own when shy
new boy Samir arrives.
Although all the children are friendly, it is Noodle
who really makes him feel welcome. When the
class decides on a charity fundraising talent show,
Samir does not think he has a talent, but Noodle
knows better and together they turn out to be
stars of the show.
This is the second adventure featuring this adorable
dog and Barrington Stoke have also produced some
activities to accompany these super-readable titles
for a reading age of 8. They are a delight to read and
capture the humorous and lively dialogue between
classmates particularly well.
Joy Court
Miller, Ben
How I Became a
Dog Called Midnight
Simon & Schuster Children’s
2021, pp302, £12.99
9781471192487
Magic. Grief. Adventure
George and his father, Gabe, live in a cottage on
Lady Jane’s estate. George is grieving for his mother
and also for the dog that was given away in the
aftermath of the bereavement.
Lady Jane and her daughter, Koko, come back from
a cruise round the world with a big surprise: Lady
Jane has got married to Clive – a magician on the
ship. Clive has brought his dog, Midnight, with him.
Clive starts behaving suspiciously and George
suspects that Clive is up to no good. One night,
George follows Clive and Midnight and accidentally
exchanges places with Midnight. It’s fun and strange
being a dog, but can George stop Clive’s dastardly
plans? He urgently needs to swap back to being a
boy again. This calls for some canine help …
This is a funny and action-packed story full of
adventure and magic. It uses the classic body-swap
device, but the action is fast-paced, the characters
are engaging, and the problems – although tied in
with magic – are pertinent to the modern child.
Andrea Rayner
Mitchell, Pratima
Bamba Beach
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp80, £6.99
9781472989987
Poverty. Resilience. Friendship
Hari’s family struggles to make
money in his village of Bamba
Beach on the coast of Goa in India. Since the
tsunami, the larger fish, which can be sold to hotels
serving the region’s tourists, are farther out to
sea, an area Hari cannot reach in his father’s small
coconut wood boat.
This slim ‘dark blue band’ book for upper key stage
2 children is part of the diverse and engaging
Bloomsbury Readers series accompanied by free
teacher notes developed in partnership with CLPE.
Readers are given an insight into the challenges
faced by children in developing countries who have
to balance school studies and paid work for their
families to survive. Through Hari’s eyes we see the
dynamics between the wealthy and poor in his
village and grow to admire his determination to help
his family and support his neighbours.
This tale of friendship and forgiveness has welldrawn
characters, set against a culturally rich
tropical backdrop. At 73 pages, Bamba Beach is ideal
for pupils who struggle to read longer novels.
Jane Broadis
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
49

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Morpurgo, Michael
When Fishes Flew
HarperCollins Children’s Books
2021, pp188, £12.99
9780008352189
Greece. Myths. World War II
Whenever Great-Aunt Ellie visits
her nephew and his family in Melbourne, her
enthusiasm for her home island of Ithaca in Greece
inspires her great-niece Nandi (Amanda) with a
similar love. When Ellie becomes too frail to travel,
Nandi determines to visit her unannounced, but Ellie
has disappeared.
Nandi is amazed at how loved and popular Ellie
is: she has been a mother and guardian to the
people of Ithaca over the years, from the German
occupation of World War II and onwards. When Ellie
reappears, she has only taken two Syrian refugees
under her protection, old as she is (she’s in her
nineties and irrepressible).
Morpurgo’s storytelling is direct, grabbing readers’
attention immediately. The introductory section
could perhaps have been edited to avoid some
repetition, but the impression of all things Greek is
pervasive and vivid. The use of Proteus, one of the
more attractive of the ancient gods, as a storytelling
device lends an element of magic to a serious
subject, making the book perhaps more suitable for
an older age-group than the fantasy would suggest.
Peter Andrews
Murphy, Pip
Christie and Agatha’s
Detective Agency: A
Discovery Disappears
Illustrated by Roberta Tedeschi
Sweet Cherry Publishing
2021, pp123, £6.99
9781782268147
Mystery. Biography. Detectives
This is the first in a new detective series set in
the 1920s and it promises to be an exciting and
informative series for young readers. Cleverly
combining real people and events with imagined
detective twins, Christie and Agatha (which will
amuse the adults!), this story has a good plot based
around the discovery of penicillin and introduces
many famous people of the past.
Shy Agatha buries her nose in books and dreams
of becoming a writer. When she gets a chance
to meet her hero, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, little
does she know she will become involved in the
disappearance of a major scientific discovery hidden
in a sandwich. Together with her twin, Christie, she
solves the mystery, much to Mr. Alexander Fleming’s
relief.
With an interesting nod to Hercule Poirot, this book
is great fun and young readers will love Agatha and
Christie and their adventures, while meeting real-life
heroes.
Sue Bastone
Nair, Preethi
Monster Life Lessons:
Anjali’s Story: My
Magical Lip Balm
Adventure
Kiss the Frog Press
2021, pp176, £8.69
9781998997206
Self-confidence. Families. Grief
The story begins with Anjali sharing a major problem
in her life … chapped lips. As trivial as this may seem,
we soon discover that 10-year-old Anjali has recently
lost her Ammamma (grandmother) and, following a
comment from the mean new teacher, has started to
hate Maths.
Everything changes with lockdown, and Anjali’s
experience of distance learning does not help her
anxieties surrounding maths. Anjali’s mum decides to
try to make maths fun for Anjali by starting their own
business: making organic lip balms.
The road to success is not always smooth, but Anjali
and her mum work together, learning more about
each other (and maths!) along the way.
This is a diverting story with an engaging protagonist
that will delight entrepreneurial and eco-minded
readers. The first in the ‘Monster Life Lessons’ series,
it sensitively deals with the loss of a loved one and
demonstrates how friendships and self-confidence
can blossom where you least expect it.
Cari Lake
Nilsson, Frida
Hattie + Olaf
Illustrated by Stina Wirsen
Translated by Julia Marshall
Gecko Press
2021, pp181, £7.99
9781776573189
Friends. School. Donkey
This novel tells the story of a bright and strongheaded
girl called Hattie, who lives in rural Sweden
and dreams about having her own horse. When
Hattie’s dad brings her a donkey called Olaf, Hattie is
not exactly ecstatic at first.
As Hattie gradually warms up to Olaf, she has to
deal with all sorts of other drama, mostly relating to
family, school, and friends, often making mistakes
and hasty decisions as she goes.
I enjoyed this charming and high-spirited novel,
which originally comes from Sweden and already
feels like a modern classic. It’s refreshing and
relatable (even for someone who doesn’t own a
donkey) and there is something heart-warming but
also respectful about the way the author depicts
Hattie’s concerns and observations; it shows a
perfect balance between keeping the story amusing
and taking the young protagonist’s dilemmas
seriously. It also tackles issues such as bullying, the
value of empathy and loyalty, and discovering what
truly matters in life.
Marzena Currie
Oxtra, Cristina
Girls Survive: Tara and
the Towering Waves
Raintree
2021, pp102, £6.99
9781398204966
Adventure. Real Event. Survival.
This uses the powerful and harrowing experience
of the 2004 Tsunami that rocked the world, but hit
hardest in South-East Asia. Tara and her mum have
travelled to Thailand for their Christmas holiday.
Exploring the market one morning, Tara hears a
rumbling sound and looks disbelievingly at the
mountain of water washing the entire market away.
Running for her life, she gets tossed underwater
and separated from her mum. The focus is now
on surviving and searching for her mum. Bravery
and hope are all Tara can cling to while in hospital
waiting for news. Their reunion is a beautiful
moment, but it highlights the sadness and grief
around them as thousands remain lost and grieving,
hoping for happy news.
The timeline of the events is clear and terrifying,
showing just how the people rallied to search, share,
and support each other and how the world came
together to help in any way they could. This series
is sure to be a hit, showing how the human spirit is
designed to survive.
Erin Hamilton
Palacio R.J.
Pony
Puffin
2021, pp304, £12.99
9780141377056
Friendship. Western. Supernatural
Pony follows the adventures of
Silas Bird (and his ghost friend Mittenwool) as he
attempts to rescue his father who was taken at gun
point by three strangers one night. With the help of
the mysteriously magic Pony, and several friends
along the way, Palacio weaves together a brilliantly
neat and subtle Wild West adventure plot which is
sure to engage and inspire readers, although it is at
times a little predictable.
This adventure explores themes of love,
friendship, courage, morality, death, and kinship
in a heart wrenching coming-of-age work. Each
chapter is also themed with beautiful poetry
quotations and Wild Western media which helps
bring the work to life.
Photography, science, and music are also
referenced extensively, which may be more familiar
to readers with prior knowledge of these subjects.
At times dark and grotesque, there are descriptions
of wounds, fighting, and killing scenes which may
be less appropriate for the more sensitive reader.
Meg Barclay
50
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Parr, Lesley
When the War
Came Home
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
2022, pp320, £6.99
9781526649843
World War I. PTSD. Mystery
This is definitely an author to
watch out for. A moving story about post-war
Britain, this story is set in South-West Wales. Natty
and her mother have to move from their home
to live with relatives in Ynsfach. Natty feels angry
and frustrated, particularly as it is her mother’s
outspoken nature and standing up for her feminist
rights that have caused her to lose her job and their
home too.
There are two inter-linked stories: one is about Natty
and her cousin Nerys and their fight to persuade
the school to provide free meals. The other story
concerns her other cousin, Huw, who has come
back from the war suffering from PTSD. He has also
lost a dear friend, Rhys, presumed dead.
No spoilers here, but the book ends on an upbeat
note. There is a real sense of place and strong
friendships between Natty and Nerys, as well as
between Nerys and the soldier, Johnny. The theme
of PTSD, probably not often tackled in children’s
books, is sensitively dealt with here.
Sarah Seddon
Peake, Tim and
Cole, Steve
Swarm Rising
Hodder Children’s Books
2021, pp281, £12.99
9781444960846
Adventure. STEM. Friendship
This is a sensational science and
technology infused novel.
Danny, a teenager who loves online gaming, is
contacted by someone called Adi who needs his
help, and soon Danny is kidnapped and swept up in
a whirlwind of adventure and mind-bending science
as Adi turns out to be far from human and is part
of the Swarm; he is a scout who has gone rogue.
The Swarm are a super advanced alien civilisation
which wants to help ‘save’ the earth but whose help
threatens the entire human race; Danny, best friend
Jamila, and Adi are all that stand in the way of the
Swarm.
This is a really exciting and fast-paced, page turning
adventure story, with lots of great ideas and science
for readers to think about and enjoy. It would be a
great novel to link in with STEM topics and computer
programming and coding. The glossary for science
terms and Swarm speak are a real boon as are the
morse code activities. Adventure, fun, science, and
friendship!
Stephen Leitch
Pearson, Jenny
Grandpa Frank’s
Great Big Bucket List
Usborne Publishing ltd
2022, pp336, £6.99
9781474974066
Adventure. Humour. Family
Eleven-year-old Frank is left an
inheritance of £462,000 by a step-grandma he
didn’t know he had. The money would solve all his
mum and dad’s problems but grandma has placed
conditions on its use. She has asked Frank to look
after his grandfather who lives at the Autumnal
Leaves Residential Home. So, Frank devises a bucket
list of crazy activities to make his grandfather’s
sunset years the best life possible.
Hot air ballooning, parkour, synchronised
swimming, and walking a very large dog all feature
in this laugh out loud adventure. But will Frank
succeed in his final aim of repairing the relationship
between his dad and grandpa?
A hilarious romp through some outrageous
adventures as Frank and his family find the key to
their happiness.
Ellen Krajewski
Pennypacker, Sara
Pax: Journey Home
HarperCollins Childrens Books
2021, pp246, £12.99
9780008470289
Family. Animals. Environment
The sequel to the acclaimed novel
Pax resumes the story a year later. Orphaned by the
war, Peter now lives with Vola. His rescue fox, Pax,
has adapted to living in the wild with a family of
his own. Both the teenager and the fox embark on
a journey during which their paths will cross once
again. As before, their story is beautifully told from
both points of view in alternating chapters.
Still grieving, Peter is determined to avoid becoming
too attached to his new home and “family”. He joins
an environmental group, planning to visit his old
family home with his father’s ashes – but has no
intention of returning. An encounter with a young
couple, however, prompts Peter to face his demons.
Meanwhile, Pax is searching for a safer place for his
family, followed by his rumbustious daughter who is
poisoned by contaminated water.
There are many themes to think about, including
conflict, connectedness, community, and kindness,
and combined with its strong emotional content,
this would make a great choice for a key stage 3
book group or class.
Chris Routh
Powell, Nick
Poppy Goes Wild
Little Steps Publishing
2021, pp84, £14.99
9781912678266
Nature. Animals.
Environmentalism
We join Poppy and her Grandad, who share a special
bond and love for their family farm and nature, as
they start on a journey to return the land back to
countryside so that flowers and animals can return
to their rightful homes.
This book is bold, bright, and beautifully illustrated
throughout as it captures the transformation of
an environment and inspires us to all play our part
in caring for the natural world. As a reader you
understand why farming techniques were used in
the past and how we need to take back ownership of
these natural spaces to create lasting change to save
our natural environment.
The author and illustrator truly capture the beauty
and wonder of the countryside – you want to be
there exploring and experiencing it with Poppy. I
hope that we hear more from Poppy again soon in
her quest to help nature work its magic and I will
leave you with a quote from her Grandad: ‘In nature,
nothing tries to be perfect, because everything
already is’.
Lucy Carlton-Walker
Rauf, Onjali Q.
The Lion above
the Door
Orion Books
2021, pp376, £7.99
781510106758
Diversity. Bullying. Families.
This sensitively written, tear-inducing, outstanding
story is an essential addition to your collection.
The Lion Above the Door recognises previously
neglected true stories of the contribution of our
whole society to both World Wars, alongside topical
themes of bullying, friendship, bravery, and family,
both inside school and the community. Leo’s battle
against his bullies, and an adventure to find the
truth behind his name, takes him and his family
from being stared at in their village of Whot, to a
triumphant end with love for all.
With maps, photographs and biographies, this
compelling read enables children to see themselves
in a book perhaps for the first time. Teachers need
to read this to ensure their class feel part of the
lesson being taught, and librarians need to read this
story to inform their book buying. This book is truly
representative, and I know it will rarely be on the
shelf in my library as it will always be on loan.
I could have written so much more about this book
– it is absolutely wonderful.
Jenny Griffiths
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
51

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Reid, Christopher
Old Toffer’s Book of
Consequential Dogs
Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Faber & Faber
2021, pp112, £14.99
9780571334100
Animals. Poetry. Humour
If you’re a dog lover, Old Toffer’s Book of
Consequential Dogs will not fail to delight and
amuse. A companion to TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s
Book of Practical Cats, Christopher Reid has created
a lovely collection of poems that explores dogs and
all their quirks and characteristics.
This new edition is a real treat and perfect to
share aloud. Reid plays with form and verse in
a sophisticated way, just as you’d expect from
any worthy successor to Eliot. The structure and
language match perfectly with the character of
each animal, making each poem also an ideal
performance piece.
Faber, Eliot’s original publisher, has commissioned
beautiful gift editions of both titles featuring brand
new illustrations throughout. This is lovingly
illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. Her images are sketchy
and scrappy, yet gorgeously colourful and
packed with character, making them the perfect
accompaniment to Reid’s often funny and playful
depictions of these pups.
Becca Watts
Reynolds, Jason
Stuntboy in
the Meantime
Illustrated by Raul the Third
Nights of Media
2021, pp272, £7.99
9781913311247
Friendship. Conflict. Resilience
Superheroes can come in many different shapes
and sizes. Enter Stuntboy, who is not your typical
superhero.
At first this book may not seem different from other
stories about superheroes, but what distinguishes
this book are several things: first, the quality of
the comic strip illustrations – humorous and
informative, complementing the text perfectly;
secondly, the fact that our superhero has friends
and enemies (gasp!) who are not always easy to
deal with; and thirdly, the fact that as the story
progresses, readers will find themselves identifying
more and more with the superhero, who is not
unlike many readers.
This is where Reynolds’ gift for story telling becomes
apparent – not only can he tell a good story, but he
can carry the readers along while they identify with
and root for our hero and his sidekicks.
Various issues are dealt with that are not always
easy for children; in that sense, the book has a lot to
recommend itself.
Rudolf Loewenstein
Compiled by Shaw, May
The Magical Unicorn
Society: Unicorns
Myths and Monsters
Illustrated by Olga Baumert
Michael O’Mara Books Ltd
2021, pp128, £9.99
9781789293494
Unicorns. Myth. Adventure
This beautiful book is a wonderful collection of
stories and myths from around the world, covering
amazing mythical creatures and their interactions
with different types of unicorns.
Tales include characters such as fire-breathing
dragons, phoenixes, naughty imps and sprites,
ominous kraken, and terrifying werewolves, with
battles, quests, and practical help from different
types of unicorns. Through each adventure, the
theme of courage in the face of danger, with strong
protagonists who are often female, is set against
beautifully described mythical surroundings with
pacey and accessible plots.
EDITOR’S PICK
Stunningly atmospheric full-colour artwork creates
an immersive experience sure to engage any creative
and imaginative pupil.
The artwork will also support weaker pupils by
stimulating vocabulary and imagination through
description activities and creativity games. Stories can
be read consecutively or as stand-alones.
Meg Barclay
Smith, Nikki Shannon
The Dramatic Life
of Azaleah Lane
Illustrated by Gloria Felix
Raintree
2021, pp100, £6.99
9781398203426
Humour. Friendship. Families
Anyone out there a middle child? I am not but
that doesn’t mean that I cannot relate to the life of
Azeleah Lane; it is so richly, diversely illustrated and
told to us through this easy to read, glossy, excellent
book for middle grade readers. Text is nicely spaced,
illustration is bold and bright, and the story is both
funny and touching, talking with a genuine voice (a
child’s voice) directly to its reader.
Azaleah is 8 years old, and she is the middle sister.
Being in the middle is not always easy but it is
something that Azeleah can carry off with style
and a smattering of charm too! When her big sister
is cast in the school musical in a starring role, the
whole family are excited. But it is now as the show is
cast that the real drama begins and everything goes
wrong, so much so that Azaleah believes there to be
foul play at work – can the middle sister step up to
save the day?
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Soundar, Chitra
Sindu and Jeet’s
Detective Agency
Illustrated by Amberin Huq
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp96, £6.99
9781472993311
Detective. Mystery. Family
Sindhu and Jeet’s Detective Agency is a reimagined
modern-day tale of the Nancy Drew series. This
fast-paced, exciting whodunnit mystery takes us on
a journey from Chennai, India, to London, England.
This mystery novel follows young siblings, Sindhu
and Jeet, for what is meant to be their relaxing
holiday with their family. Though it does not take
long before Sindhu and Jeet find themselves in the
middle of a robbery.
Throughout the book, Soundar uses many literary
devices, such as onomatopoeic language, keeping
young readers alert and engaged. Soundar’s
strong use of language and attractive storyline is
complemented by Amberin Huq’s illustrations that
offer refreshing representations of characters from
different backgrounds and cultures
There is something in this book for every young
reader, a story that can be read at home or in
school, that touches upon the history and culture
of London in addition to challenging young readers’
literary skills.
Imogen Blundell
Stewart, Paul
Hat-Trick
Barrington Stoke
2021, pp80, £6.99
9781781129357
Football. Bullying. Friendship
The hat-trick in the title of this
football story involves winning the same town
trophy three years running, after which you keep
the cup for good. Danny’s team have won in the
last two years of primary school but changing
schools at 11 has meant a change of PE teacher
and football coach.
Danny, a natural goalkeeper, finds himself the
chosen victim of a bullying teacher, Mr Carlton, and
can do nothing right. When he is finally dropped
from the team, Danny and his friends plot reprisal
against Mr Carlton with a neat April Fool’s joke.
Mr Carlton’s unwise reaction seals his fate and
restores Danny to the team. The plot is very
familiar, and Mr Carlton is a demon figure from
another age, but the book has all the Barrington
Stoke hallmarks: accessible language, a clear
storyline, a friendly typeface on good paper, and
amusing illustrations. Just the thing for struggling
readers mad on football.
Peter Hollindale
52
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Fiction and Poetry
Stowell, Louie
Loki: A Bad God’s
Guide to Being Good
Walker Books Ltd
2022, pp240, £6.99
9781406399752
Diary. Doodles. Hilarious
Loki, the trickster Norse god
has been thrown out of Asgard for outrageous
behaviour. He jokingly cut off the goddess Sif’s long
blonde hair while she slept. But the gods were not
amused. Furious, Odin banished Loki to earth in the
guise of a weedy 11-year-old schoolboy. Loki has to
reform in a month, or he will face eternal damnation
in a snake pit! Another downside is that two gods
(whom Loki detested) are to be his “fake” parents,
and flatulent but popular Thor is his pretend brother,
keeping an eye on Loki when his parents are not
around (e.g. at school.)
There are laughs throughout the book. Loki is
desperate to delete his bad points score. His diary,
however, has a wicked sense of mischief. It corrects
any “untruths” Loki may write so that his bad points
score rises exponentially!
Although Loki behaves badly, we do feel for him as
he gets deeper into trouble and awaits his fate ...
Fans of popular graphic novels will enjoy the fun
and the mixture of text, comic strips, and doodles.
Lee Giddings
Tarakson, Stella
Magic Animal Café:
Harriot the Caretaker
Mouse
Sweet Cherry Publishing
2021, pp128, £6.99
9781782269304
Adventure. Mystery. Animals
A promising start to a new series sees Ellie, her mum,
and eight cats move into an old, neglected building
that used to belong to Ellie’s great grandfather, with
plans to open a cat café downstairs. The Andersons
soon move in too and although Ellie’s not keen on
Blake and his boisterous puppy, they start exploring
the house together. They spot a mouse – bad news
for the proposed café – and, following it, discover
a locked trunk containing a magical old phone that
allows them to talk with animals.
Unfortunately, Herriot the mouse is not alone and
neither mice nor humans are happy sharing the
house. Luckily Ellie and Herriot agree a compromise
– for now.
Hints from Herriot of a mystery to solve and a threat
to the café from a property developer in the last
couple of pages will leave young readers eagerly
awaiting the next book in the ‘Magic Animal Café’
series. Scant on explanation, background, or detail
to slow the action, and with short chapters.
Lynn Marshall
Wegelius, Jakob
The False Rose
Pushkin Children’s Books
2021, pp528, £16.99
9781782693215
Adventure. Animal. Kindness
This entertaining tale is told by
a gorilla, Sally Jones, who is
also a ship’s engineer. When she and her friend the
Chief, a sea captain, find a priceless pearl necklace
hidden on their boat, they set out to trace its rightful
owner. Their quest takes them to Glasgow.
This is the early twentieth century, and rival gangs
rule the Glasgow underworld. Our brave seafarers
are captured by a gang, whose boss, Moira Brodie,
covets the necklace. She forces the Chief to captain
her ship on a whisky-smuggling voyage.
Sally Jones is kept prisoner in Glasgow, struggling
to survive in the gang wars. Happily, she is a very
resourceful gorilla. After many dark and violent
doings (though nobody comes to much harm),
Sally and the Chief escape Glasgow and complete
their quest. Sally is a very kind gorilla, and her story
depicts a kindly world with some shocking villains in
it, just right for many children.
Beautifully illustrated by the author, with short,
action-packed chapters, this is a chunky but fast and
enjoyable read.
Peter Hollindale
Weil, Zaro
When Poems
Fall from The Sky
Troika Books
2021, pp240, £15.00
9781909991958
Seasons. Nature. Poetry
This is an anthology of
poems, raps, rhymes, haikus, and short plays
celebrating the earth, seasons, and all of nature.
Sensitively illustrated throughout, it is a joyful
collection to dip into and read out loud or to take
inspiration from to create new stories and rhymes.
I was particularly moved by ‘Tree’s Story’ – told as
a prose poem in five parts exploring a tree’s life and
its role in the world. Published in association with
the Royal Botanic Garden Kew, this collection is
accessible to both children and adults. It is a good
book for individual reading and would also work for
reading as a class.
Janet Dowling
Wilson, Jacqueline
The Primrose
Railway Children
Illustrated by Racheal Dean
Puffin
2021, pp512, £12.99
9780241517765
Family. Adventure. Classic
Dame Jacqueline Wilson is a staple author for many
children – with her accessible writing and talent for
dealing with hard-hitting topics. This book is loosely
based on The Railway Children by E Nesbit, with a
modern twist on the classic tale.
It’s an interesting story about a family whose dad
disappears; they struggle with his absence, and even
the mum seems unaware of his whereabouts. They
move to a cottage in the country, and it is here that
they become part of the Primrose Railway.
The story is told from the perspective of the
daughter, and the characters have a childhood
innocence that I really liked, and which adds to the
appeal of the book especially for the age group it’s
aimed at. Furthermore, the way in which Perry’s
autism is dealt with and written about is refreshing
to read, especially in a children’s book.
At 494 pages it is quite a long read, but it is broken
up with beautiful illustrations by Rachael Dean.
Emma Price
Woolfe, Angela
Roxy & Jones:
The Curse of the
Gingerbread Witch
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp236, £6.99
9781406391381
Adventure. Magic. Folklore
This book is a dream come true for fairy tale lovers.
A sequel to Roxy & Jones: The Great Fairy tale
Cover-Up, the story follows the adventures of Roxy
and Jones, who find themselves, yet again, mixed
up in things that they should not meddle with.
The plot explodes with intertextuality as new
readers find out very early into the story that Roxy is
the half-sister of Hansel and Gretel. This is a modern
rendition of the classic fairy tale, as we see our old
school favourites coming in and out of the plot,
making it a great read, dripping with nostalgia.
It’s a rollercoaster ride, from following our quickwitted,
brave, and smart female protagonists as
they shoot into the sky (quite literally!) in order
to uncover deep and dark secrets, to risking their
lives to save Prince Charming, breaking all gender
stereotypes that our classic fairy tales are usually
steeped knee-deep in. A light and enjoyable read for
children, especially girls who will find that they, for
once, aren’t the damsels in distress in the story!
Kas Roy Bardhan
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
53

Books: 8 – 12 | Information
Bailey, Ellen, and
Pemberton, Lesley
Feeling Good
About Me
Illustrated by Harry Briggs
Buster Books
2021, pp128, £7.99
9781780557397
Mental Health. Mindfulness. Feelings
This book has been developed in consultation
with Blue Smile, a children’s mental health charity.
It is a fun and interesting book with cartoon-style
illustrations that use bright colours and different
fonts to good effect.
Jam-packed with ideas and activities, and space
for the reader to fill in their responses, the book
explores who you are, developing your own identity
and taking charge of your thoughts. It focuses on
improving self-esteem and resilience and reducing
anxiety through mindful activities and relaxation
techniques. There are drawing and doodle pages,
inspirational quotes, and real-life stories to inspire,
readers. Aimed at 8-to-12-year-olds, this book
provides a safe space for them to explore their
feelings and maintain good mental health; my only
criticism is that I would have liked the illustrations
to have been more inclusive. For example, it would
have been good to see girls illustrated on the pages
that deal with heroes, success, and anger.
Barbara Band
Banville, Sarah
Monsters: 100
Weird Creatures
from Around the World
Illustrated by Quinton Winter
Wren & Rook
2021, pp208, £20.00
9781526363497
Folklore. Myth. Horror
This robust volume is not ideal bedtime reading.
Double spread by double spread, narrative to the
left vivid illustration to the right, we are introduced
to 100 monsters from folklore and legend. No
continent or setting is overlooked: mountains,
forests, deserts, caves, the sea, or a silent town. We
rediscover the familiar – the Loch Ness Monster and
the Bogeyman – but mostly encounter the unfamiliar
– the American Wendigo, a horned skeletal creature
always hungry for human flesh.
Sarah Bonville generally opens the narrative by
setting the scene – you are alone in bed, is someone
tugging at the duvet? Look out of the window and
that scarecrow was not there before, look again and
it is gone, look round and a straw hand is pushing
open the door. The powerful and imaginative
illustrations thrill and intrigue – no grotesque or
fearful feature is overlooked. Sometimes you cannot
turn the page quickly enough.
David Mallett
Barfield, Mike
A Day in the Life of a
Caveman, A Queen and
Everything In Between
Illustrated by Jess Bradley
Buster Books
2021, pp128, £9.99
9781780557137
History. Humour. Information
This very engaging book uses the traditional strip
cartoon format (the illustrator also works for the
Beano) to tell the history of the world from the
ancient times to smartphones and the discovery of
carbon atoms. It’s informative and witty as we read,
for example, the thoughts of a Silk Road camel or of
a seventeenth century Dutch tulip.
There’s also nothing Eurocentric about this
enjoyable book – we are presented with historical
developments all over the world and from different
points of view, and often are shown how they fit
together. And joy of joys, it’s chronological. We all
know how easily children can confuse periods and
develop no sense of time passing if they learn about,
say Romans, Tudors, and Victorians separately.
This book puts it all into context, and because it’s
accessible and fun children should be able to read it
independently.
Susan Elkin
Bellos, Alex, and
Lyttleton, Ben
Football School:
Terrific Teams
Illustrated by Spike Gerrell
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp201, £6.99
9781406386660
Football. Facts. Teams
This series of books about football certainly
provides even the most reluctant reader with a
fascinating topic. This particular book explores the
history of the teams we love and support! It takes a
look at their successes, disappointments, and their
records set. Within the 50 short stories, you will
learn about the well-known clubs as well as some
lesser-known ones, and those teams who may be
the most eco-friendly.
Written in an entertaining fashion and with plenty of
side notes and facts, this is perfect for footie fans.
There are facts that will surprise and delight with
others that seem unbelievable.
Easy to read, dip in and out of, and filled with
fantastic illustrations, this is sure to be a big hit with
pupils.
Erin Hamilton
Ben-Barak, Idan
We Go Way Back
Illustrated by Philip Bunting
Allen & Unwin’s Children’s Books
2021, pp36, £10.99
9781911679233
Science. Biology. Origin of Life
This is a truly spectacular book. It answers a Big
Question – how did life begin on Earth? – so that
it can be understood by small people. It skilfully
avoids most of the scientific terms that go with the
territory: a student who has encountered atoms,
molecules, and elements will be able to understand
it. Instead, the luscious, shimmering illustrations
by Philip Bunting show graphically the concepts
of elements joining to form molecules, molecules
joining to form lipids, and lipid bilayers wrapping
around to form bubbles that somehow turn into the
first living things.
Visually, the book is a treat. The opening pages
illustrate diversity with charming and witty
illustrations of children. The black backgrounds of
the second half set off pictures of the early Earth
like colourful jewels. The final page folds out to
become a beautifully illustrated ‘Family Tree of Life’,
measuring 24 x 72 cm.
Anna Quick
Bennett, Robin
Stupendous Sports:
Rampaging Rugby
Illustrated by Matt Cherry
Firefly Press
2021, pp121, £6.99
9781913102609
Sport. Humour. Information
Many boys, and a fast-growing
number of girls, play rugby, but far greater numbers
see it as a spectator sport on television, played
by professionals. The contests of these human
bulldozers can be very entertaining, and rouse
partisan loyalties, even if you have only the vaguest
idea of what is going on.
This book is a short, very funny, practical, and
informative guide to the rules of what the author
terms ‘one of the most insane sports you will come
across’. The laws of the game, the roles of each
positional player, the tactics, the exact meaning of
terms like ‘scrum’ and ‘lineout’, are all succinctly
and wittily explained, with a good scattering of
anecdotes and cartoons in support. The game as
played by children under sixteen is very different
from professional rugby, and this guide should
encourage boys and girls to have a try! But for most
children, rugby is likely to remain a spectator sport.
Watching it is much more fun if you understand it,
and this light-hearted handbook is an excellent start.
Peter Hollindale
54
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Information
Boyd, Serlina
Cocoa Girl
Awesome Hair
Farshore,
2021, pp72, £8.99
9780755504329
Hairstyles. BAME. Hair
Serlina Boyd, the founder of Cocoa Boy and Cocoa
Girl – the UK’s first black children’s magazines
– has written a much needed book for children
celebrating beautiful black hair.
The book contains step-by-step guides to creating
many different hairstyles, all accompanied by full
colour photos and details of the tools needed to
help create them. In addition to the 12 hairstyle
how-to guides is a brief history of black hair, how to
establish your own hair texture, hair care tips, and
illustrations of some notable black hair icons.
This is a bright, colourful, and engaging book for
all children and young people with textured hair,
with positive affirmations throughout that celebrate
black hair.
Stacey Matthews
Burkett, Seth, and
Oldfield, Matt
Play like your
Football Heroes
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp255, £6.99
9781529500295
Football. Heroes. Wellbeing
Matt Oldfield, author of the Ultimate Football
Heroes series, and former professional footballer
Seth Burkett have created an attractive, reasonably
priced book that explains the skills needed to play
the game at the highest level. There are profiles of
key male and female players, tips, techniques, and
plenty of information. Bite-size chapters and a variety
of formats help readers to engage. The language
is at an appropriate level and often conversational.
Graphics break up the pages and are fun. There are
quizzes, challenges, and a debrief.
The book is divided into four sections – ‘Train
Smart’, ‘Think Smart’, ‘Live Smart’ and ‘Play Smart’.
I was particularly impressed by the pages on
wellbeing, including improving your confidence,
learning from your hobbies, self-talk, accepting
feedback, and how to cope when things go wrong.
These are skills for life, as well as football. Highly
recommended.
Brenda Marshall
Crumpton, Nick
Everything You
Know about
Dinosaurs Is Wrong
Illustrated by Gavin Scott
Nosy Crow
2021, pp64, £12.99
9781788008105
Science. Prehistoric Creatures. Dinosaurs
Yet another book on dinosaurs maybe, but this
one definitely comes with a twist as it sets out to
challenge many of our preconceived ideas about
these prehistoric creatures.
Designed on the premise that experts can
sometimes be wrong, it looks in depth at a number
of facts about dinosaurs and sets out to uncover
the truth. These range from the statement that
dinosaurs only lived on land and weren’t that
smart, to the fact that they were all were all green
and scaly. Using current technology and research,
Crumpton investigates many of the currently held
opinions about these creatures. Suitable for older
primary children, it will provide a starting point
for lengthy debate about these amazing creatures
which at one time roamed the world. A fascinating
insight into modern research, I am sure it will be a
great hit with young palaeontologists everywhere
and be an asset for any library.
Godfrey Hall
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VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
55

Books: 8 – 12 | Information
Dorey, Martin
Kids Fight
Climate Change
Illustrated by Tim Wesson
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp127, £7.99
9781406393262
Climate Change. Activism. Energy
This is a timely look at the causes of, and science
behind, climate change and its impact. The text is
approachable and clear, with detailed explanations
and jaunty, colourful illustrations. The book shows
how children can make a difference through short
practical activities related to different aspects of
climate change, such as reducing ones carbon
footprint, using energy, saving water, and so on.
Activities are simple and thought-provoking, so
children feel they are doing something to make
a difference. Some activities involve a change of
attitude and an awareness of how much we waste.
Rather than being given more goods, children could
request activities instead. Another mission, following
information on how wasteful the fashion industry is,
is to make a reusable mask from used clothing.
The text covers how to be a climate-change activist
in the home, at school, and when shopping. This
book offers a positive approach to a daunting
subject. I recommend it highly to any eco-warrior
child who cares about the planet.
Lucy Chambers
Durkin, Frances
The Histronauts:
A Greek Adventure
Illustrated by Grace Cookie
b small publishing
2021, pp80, £6.99
9781913918071
History. Greeks. Adventure
A story book, a fact book, and an adventure rolled
into one. If we take the story first, it is a story
written in graphic novel, comic-book style and
has a strong appeal to many readers. The setting is
ancient Greece where there is so much to explore.
Our guides, the Histronauts, who are there on their
holidays, soon find that there is going to be much
for them to explore and discover, taking us nicely
to the facts.
The facts are all about Greek history, as you may
expect and want from a book which suggests as
much in its title. The facts are useful for they are
going to help the Histronauts uncover information
about the gods, about the theatre, even about the
Olympic Games, and they are going to help the
reader learn at the same time – and even try their
hand at a quiz. Finally, we get those very activities.
Scattered through the book, shortly after some
facts have been revealed, are activities to try your
hand at, including a board game and some weaving!
A brilliant combination of fun.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Evans, Cathy
Cats Eyes and
Dog Whistles
Illustrated by Becky Thorns
Cicada Books,
2021, pp57, £14.99
9781800660137
Senses. Human. Animal
This a truly fascinating book. I’m sure we have all
built classroom activities based on the five senses,
but here we are given not only a clear explanation
of how each sense operates in the human body but
much more.
We learn how other animals use their senses
differently and myths are dispelled. Babies have
more taste sensors than an adult; does this explain
the fussy eater? The book describes the areas in
which scientists continue to research. Not all people
are the same and those differences are explained
too, colour blindness for example. Why do you
lose your balance after stepping off a roundabout?
How does a bat hear? Then, splendidly, the book
expands beyond the traditional five senses to discuss
proprioception, the vestibular system, the way in
which birds and other animals may use the earth’s
magnetic field to navigate and whether we have
vestiges of that ability.
This is a scientific book, but it will provide stimulus
for creative writing or just satisfy everyday curiosity.
Nick Hunt
Fullman, Joe
The World Book
Illustrated by Rose Blake
Welbeck Editions
2021, pp208, £19.99
9781783126118
Geography. Countries. Facts
This book offers a wealth of information on the
places around the world we call home. Covering
199 countries and non-country territories, helpfully
organised by continent, this is a book where even the
most knowledgeable geographers could learn a lot.
The accessible layout of the book means most
countries have a page dedicated to them (with
larger countries having a double-page spread and
smaller countries sharing a page) and the thoughtful
illustrations link well to the accompanying facts.
The book shares all the basic (but up-to-date) facts
you would expect for each country: the flag, a map,
capital city, official language, currency, population,
and area. However, where this book really stands out
from other atlas style publications is the additional
myriad of interesting snippets of information around
the country’s culture, landscape, music, food,
wildlife, and heritage. Who knew about the Bangui
magnetic anomaly, which is experienced in the
Central African Republic, or the fact that you can see
blue spiders in Yemen? Children and adults alike will
keep returning to this book for years on end.
Georgia Ramsay
Kay, Adam
Kay’s Marvellous
Medicine: A Gross and
Gruesome History of
the Human Body
Illustrated by Henry Paker
Puffin
2021, pp416, £14.99
9780241508527
Medicine. Human Body. Doctors
Adam Kay’s second book for children and young
people explores medicine and the human body.
Each chapter gives historical and modern facts in a
fascinating, informative, and totally hilarious way.
Chapters give facts broken down into Ancient Egypt,
Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages
(or sparkle time as Kay calls it) and the future. Each
chapter also includes ‘Adam’s Answers’ (to bizarre
questions!), ‘Five facts and a lie’ about a key person of
that era, ‘True or Poo’, and ‘Crazy Cures’.
Information is given in bite-sized chunks and
written in a way that makes it fun, accessible, very
readable, and so engaging for young readers. Paker’s
illustrations are brilliant and interweave wonderfully.
The book has a good index and an interesting
Doctorography as well as a great introduction and
conclusion. This is a great series to sit alongside the
Horrible Science and Horrible Histories series and
one which will be very popular.
Annie Everall
Kennington, Tim
This Book is
Full of Brains
Illustrated by Josy Bloggs
and Liz Kay
Buster Books
2021, pp96, £9.99
9781780557359
Brains. Neuroscience. Intelligence
An amazing book that introduces children to the
brain – the ultimate supercomputer we use every
day. Fascinating facts are presented in an accessible
way. Did you know that the mantis shrimp has the
world’s most complicated eyes that have five times
more sensors than human eyes? Or that you have
over 6,000 thoughts every day? Or that your DNA is
60% the same as a banana? Or that octopuses can
recognize faces? We learn about the workings of
the brain, how you think, animal brains, remarkable
robots, computers versus brains, smarty pants,
mind control, and the past, present, and future of
neuroscience. The tone is often conversational with
plenty of questions that engage the reader. Pages
are well designed with a good balance between text
and illustration. Bright colours add to the appeal.
The interactive approach includes exercises and
experiments that are easy to do at home. Highly
recommended as a book that will inform and inspire.
Brenda Marshall
56
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Information
Knight, Rich
If I Ran the Country
Illustrated by Allan Sanders
Wren & Rook
2021, pp174, £8.99
9781526363725
Politics. Debating. Leadership
I enjoyed this humorous and seemingly irreverent
guide to politics for children. In fact, the book
contains a lot of information, explaining concepts
clearly with simple examples. After a romp
through different kinds of government, succinctly
explaining the difference between absolute and
constitutional monarchy, anarchy, and democracy,
the author gives more detail about ideologies,
government departments, international politics,
and alliances. ‘Fairness’ permeates the book,
highlighting difficult decisions that leaders need
to make in the crusade for a balanced society.
The author considers international ideas such as
climate change, technology, and poverty and how
they impact domestic policies. I liked the to-do list,
job description, and person spec for new leaders,
suitable in fact for leaders in any field. The cartoonstyle
illustrations are just right. This book will
encourage debate with its provocative questions.
This is an informative read for anyone interested in
making a difference.
Lucy Chambers
Lloyd, Christopher
It’s Up to Us: A
Children’s Terra
Carta for Nature,
People and Planet
What on Earth Publishing
2021, pp56, £16.99
9781913750558
Environment. Global Warming. Action
This book presents the environmental crisis in
simple words suitable for primary age, and proposes
a solution formulated by Prince Charles: a Terra
Carta, or Magna Carta for the Earth. A foreword
by the prince introduces a four-part text: nature,
people, planet, and Terra Carta.
The beautiful images that frame the text are
contributed by 33 illustrators, each one a graphic art
star in their own right. The variety of art ranges from
the hilarious, colourful microbes of Murat Kalkavan
to the Indigenous-derived landscape of Leah Marie
Dorion.
My personal favourite was Wesley Bedrosian’s
intensively farmed fields pouring over the edge
of the Earth, doomed by their own pollution. Also
outstanding is Rutu Modan’s graphic novel-style
scene of children playing in a park choked by
rubbish piles.
Anna Quick
Marx, Jonny
As Large as Life
Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
360 Degrees
2021, pp64, £19.99
9781838911799
Animals. Planet. Habitats
A beautiful non-fiction book
exploring 26 different habitats, providing facts on
the animals you would find within each habitat. The
pages are presented in beautiful, muted coloured
tones, putting this book well and truly amongst
some of the most aesthetically pleasing picture
books published in recent times.
Interesting illustrations along with fascinating facts
about 250+ animals provide plenty of opportunity
for learning and discussion. The facts are presented
in small chunks with just one or two interesting
things about each animal, meaning that pages and
readers are not overloaded. High-level scientific
vocabulary is used but presented in an accessible
format. An excellent book for sharing and provoking
discussion.
Michelle Armstrong-Harris
Miller, Carey
The World of the
Unknown: All About
Monsters
Usborne Publishing
2021, pp32, £7.99
9781801312486
Monsters. Myths. Unknown
Usborne have always been famous for their
information books, and I have often used them
over the years for projects. First published in 1977,
this particular book of monsters, will I am sure, still
provide inspiration for budding young authors and
also answer many of their burning questions, such
as what is a dragon? and what is the story behind
the Abominable Snowman? Full of amazing facts, it
will not only fascinate and intrigue but also act as a
springboard for more research and new projects.
The book has a new foreword by Robert Ince and
been described as a cult classic. One of the first ever
published by Usborne, the facts it contains are still
relevant today and hopefully will encourage a new
generation of readers.
The book comes with a dictionary of monsters
at the back, a comprehensive index, and list of
further books of interest, and I am sure will once
again delight young audiences everywhere. Ideal
for older primary children, the book also includes
suggestions for further activities.
Godfrey Hall
Parker, Steve,
and Metcalf, Jen
Whatever the
Weather: Learn
about the Sun,
Wind and Rain
Illustrated by Caroline Attia
Little Gestalten
2021, pp56, £6.95
9783967047110
Weather. Climate Change. Environment
Grown-ups are always talking about the weather,
and this book helps children understand the
weather and why it changes from time to time. How
is fog formed? What causes a rainbow? Why do
thunder and lightning always come as a pair? This
book should be able to answer the questions posed
by curious children.
I love the use of the two young children and their
dog as they travel from page to page, learning
about this complex subject in small understandable
nuggets. The illustrations are colourful and
informative, and the font is dyslexic-friendly. There
is, however, no index, making it harder to find the
answer to a specific question. Steve Parker is a
highly respected scientific author, whose name
will be familiar to fans of the Dorling Kindersley
Eyewitness books.
Carolyn Copland
Pike, Olly
What Does
LGBT+ Mean?
Pop’n’Olly
2021, pp40, £7.00
9780993340789
Diversity. Acceptance. LGBT+
This is an engaging, diverse, and positive
introduction to LGBT+ education for primary school
children. The book covers everything from gender
identity and pronouns to discrimination and the first
Pride, using age-appropriate language and colourful
illustrations. It is not only a useful educational tool
for teachers, parents, and children, but an extremely
important resource for promoting understanding
and acceptance of ourselves and others.
As with the other Pop ‘n’ Olly books, this picture
book would make an excellent classroom resource,
and there are a number of activities and discussion
points suggested throughout which can be used a
starting point for lessons. Many of these activities
are supported by further videos and free online
resources for additional learning.
Sammie Boon
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
57

Books: 8 – 12 | Information
Quint, Chella
Own Your Period
Illustrated by Giovana Medeiros
QED Publishing
2021, pp96, £10.99
9780711256637
Periods. Puberty. Reproduction
At the end of Own Your Period Chella Quint asks the
important question: ‘How much did you know before
you started reading?’ I found myself surprised by
my own answer: ‘not as much as I know now.’ This is
perhaps the reason for the importance of this book.
Many of us go through life with only a sketchy idea of
what our own bodies are doing. Periods are something
too many of us learn about through well-meaning
euphemisms, talks in school where we are much too
aware of the sniggers of our friends to ask questions,
and highly embarrassing talks with our mothers.
Chella sets out, in this gently written, highly
informative book, to dispel the whispered myths
about menstruation. The organisation is excellent
with a clearly marked balance between the
information and consideration of impact on girls
and women. The information is easy to locate, and
the glossary is comprehensive, making the book
accessible for independent reading. Insightful,
unembarrassed, and thorough, this is the perfect
book to ensure girls approach their periods
positively and knowledgeably.
Jaki Brien
Skibinski, Michal
I Saw a Beautiful
Woodpecker: The Diary
of a Young Boy at the
Outbreak World War II
Illustrated by Ala Bankroft
Prestel
2021, pp128, £11.99
9783791374864
Poland. War. Diary
In the summer of 1938, as a handwriting exercise a
Polish teacher told an 8-year-old boy to write one
sentence each day, and the sentences make poignant
reading. The first records simply on 15 July: ‘I walked
to the brook with my brother and our nanny’. Others
follow similarly: ‘I went to the woods with a friend.’
But with our hindsight comes a much darker story.
On the 29 August, ‘Daddy came to visit me’. Daddy
was a bomber pilot and was killed in a crash two days
later. The journal does not record his death, but on
September 1, ‘The war began’. By September 3, ‘I was
hiding from the planes’.
Ala Bankroft’s pictures are overwhelming, ranging
from straightforward illustrations of a woodpecker
and a wasp to the totally atmospheric, ‘Planes keep
flying overhead’ is illustrated with huge dark clouds
and not a plane visible. This is a most unusual and
interesting book, warmly recommended for readers
of almost any age.
Wendy Axford
Sorosiak, Carlie
Roar Like a Lion
David Fickling Books
2021, pp157, £9.99
9781788452359
Animals. Self-Help. Educational
This is a beautiful book.
The illustrations and imagery inside are really
accessible.
The content of the book is great. It is inspiring and
works well as a self-help book which is educational
but also fun.
From reading the book, I did feel a bit confused
about the audience it was aimed at as the language
seems to be for a more mature audience while
the illustrations are accessible to a younger child.
As a secondary school teacher, I would certainly
read parts of this book with key stage 3 classes and
even recommend it to older students who may be
struggling to find out who they are.
Lucy Marks
Snyder, Laurel
Swan: The Life
and Dance of
Anna Pavlova
Illustrated by Julie Morstad
2021, pp52, £6.99
9781797211459
Dance. Biography. Children
Anna is small in a big world with big aspirations.
Laurel Snyder, a scholar of ballet herself, creates a
beautiful image in your mind ‘of the life and dance
of Anna Pavlova’, the prima ballerina. Laurel details
Anna’s journey to becoming a dancer and how
she shared her gift with the world regardless of
class or status. This is an exquisite tale of dreams,
overcoming hardship to become an accomplished
and world-renowned ballerina.
The illustrations are delicate and striking to highlight
Anna Pavlovas grace and the story that is woven
page by page.
This is a wonderful read aloud book to inspire young
people to reach for the stars and inspire others.
Natalie Gray
Thorogood, Chris
When Plants Took
Over the Planet
Illustrated by Amy Grimes
QED Publishing
2021, pp64, £12.99
9780711261266
Plants. Nature. Environment
A fascinating insight into the evolution of plants,
from the first water-dwelling algae to the lush
towering ferns we associate with the habitat of
dinosaurs, to the many flowering species that
dominate plant life today.
Crammed full of bite-size information, snappy
facts, and stunning, full-page illustrations, this
book covers not only the history of plant life but
each species’ location and habitat, and how plants
continue to support all other life on earth.
At the end of the book there’s a section on the
damage human activity is having on our plant life
and why protecting them from extinction is so
important. There are also some practical activities
to get budding botanists outside to discover the
fascinating world of plants for themselves.
Emma Carpendale
Todd, Traci N.
Nina: A Story of
Nina Simone
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Scribe Publications Pty Ltd
2021, pp48, £12.99
9781914484162
Biography. Music. Civil Rights
Nina Simone was born in North Carolina and
showed musical promise from babyhood. This
account – evocatively illustrated by Christian
Robinson – traces her life through classical piano
lessons and constant segregational oppression,
which eventually developed her into a raw, angry,
singer of inspirational protest songs. The prose is
warmly poetic: ‘a voice that was rich, sweet and like
soft thunder’ and ‘the steady roar of unrest’. The
book is also very informative, although the story
does omit a few things; for example there’s one
mention of a child and I’d have liked to know more
about that. Also, her death hasn’t been included
and therefore this otherwise fine book tails off a
bit. I really liked, though, the way the author places
Simone firmly in the context of the Civil Rights
Movement – as relevant in 2021 as ever. This is
definitely one for the school library, alongside
access to some of Simone’s music.
Susan Elkin
58
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 8 – 12 | Information
Turner, Tracey, and
Donkin, Andrew
A History of the
World in 25 Cities
Illustrated by Libby Vander Ploeg
Nosy Crow
2021, pp112, £16.99
9781788006712
Geography. Cities. World
In a world that is increasingly urbanised, it is
important to pause and reflect on the role cities
have played in shaping society and the planet that
we live on. This book has managed to successfully
capture the historical journey, character, and true
heart of 25 of these most influential cities in a way
that is not only highly accessible to children, but
captivating for adults as well.
As an inhabitant of one of these cities, I found
myself delighted that a real sense of place had
been captured in this book, as well as learning new
things that I hadn’t previously realised about the
place I call home. Libby Vender Ploeg’s beautiful
illustrations have not only brought the book to life,
with her simple yet accurate representations of
place, but have also added an element of spatial
accuracy to the information presented. This is a
book that families should treasure, as they explore
the dynamic urban world together.
Georgia Ramsay
Worms, Penny
The Most Important
Animal of All
Illustrated by Hannah Bailey
Mama Makes Books
2021, pp40, £12.99
9781838138134
Ecology. Research. Debate
A fictional teacher challenges her class to champion
an animal as the most important of all. This clever
device leads to the reader discovering all about seven
species from diverse groups. The book is endorsed
by the British Ecological Society and the information
is, as you might expect, authoritative, thorough,
sometimes surprising (paper from elephant poo?),
but always positive and celebratory.
The illustrations are clear and attractive, mixing
photographs, annotated diagrams, and artwork.
Through studying individual species, children come
to see the quite complex interconnections that
form ecosystems. Concepts such as predation, food
webs, extinction, keystone species interdependence,
and conservation are gently explored. From here,
children can move on to independent research
using the suggested websites in order to promote
animals of their own choice. For teachers wishing
to take things further, there are comprehensive,
downloadable, cross-curricular teaching resources
based on this book. Highly recommended.
Annie Pattison
Zommer, Yuval
The Big Book
of Belonging
Thames and Hudson
2021, pp64, £14.99
9780500652640
Nature. Children. Inspiring
Children understand their
closeness to nature and are passionate about the
protection of their environment. This is the book for
them as well for those who need to know a bit more
about the ecosystems of our planet. Zommer revels
in the diversity, complexity, and surprises of the
natural world and depicts children doing the same.
Each double-page spread focuses on very accessible
activities, then draws the links between human
pleasures and needs, and the needs of the other
creatures sharing our environment.The ‘Rainy Days’
spread shows how children keep dry, how squirrels
and butterflies protect themselves from the rain, and
why snails and mushrooms need damp conditions.
Every page is beautiful. The colours are soft, and
the pictures of children and animals show the love
and respect which Zommer offers them. There is
great integrity and coherence in the exploration
of complex ideas with simplicity and enthusiasm.
Zommer also makes human responsibilities very
clear. On each page there is a footprint, reminding us
to walk lightly though our world.
Jaki Brien
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VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
59

Books: 13 – 16 | Fiction and Poetry
Akiwenzie-Damm, Kateri
This Place
150 Years Retold
Illustrated by Tara Audibert
Highwater Press
2021, pp287, £23.99
9781553797586
History. Cultural. Traditions
This book is a stunning graphic novel which
explores the history of the Indigenous people in
Canada. It follows the many forgotten voices that
played a crucial part in Canada’s past and heritage.
The book includes many stories from a variety of
authors, including Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm and
Sonny Assu. I myself knew very little about Canadian
history and its movements to repress Indigenous
traditions, practices, and human rights within the
country. The book includes a small timeline before
each story to inform the reader of any new laws or
legislation relevant or useful to know.
The illustrations created by Tara Audibert and many
more are beautiful and bring each story to life.
These stories are simultaneously heartbreaking,
fascinating, and personal all at once. They
completely immerse the reader into traditions
and stories which have been carried forward over
generations. A perfect read for all ages and a great
way to engage younger generations in new areas of
history and tradition.
Sophie Matter
Burton, Jessie
Medusa
Illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill
Bloomsbury Young Adult
2021, pp224, £14.99
9781526649294
Love. Beauty. Acceptance
When I heard that Jessie Burton was writing a
feminist version of Medusa’s story, I could barely
contain my excitement. This doesn’t disappoint!
A stunning retelling of the famous Greek myth,
Medusa is brought to life as we’ve never experienced
her before. This time, she is given a voice to tell
her own story. Complete with utterly mesmerising
illustrations, Medusa’s emotions radiate off the pages
and the story we think we know is turned on its head
to reveal the tragic narrative of a wronged woman
simply searching for answers and acceptance.
But this is so much more than an alternative spin
on ancient mythology. Medusa’s story vitally
deals with issues of gender imbalance and the
implications of female beauty that remain just as
important today. By humanising the girl who’s
only ever been branded a villain, Burton breathes
new life into Medusa to create both a relatable and
captivating tale of loneliness, love, freedom, and
self-acceptance that ultimately encourages us to
take control of our happiness and be the hero of our
own story.
Hannah Groves
EDITOR’S PICK
Crossan, Sarah
Tomorrow Is Beautiful
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp304, £12.99
9781526641892
Grief. Hope. Rain
This anthology spans genres and centuries, from
the Elizabethan Bard’s Hamlet to modern poets
such as Jackie Kay; interwoven are Sarah Crossan’s
own contributions which sit alongside the Brontës,
Brooke, and Brecht. There are also poems from
Longfellow to Goodfellow. Crossan has curated a
diverse and eclectic mix, including Christina Rossetti,
Andre Lorde, and Maya Angleou, crossing borders
and styles. There should be something for all tastes.
The middle section offers a sense of hope on a rainy
day and mindfulness comes through ‘More in the
Moment’, intertwined with some parental guilt.
The very personal ‘Notes from the Pit’ conveys the
desperation of being helpless and ultimately the
need for self-reliant. Then follows the profound and
simple, ‘Why Bother, Mother?’.
Crossan’s notes guide the reader through the
collection, highlight themes, and provide personal
anecdotes and useful background information
especially for the less well-known poets. ‘You Are
Enough’ and the finale of the eponymous ‘Tomorrow
is Beautiful’ both deliver reassurance and have the
“feel good” factor.
Sarah Ryan
Davies, Nicola
This is How
Change Begins
Graffeg
2021, pp64, £12.99
9781913634247
Environment. Climate. Weather
A collection of six beautifully written poems
highlighting the need for change in human
behaviour soon, if we are to have any impact on
halting the devastating effects of climate change on
our planet. Presented in muted tones reminiscent
of colours we find in nature. The title poem, ‘This is
How the Change Begins’, gives a moving perspective
on how we have already changed the planet, before
presenting solutions to the challenge.
These poems are perfect for sharing, reading aloud,
and using as part of learning. They are evocative –
they encourage the reader to engage with the issues
without lecturing by using beautiful language and
rhythm to make their point.
Michelle Armstrong-Harris
Dickinson, Matt
Flare Up
Diffusion
2021, pp72, £4.99
9781908713278
Thriller. Oil Rigs. Challenges
This is an exciting story about
teenager Jason, whose life has been taking the
wrong course. When his uncle, Mac, helps him
turn his life around by helping him train to work on
an oil rig, he hopes things will change. He enjoys
work on the rigs, but when he finds an old enemy
also working there, he feels threatened. Then he
is accused of stealing a watch and it looks as if his
life is falling apart. Can Jason prove his innocence
and will the adversaries be able to come to an
agreement?
This is a short story aimed at teens who are late to
reading and need support. The chapters are only
a few pages each and there are questions to help
the reader think through the story they have been
reading.
The author is well known for his adventures set
in the Himalayas and with this story he takes on
another challenging location, the North Sea oil rigs.
This will make a good addition to the secondary
school library
Margaret Pemberton
Dixon, Alesha and
Birchall, Katy
Girls Rule
Scholastic
2021, pp294, £6.99
9781407198507
Families. Friendship. Girl Power.
Pearl is the daughter of the first black Prime Minister
of the UK. She’s very organised, very grown up and
has a very naughty pet dog called Rosy.
Izzy is the opposite of Pearl. She is chaos in ripped
jeans and a faded band t-shirt. She’d much rather eat
pizza than asparagus risotto and she’d much prefer
to be at a gig than playing chess.
The two girls’ lives collide when Pearl hires Izzy’s
dad to train Rosy the dog, resulting in the two
parents dating and then moving into no.10 Downing
Street together.
From day one, a war commences between the girls
as they set about trying to split their parents up.
Secretly dying the other’s eyebrows green in the
night, hanging a ‘loser’ sign to the others back at an
important public event and starting a food fight at a
dinner with the Queen. Will they push their parents
too far to make their point?
A surprisingly enthralling read, full of laughter and
cringe-worthy moments. A great read for those who
enjoy Tamsin Winter and Cathy Cassidy’s books.
Cassie Kemp
60
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 13 – 16 | Fiction and Poetry
Edwards, Sharon
The Most
Dangerous Spy
Grosvenor House Publishing
2021, pp273, £9.99
9781839750748
Historical. Spies. Adventure
Throughout this novel, we jump between the
parallel lives of Nancy, a girl guide living in 1940’s
Orethorpe in the grips of the Second World War,
to Arthur, a boy scout in 2010 who is volunteering
to garden for Mr Smith, a man who seems to have
a hidden past. As a reader you are kept wondering
and guessing; How are these young people’s lives
connected? Who can they trust? And ultimately who
are the spies?
This is a powerful and hard-hitting read that
captures the reality of war and how there is so much
that we will never truly understand or know about
what happened during those devastating years. We
learn about Nancy’s secret role in trying to save her
town and the people she loves from German spies
and the regret, anguish, and shame those that did
survive the war potentially had to face. As we follow
both Nancy and Arthur, there are many twists and
turns along the way, as you are left contemplating
who is the most dangerous spy?
Lucy Carlton-Walker
Fowler, Aisling
Fireborn Twelve
and the Frozen Forest
HarperCollins Children’s Books
2021, pp432, £12.99
9780008394158
Adventure. Fantasy. Hunting
Twelve is a Huntling, in training to defend the
Hunting Lodge against terrifying creatures that
threaten its existence and all the neighbouring
clans. A brilliant and courageous fighter, she is
permanently angry and vengeful, haunted by
memories of the horrific plight of her family. She
holds herself aloof, never allowing herself to warm
to anyone, other than the squirrel that Seven, a
younger Huntling, has given her. Frequently in
trouble with her teachers and her peers, she is
locked in the dungeons with Five and Six, whom she
loathes. There she discovers that the Lodge is under
attack and Seven has been abducted. The three of
them go off in pursuit, accompanied by Dog, the
enormous stone Guardian of the Lodge. Desperate
dangers and powerful malignant forces await them.
A gripping, action-packed fantasy adventure.
Twelve is an intriguingly complex protagonist. One
of the strengths of the novel is the depiction of her
emotional growth as she faces up to her past and
her behaviour and makes tentative steps towards
friendships.
Anne Harding
Fuller, Lisa
Ghost Bird
Old Barn Books
2021, pp288, £7.99
9781910646809
Australia. Indigenous. Thriller
Set just before Y2K in rural Australia, Ghost Bird is
about Stacey and Laney Thomson, who are mirror
twins, but have completely opposite personalities.
Laney is outspoken and popular, often sneaking
out to see her boyfriend, while Stacey is known as
a boring homebody who always follows the rules.
When Laney doesn’t return after sneaking out the
night before, Stacey starts having horrifying dreams
about her sister, leading her and her family to grow
increasingly concerned about her wellbeing. The
dynamics of their rural town are an integral part of
the plot, with the Indigenous families, including the
Thomsons, living very separate lives from the white
families due to current and historical racism. The
insights into Indigenous Australian culture and the
uniquely Australian dialogue makes this book stand
out from other young adult thrillers. It is an ideal
pick if you are trying to diversify your young adult
fiction collection, and would fit in perfectly as part
of a “reading around the world” activity or display.
Emily Kindregan
Garrard, Nicola
29 Locks
HopeRoad
2021, pp352, £8.99
9781913109844
Urban. Gangs. Adventure
This is a gripping and relevant
novel that follows Donny from
his early life in London, where he is in and out of the
care system due to his Mum being in prison, to how
he ends up in Hertfordshire doing his Year 10 work
experience on the Union Canal – we learn what this
means to him, and ultimately what enables him to
achieve.
As we learn about Donny’s life, we understand the
inequalities he is facing and how he has no choice
but to overcome them every day. The author doesn’t
hold back as you experience the decisions Donny
makes and the ones that are made for him – how
this leads to Donny beginning to understand his
own reality, his anger, frustration, sadness and
ultimately his hope and faith in his Mum and the
future they could have together. There are strong
themes throughout, including gang violence, drug
misuse, death, grooming, poverty, privilege, and
racism. It is both poignant yet uplifting, as you want
Donny’s life to be different – it resonates with you to
the last word.
Lucy Carlton-Walker
James, Lauren
Green Rising
Walker Books Ltd
2021, p269, £7.99
9781406384673
Climate Change. Thriller. Hope.
This is a fast-paced climate
change thriller with elements
of fantasy. This contemporary novel is set in the
not-too-distant future where the planet is on the
brink of ecological catastrophe. The narrative
revolves around three teens: Gabrielle, Hester, and
Theo, who at first appear to have little in common.
Climate change activist Gabrielle, and Theo, whose
family fishing business struggles to make money,
are flown to join other ‘Greenfingers’ in America
because they possess the remarkable ability to
grow plants from their skin. There they meet Hester,
another ‘Greenfinger’ and daughter of the CEO
and owner of Dalex Energy, a multi-million-dollar
business only interested in exploiting the planet and
developing human habitation on Mars. Together,
these teens, with countless others from across the
globe, look to combine their powers to re-wild the
planet. This engaging novel, interspersed with social
media content, creatively confronts the doomsday
narrative so often associated with climate change
and offers hope through the message that young
people can work together to find solutions.
Jane Broadis
Keen, Teddy
Journey to
the Last River
Frances Lincoln
Children’s Books
2021, pp128, £14.99
9780711254473
Adventure. Jungle. Ecology
Journey to the Last River is a diary kept by two
young women, one an Amerindian biologist and the
other a (presumably British) explorer. It is presented
in facsimile, using a typeface that resembles
manuscript on pages which are discoloured to
imply the passage of time, and with meticulous
illustrations in pastel colours that imply fading. They
travel through the Amazon rainforest, surrounded
by the local flora and fauna, seeking and finding
a well-hidden river and its tributary. The insects,
animals, and plants are beautifully drawn and the
text pulls no punches – (‘I’ve just been for a wee in
the dark. I soon felt pins and needles spreading all
over my body – army ants …’).
The women are constantly in danger. One is
narrowly saved from a constricting snake. A jaguar
stalks them through the forest. At one stage they
lose nearly all their supplies and have to improvise
from natural resources. In its adventurous way,
this is a hymn to ecology and to a vision of an
interdependent world.
Martin Axford
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
61

Books: 13 – 16 | Fiction and Poetry
Marufu, Aneesa
The Balloon Thief
Chicken House
2022, pp400, £7.99
9781913696078
Racism. Fantasy. Young Adult
This is a thrilling, fantasy, young
adult novel following 16-year-old Khadija on an
adventure as she flees her home in a stolen hot
air balloon to escape an arranged marriage and
seek her own destiny. She meets Jacob, who is
an oppressed hari, on her travels. But, a deadly
revolution threatens their friendship and their world,
resulting in them having to make some very difficult
decisions in order to choose what kind of world they
want to save and live in. Is their friendship worth
fighting for or will their backgrounds and identity
prove too much?
This fabulous novel covers racism, discrimination,
equality, and misogyny in an original fantasy world
and is for the older reader. Drawing on the author’s
South Asian heritage, it is clear that she writes from
the heart and really wants to make a difference with
this story.
This book is perfect for fans of Noughts and Crosses,
Secrets of the Henna Girl and Rebel of the Sands. It
would be a perfect addition for any school library.
Emma Suffield
Matharu, Taran
Contender:
The Champion
Hodder Children’s Books
2021, pp390, £12.99
9781444939033
Aliens. Combat. Romans
At the start of this final instalment of the Contender
trilogy, Cade, Amber, Quintus, and the rest of the
teen warriors have barely had enough time to rest
and heal after their battle with the hydra when they
are transported to another world. On this new planet
they are forced to face off against a technologically
advanced race of grey aliens, imaginatively dubbed
Greys by Cade, with the help of a Roman legion.
This book has a bit of everything: dinosaurs, aliens,
Romans, historical artefacts, sword fighting,
explosions, romance, secrets, and survival. This
series has some similarities to the Maze Runner
series, with young people suddenly transported to
a dangerous place with no idea how they got there,
making this a great pick for a “read this next” display
or list. I would recommend this book, and the rest
of the series, to readers that want something full of
adventure, fighting, and variety that will keep them
turning the pages.
Emily Kindregan
Pope, Samantha
The Haunting of
Lindy Pennyworth
UCLan Publishing
2021, pp328, £7.99
9781912979578
Supernatural. Grief. Self-Harm
Lindy is self-harming. Her
counsellor tells her she will not get better until she
accepts her father’s death. But Lindy is haunted
by the argument she had with her father on the
day of his accident and her guilt drives her to visit
a medium in the hope that she can make peace
with his spirit. However, it is not her father but the
ghost of a Victorian ancestor, Esme, who contacts
her. Esme explains that they are both victims of a
family curse which affects fathers and daughters.
Lindy is tasked with ending the curse and becomes
increasingly absorbed by the mystery surrounding
Esme’s death. While her doctor explains the bizarre
events which subsequently take place as griefinduced
psychosis, Lindy is sure that she is engaging
with the supernatural. The effects of grief are
explored thoughtfully as the mystery is unravelled,
while the ambiguity of the ending paves the way for
a sequel.
Sandra Bennett
Priestley, Chris
Freeze
Barrington Stoke
2021, pp119, £6.99
9781781129838
Horror. Friendship. Winter
Who doesn’t love a properly
chilling horror story? Readers of Freeze are treated
to four interwoven short stories as Maya and her
friends are told to write creepy stories with a wintry
theme. Each story stands alone in ice-sharp chill
but, as might be expected, Chris Priestley offers
something more.
The book starts as Maya wakes from a nightmare,
which she cannot quite remember, to find that her
friends also had terrible dreams the night before. At
school things are different: their teacher is away and
it is the supply teacher, Mr Kumar, who sets them the
task of writing something creepy. Then there is the
new girl, Winter, who seems somehow to be part of
the reason why Maya enters into each story as it is
read to the class.
Chris Priestley keeps the vocabulary and syntax
simple and the stories short, but never compromises
on the quality of his writing. Most importantly,
accessibility doesn’t lead to triviality. Also dyslexia
friendly, this is an accomplished book which any
teenager could enjoy.
Jaki Brien
Reynolds, Jason,
and Kiely, Brendan
All American Boys
Illustrated by Akhran Girmay
Faber & Faber
2021, pp337, £9.99
9780571369454
Discrimination. Racism. Abuse
This novel takes the reader on a journey … a journey
of reality! In today’s contemporary society, we often
attempt to keep children from the world of reality in
order to “protect” them.
The protagonists of the novel are two young
teenage boys, who are from two various and diverse
backgrounds. The alternative narrative between
these boys keeps the reader involved within the
text not only physically but also emotionally; as the
story unravels through this narrative, we are able to
hear the voices of both communities and ultimately
experience the journey of the boys alongside them.
Through this, the novel explores the issues of our
society as it deals with real life phenomena: police
brutality, stereotypes, racial injustices, violence,
discrimination, and addiction. Therefore, this diverse
young adult fiction novel encourages discussions
around current political and social issues.
I would urge all to pick this text up and get stuck in,
in order to educate ourselves and those around us
on the realities of the twenty-first century!
Ahmed Asghar
Rhodes, Jewell Parker
Paradise on Fire
Orion Children’s Group
2021, pp256, £7.99
9781510109858
Global Warming. Forest Fires.
Urban Deprivation
Six black urban kids are chosen to experience
summer camp in the wilderness of California. Forest
fires are raging, and the teenagers get separated
from their camp counsellors. Now they have to
use the skills they have been taught, and also their
innate talents, to escape. Addy is gifted with spatial
awareness, and learns map reading and orienteering
which helps the children.
A really exciting read which deals with issues
of global warming, race, and urban deprivation
without being preachy or heavy handed. Lovely
illustrations and maps and a pleasing large typeface.
Thoroughly recommended!
Alison A. Maxwell-Cox
62
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 13 – 16 | Fiction and Poetry
Best New Books – Verse Novels
Editor’s pick
Coral Rumble,
illstr Shih-Yu Lin
Sita Brahmachari,
illstr Natalie Sirett
Kwame Alexander and Dawud
Anyabwile (Illustrator)
Sarah Crossan and
Brian Conaghan
Little Light
When Shadows Fall
The Crossover
We Come Apart
Troika Books, 2021, 240pp, £7.99
9781912745166
Bullying, Families, School
Stripes, 2020, 352pp, £12.99
9781788953160
Bereavement, Families, Mental Health
Andersen Press, 2020, 218pp, £8.99
9781783449590
Basketball, Siblings, Sport
Bloomsbury, 2018, 326pp, £8.99
9781408878880
Domestic abuse, Families, Refugees
Ava’s life has changed when her Mum
leaves her abusive Dad when she
gives birth to twin boys. But Ava is
resourceful, changing her world too.
Kai’s baby sister dies and each family
member deals with this differently.
Can the help of his friends save him?
Graphic version of a novel in verse
about twin brothers who are rivals
both on and off the basketball court.
But when the twins’ tight-knit bond
is tested they learn that life is not all
about winning.
Jess’ life is overshadowed by
violence. Nicu is controlled by a
domineering dad so they have a lot
in common when they meet.
Manjeet Mann
The Crossing
Penguin, 2021, 320pp, £7.99
9780241411445
Bereavement, Prejudice, Refugees
Natalie’s Mum has died leaving
the family floundering. Sammy
is pushed by his Mum to escape
from Eritea to Europe. Their worlds
eventually cross.
C.G.Moore and
Becky Chilcott illstr
Gut Feelings
UCLan Publishing, 2021, 432pp, £7.99
9781912979431
Chronic Illness, Family, School
The autobiographical story of Chris
and the challenges he faces growing
up with a chronic illness which affect
the whole family.
Sarah Crossan
Moonrise
Bloomsbury, 2018, 384pp, £7.99
9781408867815
Injustice, Prisons, Siblings
Joe spends the summer visiting his
older brother Ed who he has not
seen for years. Ed is being executed,
having spent the last ten years on
death row.
Aimee Lucido
In the Key of Code
Walker, 2019, 416pp, £6.99
9781406389333
Computer programming, Friendship, Music
Emmy’s parents move the family
across country and until she joins the
computer science club and combines
coding with her love of music Emmy
had struggled to make friends.
Edited by Sampson, Ana
Wonder: The Natural
History Museum
Poetry Book
Macmillan’s Children’s Books
2021, pp256, £14.99
9781529058994
Adventure. Animals. Poetry
A beautiful collection of inspiring poetry from
contemporary poets to poets long dead.
I don’t read poetry very often – I’d rather lose
myself in a story – but this book reminded me how
wonderful poetry can be. An exploration from
the stars to the oceans, each section of the book
takes you on a journey of discovery to find all sorts
of creatures, ranging from insects to dinosaurs.
A book that can either be read from cover to cover
or simply dipped in and out of when you have a
little time to spare.
The visual imagery created by the poets is a
reminder of a visit to the Natural History Museum;
the drawings found dispersed throughout the book
paint an additional picture of the treasures that can
be found within the museum.
A perfect book for children to discover poetry and
for adults to immerse themselves in some childhood
memories.
Tanya Henning
Sedgwick, Marcus
Wrath
Barrington Stoke
2022, pp176, £7.99
9781800900899
Climate Change.
Adolescence. Friendship
Cassie is called crazy for hearing things. (Her
environmentalist dad says it is Earth’s distress call.)
Even Fitz joins in the taunts – to his bitter regret –
unable to find the words to tell her he’s crazy for her.
When she disappears, Fitz fears the worst: he has
lost the chance to say he believes in her, loves her
even. If, as he suspects, she’s gone to the ends of the
earth to get away – from the noise, from everyone –
then he must follow.
His dad is ready to help: he knows from experience
that opportunities must be grasped before it’s too
late. And so, to Cape Wrath, Britain’s most northwesterly
point, they go. As we learn what ‘wrath’ can
mean (not just anger, but turning point), perhaps
we too shall believe in the possibility of change,
and learn, with Cassie and her friends, to dance to a
different tune. Three instances of bad language and
the teenage romance element make it unsuited to
primary school children. Highly recommended!
Jane Rew
Steffan Ros, Manon
The Blue Book of Nebo
Firefly Press
2021, pp160, £7.99
9781913102784
Survival. Relationships. Wales
In a post-apocalyptic near-future
Britain, a mother and her son struggle for survival.
They write their thoughts in a notebook they find –
the ‘blue book of Nebo’ – and the chapters alternate
between them.
Rowenna starts by describing The End – the day
eight years ago when the electricity went out
for good – whereas Dylan starts by describing
their life in the present day. They now live in an
isolated hilltop house above the village of Nebo
in north-west Wales. They’ve been surviving off
whatever they can grow, gather, or hunt. The
cause of the apocalypse is sketched out as the
novel progresses but the focus is on Rowenna and
Dylan, their new life, and how their relationship
changes over the years.
This is a short but compelling read that has been
translated by the author from the original Welsh.
References to Welsh culture abound. Rowenna and
Dylan’s lives are brutally hard at times – if you’re
squeamish you might not like some of the details.
But this is an unusual and accessible take on a postapocalyptic
story.
Isobel Ramsden
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
63

Books: 13 – 16 | Fiction and Poetry
Sullivan, Deirdre
Precious Catastrophe
Hot Key Books
2021, pp368, £7.76
9781471410680
Sisters. Horror. Witchcraft.
This is the sequel to Perfectly
Preventable Deaths, and whilst it’s
not essential to read it first, it can helps give a better
understanding of previous events.
Maddy gave up her soul and agreed to serve Mamó,
in return for her sister’s life. Although she is isolated
from her friends and family working as Mamó’s
apprentice, she continues to keep a close eye on her
sister to keep her from any further harm.
Catlin has lost her confidence and is quite subdued
after a trauma she experienced and turns to the
catholic church and prayer to help her through her
difficult time. The girls discover that their father’s
body has been exhumed and that Ballyfrann has a
dark past and things start to take a turn for the worst.
There is some swearing, sexual references and
gory descriptions. This book may not be suitable
for Catholic schools as references scandal in the
Catholic church.
A haunting, magical and spooky read, suitable for
students in key stage 4 and over.
Charlotte Cole
Suzan, Leyla
Giften
Pushkin Children’s Books
2021, pp300, £7.99
9781782693178
Dystopia. Conflict. Ecology
Decades have passed since
the Darkening. Now, isolated
communities like Ruthie’s work hard to sustain a
living from the damaged land. Danger lurks at the
edges of their tranquil life; Ruthie’s own father
was lost on a supply run two years ago, but as
long as the people pay their tribute of food to the
armed city dwellers they are left alone. Ruthie’s
mother helps her to conceal the fact that she is
giften, born with the power to raise crops from the
land, because all giften must be surrendered to
the regime.
Then Ruthie’s father returns. He has been held
prisoner in the Base, a stronghold in the City, with
other resistance fighters. He insists Ruthie’s life is
in danger, for the giften are being rounded up and
experimented on in the City. Ruthie’s only chance
is to leave the safety of her small community and
seek safety with the Sanctuary. A journey into the
unknown, marked by danger and betrayal begins for
Ruthie and the loyal friends who accompany her.
Sandra Bennett
Watson, Jo
Big Boned
Penguin Books
2021, pp374, £7.99
9780241460689
Families. Confidence. Insecurity
This novel will strike a chord with
many teenagers. Lori tells her story of unhappiness
and insecurity. She, her mother, and her brother have
recently moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town;
from a sophisticated, artistic, urban environment
to a place where physical pursuits and physical
attractiveness are the predominating concerns.
Lori’s new school could not be more different from
the art school she had attended in Johannesburg.
Passionately interested in art, she finds herself in
an environment where sport is everything. Her
family is dysfunctional: her parents are divorced; her
relationship with her mother is difficult; and adding
to all this, her much loved brother is on the autistic
spectrum. Not surprisingly, she lacks confidence and
is supported by her therapist.
Her main concern in the new school is her
appearance. Everyone is physically attractive,
while she is fat and ungainly. Her instinct initially
is to lie low, but later she starts painting murals
in the town – to great effect. In addition, and to
her astonishment, she manages to “pull” the most
attractive boy in the school.
Elizabeth Finlayson
Webber, Katherine
The Revelry
Walker Books Ltd
2021, pp272, £7.99
9781406388442
Friendship. Adolescence.
Supernatural
This is a book about change, friendship, jealousy,
and growing up without growing apart. Set in Ember
Grove, a small American town in which supernatural
events occur, the book follows 16-year-old Bitsy and
her best friend Amy as they navigate the difficulties
posed by adolescence.
It covers topics such as trying out for school clubs,
getting your first job, and the struggle of “fitting
in” during periods of change. Alongside these are
heavier topics, including dealing with absent parents
and sick grandparents. These, combined with
intermittent swearing and some upsetting scenes,
means that the age rating of 14+ is warranted.
However, the book is easy to read: chapters are
usually below ten pages (often closer to five) and
most vocabulary is not challenging.
The Revelry is an exciting story that holds your
attention and makes you want to unravel the
mysteries of Ember Grove alongside Bitsy, whilst
also offering opportunities for conversation about
life-events, which are relevant to 14-to-15-year-olds.
Matt Cowie
Wood, Laura
A Single Thread
of Moonlight
Scholastic
2021, pp356, £7.99
9780702303234
Historical. Family. Romance
A Single Thread of Moonlight features all the
signature elements we have come to love in a
Laura Wood Young Adult novel: a strong female
protagonist; delightful detail of historical costume,
food and music; and a sizzling yet realistic romance
– all weaved through a great plot. This adorable new
tale centers around Iris as she sets out to discover
the history behind her father’s death. Readers will
be transported to Victorian England, from working
class life into the extravagance of aristocratic society.
Laura captures the essence of the era perfectly, and I
fell in love with her characters as always.
The intriguing family history, suspected murder,
gender and class dynamics, and plenty of sexual
tension are all pitched impeccably for young adults.
All handled with beautiful sensitivity, the story is
safe enough for even the most innocent 13+ reader
who loves Victorian classic novels such as Austen,
Bronte, and Dickens but with a more contemporary
feel and perspective.
Highly recommended; I can’t wait for more
historical dramas from Laura Wood.
Helen Emery
Ying, F L
A Dangerous
Riddle of Chance
The Book Guild
2021, pp516, £8.99
9781913551988
Fantasy. Mystery. Murder
Three kingdoms – man, animals
and plants – have been created as ‘fellow creatures,
to live as equal tenants on this mighty earth of
ours – together in peace’. Chance, the wooden
Harlequin is on a dangerous quest to unite the
kingdoms through happiness and defeat the evil
Qnevilus-the-terrible. To achieve this, he needs
riddle solving skills, the help of two fearless young
people, an old soothsayer, knowledgeable birds, a
cat, and circus personnel.
Suffused with humour, this is a fantasy quest
featuring a murder, larger than life characters,
fascinating ideas, and colourful settings. The plot
seems simple enough, but it has a few unexpected
twists and turns and the ending, although satisfying,
suggests a sequel. Characters are weaved in and out
of the story and mentioned again in the epilogue.
It is a debut novel and a long read divided into
seven distinct parts, which should help librarians
and teachers in promoting it to their students. The
skillful black and white drawings that preface each
part enhance the story and will also aid promotion.
Judith Palka
64
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Engaging Teenage Readers?
Fast-paced, third millennial sociological shifts have
created a Generation Z of teenagers, otherwise known
as the ‘iGen’ who are very different from the X and Y
generations. Driven by technology, these digital natives
are hard researchers, avid gamers, and social media
experts with a desire to be entertained on demand.
It is well-known that reading
improves memory function,
increases concentration levels,
and can relieve stress, but reading
significantly improves emotional
intelligence too.
This can play a key
role in supporting
young people,
their mental
health,
and their
journey into
adulthood.
All teens will
go through
huge changes,
physically and
mentally, and many will
face life experiences that are
difficult to deal with.
Fiction is an important form of
escape, helping teens imagine
Reading
Agency
research - 31% of
adults do not read for
pleasure in their free
time, and as high as
46% for young adults
(aged 16 to 24).
and relate, and can be a great aid
for dealing with new experiences.
Literature provides opportunities
to find and identify with people
just like them.
Question is, are there more ways
in which libraries can enhance
the reading environment to
help teens embrace the art of
reading… the answer is yes!
WF’s teen reading
solutions, encompass several
factors cleverly combined to
create a space that works.
We interviewed and surveyed
hundreds of librarians from
across the UK and France to
gain insight into what works and
what doesn’t when it comes to
retaining the engagement of teen
readers.
Our research shows the ideal
teen reading space combines a
perfect balance of…
• face out browsing
• comfortable seating options
• plentiful book stock storage
…all contained within a
dedicated corner ‘zone’ that
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VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
65

Books: 13 – 16 | Information
Cummings-Quarry,
Melissa, and Carter,
Natalie A.
Grown: The Black Girls’
Guide to Glowing Up
Illustrated by Dorcas Magbadelo
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
2021, pp256, £12.99
9781526623713
Empowering. Teenagers.
Black Lives Matter
From the creators of the Black Girl Book Club comes
an empowering book for Black girls growing up in
the UK. All chapters focus on encouraging young
women to live their best Black life and it has the feel
of both a self-help book – a journal with sections
to fill in, alone or with friends – and a magazine to
browse at leisure.
It answers questions about important themes like
identity, friendships, relationships, periods, body
image, faith, and careers, as well as hacks for selfcare
and lifestyle recommendations.
Whilst being an accessible manual for Black teen
life it is also a great way to delve deeper into bigger
issues and conversations about concepts such as
white fragility, misogynoir, and adultification, and
what they mean to young Black women today.
This is definitely an important book to have in your
library – regardless of the colour of your skin.
Cassie Kemp
Matyszak, Philip
24 Hours in
Ancient Athens
Michael O’Mara Books Ltd
2021, pp272, £8.99
9781789293500
Ancient Greece. People. History
During these 24 hours, we are introduced to a
comprehensive set of characters who live in 416BC
Athens from all levels of society, expertly brought
to life as the city teeters on the brink of war with
Sparta. Meet hoplites, slave girls, market traders,
vase painters, councilman, housewives, and naval
commanders to name a few, through whom readers
are shown a wonderfully vivid and detail-rich
glimpse into this ancient society. Drawing expertly on
historical facts, sources, and known details, Matyszak
adds pacey and engaging text to fully immerse
readers in the stories of the real people from this
time. Each chapter can be read independently and
would make fabulous group discussion material,
particularly with comparisons to modern day society,
morality, philosophy, and religion. This would
amply support pupils studying Ancient Greece, with
more adult themes of this society such as sorcery,
homosexuality, gender inequality, drunkenness,
sex, and slavery brought to life in accessible ways. In
places still rather concerning to the modern reader,
this may be more suitable for less sensitive pupils.
Meg Barclay
O’Farrell, Lily
Kyle Theory
The Indigo Press
2021, pp128, £11.99
9781911648307
Sexism. Cartoons. Feminism
Kyle Theory is a series of comic strips drawn by
Lily O’Farrell to depict the sexism she encountered
during her day job as a waitress. Initially these were
on the back of receipts, but when Lily started to
post them on Instagram, she found herself with a
growing audience that were able to identify with
what she was facing. The drawings became so
popular, this has now become her full-time job.
‘Kyle’ is used to describe anyone that reinforces
sexism, whether they are male or female.
The book is really bright and colourful and
contains lots of simple yet effective drawings to
demonstrate different instances of sexism, racism,
and internet trolls. Some scenarios are depicted
with just one image where others are a series of
drawings. Those with more than one drawing
are numbered, to avoid confusion when reading.
The images and the content in some of the comic
strips is quite explicit, making the reading age for
this book age 14 and over.
Charlotte Cole
Parker, Nicky
Know Your Rights
and Claim Them:
A Guide for Youth
Anderson Press
2021, pp277, £7.99
9781839131196
Childhood. Rights. Education
This is a must have for every school library, as young
people everywhere develop a curiosity about the
world around them and choose to challenge or
accept the situation they find themselves in. This is
the perfect book to dip into or read from cover to
cover. It informs and educates young people as well
as being easy to read.
The book is divided into four sections: section one
is a history of childhood rights, section two covers
different areas of life that young people may want
to find more information about, section three is all
about how to claim your rights, and the last section
has a list of useful information.
Tanya Henning
Ryan, Donald
24 Hours in
Ancient Egypt
Michael O’Mara Books Ltd
2021, pp272, £8.99
9781789293517
Egypt. Nile. Daily Life
For most, Ancient Egypt is associated with pyramids
and glamorous tomb furnishings. Donald Ryan’s
book gives a much more complete picture of life
in Kemet, as the land was called. It takes a 24-hour
look at a typical day. Each hour is assigned to an
individual, and each individual has his or her trade or
occupation. The ‘8th hour of the Night’, for example,
is devoted to Amenhotep, the nation’s ruler, while
the ‘1st Hour of the Night’ introduces us to Ezer and
his brickmaker friends, enslaved prisoners of war.
Other individuals include Henti, variously employed
as a professional mourner and nude dancer,
Neverhotep, a doctor with a military background,
and Nemwef, a trainee tomb robber.
During an hour with the housewife, Mutemwia, we
learn about the sheer hard work that supported daily
existence. Egypt, we often forget, was an aggressive,
militarized state, where a food surplus gave it an
edge over other countries.
Most material in the book derives from drawings in
tombs, many included as illustrations. This is a vivid
and informative book, very warmly recommended.
Martin Axford
Sandbrook, Dominic
Adventures in Time:
The Second World War
Particular Books
2021, pp354, £14.99
9780241469774
History. War. People
This book provides an excellent
overview of the Second World War. Starting with
the rise of Nazi Germany, the book provides a full
account of the war through to 1945 and a reflection
on post-war events. Most pertinently, this book
does not constrain itself to a Euro-centric vision of
the war and is unafraid in its incorporation of global
events, like the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in Mongolia,
that provide an important level of detail for the
reader. The author’s approach to telling the story of
the war is also interesting and works well. This book
contains a vast array of factual information and
dates, but it keeps this engaging by blending such
historical information with the real-life stories of
people who experienced the war first-hand.
This human history is brilliant and illuminates some
fascinating stories of, as the author states, ‘ordinary
people caught up in a war they never wanted’.
Overall, the book provides an interesting, detailed,
and historically valuable sweep of the Second World
War that will no doubt entertain and engage its
reader.
Dominic Maddocks
66
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 13 – 16 | Information
Sandbrook, Dominic
Adventures in Time:
Alexander the Great
Particular Books
2021, pp322, £14.99
9780241469743
History. Classics. Adventure
Here, in novel format, Sandbrook expertly adds
colour and character to the life of Alexander the
Great, from his birth in 356BC to his death from
disease in 323 BC. Written in four parts, readers learn
of Alexander’s childhood in Macedonia, Greece
and then journey with him through the deserts of
Egypt and over snowy mountains into Persia, all the
while conquering new lands, recruiting troops, and
enlarging his army and empire.
Through his journeying we learn of the moods and
motivations of this great but flawed leader. Children
who love history, and learning about historical
figures, particularly with an interest in classical
history, will devour this book. It is called non-fiction
but reads as a story and is well deserving of a
space in a school library for confident readers in
upper key stage 2 or among the history books of a
secondary library.
Jane Broadis
Sandbrook, Dominic
Adventures in Time: The
Six Wives of Henry VIII
Particular Books
2021, pp311, £14.99
9780241469736
History. Tudor. Women
This is perfect for fans of Horrible Histories who want
something a little more challenging. The chapters are
long but split into chunks of three to four pages. This,
combined with the storyline-focused writing style,
means that while the book may seem daunting, it is
actually manageable and enjoyable to read.
The book is split into six parts, each following a
different wife of Henry VIII and combining narrative
storyline and historical information. While the
overall narrative remains focused on the story of the
Tudor queens, it often spirals into detailed historical
explanations. For example, while describing
Catherine of Aragon’s first experience of England,
the narrative detours to remark on the average size
of Tudor towns and the English education system.
Thus, the book gives a brief yet wholistic overview
of the reign of Henry VIII. Readers gain not only an
understanding of the period in general, but also
important events, such as the Field of the Cloth of
Gold and the Pilgrimage of Grace, and figures, such
as Wolsey, Cromwell, and More.
Matt Cowie
Stokes, Julie
You Will Be Okay
Wren & Rook
2021, pp212, £9.99
9781526363893
Bereavement. Counselling. Grief
Not written specifically for Covid-19
victims, this book is useful for everyone who has
experienced the death of a loved one or knows
someone who has. The cover illustration shows a
small boat battling high storm waves, but help is in
sight from the lighthouse for guidance and the life
buoy to keep afloat. It likens grief to those waves
– it is a battle to overcome one, only to be faced
by another. The book offers strategies to progress
through the myriad of feelings at a time of grief.
It acknowledges that not everyone feels the same
and that whatever ‘you are feeling isn’t “wrong” or
“strange” or “weak”’.
The author is a clinical psychologist who has
helped many families through grief and has herself
experienced in childhood the death of her father.
The book stresses the need to talk and be open, and
although it didn’t explicitly state that often people
use misleading language to describe death, such
as passing away or going to sleep, it did say it was
imperative to have that ‘Courageous Conversation’.
Dawn Woods
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VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
67

Books: 17 – 19
Austin, Annemarie
Shall We Go?
Bloodaxe Books
2021, pp72, £9.95
9781780375533
Poetry. Reflection. Form
Major themes of this collection
are the insubstantiality of form, ways in which
shape and substance morph, and the uncertainty
of establishing identity: a hole is ‘defined solely by
what it is not’, a poem could be made into a paper
boat, a dress form – ‘a sort of wire-netting corset’
– demonstrates that ‘form was fiercer than shape
could be’. In one poem, the potential of a drawn
line is explored, while elsewhere, seen from a train
window in snow, a white horse carved on a hill is ‘no
longer a thing of lines’. Inspiration comes from many
sources, from Goya to Henri Bergson, a Camile
Silvy photograph, and songwriter Yip Harburg,
while a variety of poetic forms are employed, from
cascading enjambement to first person narrative.
The eye for detail is meticulous, whether observing
a tiny snail hanging on a thread or ‘unmoving risen
winter ditches’ which ‘make mirrors of everywhere’.
There are many surprises, such as ‘I Go On It’, which
refers us back to the collection’s first poem, and
much for older students of poetry to explore.
Frank Startup
Bennett, M.A
S.T.A.G.S: T.I.G.E.R.S
Hot Key Books
2021, pp270, £7.99
9781471408687
Thriller. Privilege. India
Exclusive Saint Aiden the Great
School (STAGS) forms the background of the
action-packed fourth book in the series. This can
be read as a stand-alone novel, tackling themes
of privilege, prejudice, and bullying in a pacy and
intentionally shocking tale. The contemporary story
revolves around Greer and Shafeen from St. Aiden’s
and their search for news which appears to have
sent Shafeen’s father, Aadish, into a coma. Aadish
tells a portion of the story from earlier times. Sent
away from India, his journey to become an ‘English
gentleman’ was disrupted by a secret, binding him to
the powerful STAGS in mysterious ways.
T.I.G.E.R.S hooks the reader from the beginning. Set
in both India and England, the story might encourage
discussions about the countries’ shared histories.
Some scenes are more suited to older readers: oral
sex is described, as the basis of a joke. An attempted
rape begins, is disturbed, and is not graphically
described. Hunting scenes with non-white
characters as ‘prey’ are described but they either
escape or are rescued.
Sharon Corbally
Hale, Brenda
Spider Woman:
A Life Lady Hale
The Bodley Head
2021, pp278, £20
9781847926593
Law. Non-Fiction. Memoir
This is a memoir written by Lady
Brenda Hale, the former president of the Supreme
Court of the United Kingdom. A fascinating story
of a girl born to a family of teachers in North
Yorkshire, capturing her journey to one of the most
important judicial roles in the country. Lady Hale
is an inspiration to all and though she describes
herself as a soft feminist, she is in fact a fierce
presence in a career once greatly dominated by
men, bringing in a tidal wave of reform in family
law. She neatly unpacks various legal cases to prove
‘law is not always simple and straightforward’.
Through her various experiences in the courtroom,
and outside, the book shows how laws written by
men are inevitably unfavourable to the women who
find themselves caught in a fight they cannot get
out of without legal proceedings. Spider Woman
is the new superhero in the arena. As they say,
not all superheroes wear capes, this one wears a
wig and robes. An inspiring read for sixth formers
considering further study in law.
Kas Roy Bardhan
EDITOR’S PICK
Jackson, Holly
A Good Girl’s
Guide to Murder:
As Good as Dead
Electric Monkey
2021, pp565, £8.99
9781405298605
Crime. Murder. Thriller
Wow, what a rollercoaster ending to this trilogy!
I’m still reeling. This last instalment picks up directly
from the events of the previous two books, with
Pip experiencing considerable trauma from her
experiences, and the crimes still unresolved. This
does require series knowledge to deal with the large
cast of characters and their storylines; however,
if you’ve not read the previous books, stick with
it, because halfway through there is a HUGE twist
and you will be hooked, heart pounding, gasping
for breath ... Jackson takes her readers into very
dark territory indeed. This is equal to adult thrillers
in every respect (think Mo Hayder, Sharon Bolton,
etc.); the only thing that marks this as young adult is
the fact the protagonist is 18 years old. Pip is trying
to find some sort of messy justice for the murders
and rapes she’s investigated, but the costs are going
to be so very high. Powerful stuff, with no holds
barred, for the mature reader. It will, deservedly, fly
off the shelves. Don’t miss it! Contains swearing,
themes of rape, abuse, and violence.
Jo Sennit
Jones, Kimberly,
and Segal, Gilly
Why We Fly
Sourcebooks
2021, pp320, £13.99
9781492678922
Antiracism. Cheerleading.
Consequences
Competitive cheerleaders Nelly and Leni have been
best friends forever, and now that it’s their senior
year in high school they intend to do everything
they can to qualify for the National High School
Cheerleading Championship and secure their
futures at university. But when quiet Leni is awarded
the cheer team captaincy over take-charge Nelly,
the cracks in their friendship start, and those
cracks deepen as Leni’s relationship with the star
quarterback develops. When the team spontaneously
decides to “take a knee” during the national anthem
in solidarity with others protesting against systemic
racism, and Nelly is the only one punished for the
action, the consequences are potentially devastating
for Nelly’s future and for their friendship.
With some American terminology readers will
thoroughly enjoy this novel about the complexities
of friendship, parental pressures, and protesting.
Nelly’s secret use of marijuana as a coping device
is resolved sensitively and makes this book more
suitable for older readers.
Bridget Hamlet
Lowe, Hannah
The Kids
Bloodaxe Books
2021, pp80, £10.99
9781780375793
Poetry. Family. Education
The Kids is a fabulous poetry
anthology and is perfect for those
studying English Language and/or Literature at
A-Level. Full of social class, empathy, humour, and
race, these poems explore what it is to be taught and
to teach and how we all still have ‘a child’ within us
trying to reach out in order to learn about uncertain
futures ahead. The imagery included is interesting
and clever and makes the reader ask questions
about what we’re really about.
The whole anthology was a joy to read as each
sonnet has its own place addressing the personal
and social aspects of being a child, a teacher, and
a mother. The psychological aspects included
also pose questions themselves as the unique
storytelling and powerful messaging throughout
this book is outstanding.
I thoroughly enjoyed it; it was nice to reflect and
laugh whilst reading these poems. I think every sixth
form/university should have a copy in their libraries.
Emma Suffield
68
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: 17 – 19
Best New Books – Change
Editor’s pick
Naomi Klein and Rebecca Stefeff
Kenrya Rankin
Lonely Planet
Kacen Callender
How to Change Everything
Penguin, 2021, 336pp, £12.99
9780241492918
Activism, Climate, Environment
Social activist Naomi Klein takes a
comprehensive look at the climate
crisis and suggests ways in which
young people can make a difference.
Anti Racism Powerful Voices,
Inspiring Ideas
Sasquatch, 2020, 160pp, £14.99
9781632173409
Biographies, Citizenship, Racism
Over 100 anti-racism activists share
thought-provoking passages and
quotes honouring voices, past and
present. Designed to enlighten and
encourage. Brief biographical notes
lend context to their words.
In Her Footsteps: Where
Trailblazing Women
Changed the World
Lonely Planet, 2020, 288pp, £17.99
9781838690458
Biography, Travel
A gazetteer of women from
around the world who are or were
trailblazers and the locations where
they studied, lived, worked, reigned
and explored.
Felix Ever After
Faber, 2021, 368pp, £7.99
9780571368013
Art, Bullying, LGBTQ+
Felix has not hidden his trans status,
but he does not publicise photos
from his early life, so when they are
displayed for the whole school to see,
he has reason to object.
Stewart Lawrence
Silence is Not an Option
Suzy Zail
I Am Change
Hazel Prior
Away with the Penguins
Juno Dawson
Stay Another Day
Scholastic, 2021, 160pp, £14.99
9780702310560
Activism, Mental Health, Racism
Stuart Lawrence, known as the
brother of murdered teenager
Stephen talks about the tools that
have helped him live positively
and kept him moving forwards in
tough times.
Walker, 2020, 352pp, £7.99
9781406397581
Feminism, FGM, Inequality
Set in a Ugandan village, Lilian is
supposed to accept old expectations
of what a girl is, exacerbated by
poverty. But this young girl fights
for change.
Black Swan, 2020, 416pp, £8.99
9781784164249
Adventure, Environment, Family
Veronica McCreedy has reached the
age of 85 and her life is extremely
comfortable – ordered as she likes.
But that’s about to change.
Querus, 2021, 354pp, £7.99
9781786541086
Families, LGBTQ+, Mental Health
It’s two years since the whole
family met up at Christmas, so this
Christmas is going to be so nostalgic
and cosy. Or perhaps not?
Myers Sain, Ginny
Dark and Shadow Lies
Electric Monkey
2021, pp421, £8.99
9780008494780
Families. The Supernatural.
Suspense
This debut novel opens with
the heroine, Grey, returning to her home town,
La Cachette, the Psychic Capital of the World. An
astonishing array of characters – each with his or
her particular psychic power – provide the backdrop
to this thriller. This is high voltage reading: suspense
and nail-biting tension are maintained throughout
its 28 chapters and over 400 pages. Grey is part of
a group, originally ten in number, who are all of the
same age – seventeen years – and who have grown
up as close friends. Three, however, are missing: two
disappeared some years ago and Grey’s best friend,
Elora, has been a missing person for some months.
A prose style which does not lack quality but does
frequently feature very short ‘sentences’ of two
words or even one: ‘You know.’; ‘Dead.’ A style
which accords with the racy tone of the book and
reinforces the mood music. The dialogue, with its
strong language, is very American. In addition, the
prominent love interest ensures that it is a novel
which will appeal to the upper teens.
Elizabeth Finlayson
Norgate, Stephanie
The Conversation
Bloodaxe Books
2021, pp80, £10.99
9781780375748
Nature. Memories. Secrets
This is a richly textured collection
which sixth form poetry societies
and older students could spend many happy hours
exploring. Beneath the contemporary surface of
lockdowns, wi-fi, and WhatsApp, there are depths
and mysteries, from those embodied in stone
circles and chambers connecting to magical pasts,
to technological methods of burying ‘the words
unwise, unwished for, better left unwritten’. There is
an other-worldly sense in even the most apparently
ordinary: a child sleeping in a supermarket trolley;
‘the blue alternate world of surgeons in scrubs’. A
number of poems celebrate nature in descriptions
of various plants, from woodruff and bluebells to
blackthorn and dead nettles, while in ‘Elegy to the
Closeness of London’, the chaotic experience of life
in the city is beautifully caught. The two are brought
together in a city wildlife garden where ‘a hiss quivers
in the grass. An ash shivers in the drilling’. Many
poems are written in the first person, memories of
and reflections on experience, some from childhood,
and other delights include some excellent examples
of prose-poems. Varied and engrossing.
Frank Startup
O’Donoghue, Caroline
The Gifts That
Bind Us
Walker Books Ltd
2022, pp400, £7.99
9781406393101
Magic. Tarot. Coming-of-Age
The world is changing for
Maeve, her friends are moving
on and starting new lives at university and she
is stuck with worries of the Children of Brigid, a
right-wing religious organisation, taking over her
hometown. She needs to strengthen her magical
powers, along with her gifted friends, to take back
control of their mystic powers and their city. The
book alludes to many struggles that young adults
face, giving the text an authentic and tangible
teenage voice. It takes a progressivist approach
to gender identity and addresses misconceptions
people have about it. The novel is a sequel,
enriching the work of the first book All our
Hidden Gifts but works as a stand-alone story as
the characters go on a journey of self-discovery.
Contains swearing, themes of rape and abuse,
and violence.
Natalie Caudwell
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
69

Books: 17 – 19
Putchtler, Jaqueline
World War II
Flying Stories
Cranthorpe Millner Publishers
2021, pp286, £8.99
9781912964970
Aviation. World War II. Diversity
Written by a school librarian, this collection of seven
short stories focuses on aviation during World War II.
All inspired by real events, it is clear that the author
has done their research, and the introduction gives
additional background information to set each story
in context.
The stories are diverse in both character and plot,
and subsequently present an alternative perspective
on the war, giving a voice to those whose histories
have previously remained hidden. I certainly had
my eyes opened to the active service role that many
women played during the war.
This collection is jammed full of action and
adventure, and although published for adults,
will be enjoyed by older pupils.
Shona Page
Rooney, Sally
Beautiful World,
Where Are You
Faber & Faber
2021, pp288, £16.99
9780571365425
Love. Sex. Relationships
Beautiful World focuses on four characters — the
two best friends and the two men with whom they
test tentative new romantic relationships. Rooney’s
characters are smart and deep but also flawed,
frequently exasperating, and very insecure. The
characters yearn for connection (including sex) but
often sabotage these relationships.
As is Rooney’s style, the reader is meant to be part
of the flow of conversation: active, not passive. We
aren’t just reading, we are “experiencing”. The dull,
often unnecessary, details which are included draw
you into the scene. This also explains the lack of
speech marks – it brings the dialogue into a kind
of immediacy. However, there are never too many
characters in conversation, so you always know
who’s speaking.
Rooney’s flawed characters are the focus, but also
the very real boredom of their lives. The emails carry
so much more in this book than the conversations
(which are often awkward, hesitant, and unrevealing).
If you enjoyed Rooney’s other work then you will
probably enjoy this too.
Emma Price
Sáenz, Benjamin Alire
Aristotle and Dante
Dive into the Waters
of the World
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
2021, pp528, £8.99
9781398505278
Love. Grief. LGBT
Aristotle and Dante are back in this much anticipated
sequel to the beloved young adult contemporary
romance, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of
the Universe.
In this second instalment, Ari and Dante have
found each other, but they are quickly discovering
that falling in love is often just the beginning. Set
against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS epidemic,
Ari experiences a loss that changes everything.
Can his relationship with Dante not only survive,
but thrive, when everything else in his life starts to
come undone?
As in the first book the poetic, lyrical prose shines,
and will provide plenty of inspiration for discussing
style and metaphor with older students. This is very
much a character driven story, with a huge amount
of focus on exploring relationships, including the
characters’ relationships with themselves. Whilst this
book won’t be right for students looking for a fastpaced
read, it rewards patient readers with a quietly
moving tale of love, inner strength, and self-belief.
Sammie Boon
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70
30015 Peters School Librarian Half Page Ad_130X180 - AW.indd 1 25/01/2022 11:29
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

Books: Professional
Barton, Alex
Reading Recharged
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp144, £24.99
9781472984869
Reading. Resources. Primary
Barton’s book is a guide and resource bank for
primary school teachers to use with guided
reading groups or whole class sessions, using a
flexible pedagogy that incorporates varied types
of differentiation for mixed ability teaching. He
emphasises the importance of mastery but with
responsibility to nurture a love of reading for all.
He accessibly outlines the principles and practice
for successful teaching of reading, enabling
non-specialist teachers to feel confident. He
covers the teaching of seven key skills (National
Curriculum Reading Skills) from basic ‘retrieval’ to
‘authorial intent’ in well-structured chapters, which
outline an introduction to the key Skill, show how
to run activities for it, and provide a collection of
activity worksheets. For busy teachers, this book
is a fabulous resource: the planning is all in place;
however, these are also adaptable and flexible
enough to be a scaffold for more experienced
teachers who may wish to make activities and
worksheets “their own”. This is an exciting and fresh
set of resources which will be invaluable for primary
key stages 1 and 2.
Stephanie Barclay
Brower, Francine, and
MacKenzie Cox, Keith
Across the Spectrum
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp176, £24.99
9781472984524
Autism. Communication. School Environments
This is a useful and sensitively written
comprehensive guide to understanding the many
varied and diverse behaviours of pupils with autism;
it aims to help aid understanding and ultimately
reduce challenging behaviours and encourage
positive ones, so as to enable communication
and interaction between all involved. Drawing on
a wealth of personal expertise, topics discussed
cover a range of autism presentations, such as
communication, behaviour, sensory differences and
socialisation. It is full of useful case studies, example
activities, and exercises to help aid communication
and reduce anxiety, which are perfect for any school
setting: 1:2:1s, classroom, playground, dinner hall,
etc. This would be an especially useful introduction
for newly qualified teachers and staff who have not
previously worked with pupils with autism, as well as
a support for senior leadership teams who want to
create wider strategic classroom and school polices
for inclusion, diversity, and educational needs. The
final chapter offers useful advice and suggestions for
parents and families, which supports a pupil’s wider
development outside the school environment.
Meg Barclay
Griggs, Kate
This is Dyslexia
Vermilion
2021, pp256, £11.99
9781529149265
Dyslexia. Education. Perception
In This is Dyslexia Kate Griggs
seeks to advocate and change the perception of
dyslexia in society. This book seeks to embrace
the strengths and skills dyslexics have. The book
is written in a dyslexic friendly format, and it
contains quotes, infographics and QR codes
that take you to additional videos to watch for
further information. For dyslexics, this book
is inspirational. For professionals and anyone
working with children or adults with dyslexia, this
is not only essential but insightful reading. Most
importantly, it argues for reshaping education for
the twenty-first century to ensure dyslexics can
show their strengths and skills.
Kate Keaveny
Mann, Abigail
Succeeding as an
English Teacher
Bloomsbury Education
2021, pp256, £16.99
9781472989413
Education. Teaching. English
EDITOR’S PICK
This is an excellent guide on what it takes to be an
English teacher and will be an invaluable resource
to many.
It encapsulates life as an English teacher – from
early career and succeeding in your NQT year to
curriculum leadership and mapping out curriculum
plans. It also covers everything in between
comprehensively.
The book is a brilliant mix of voices from a talented
group of professionals and experienced classroom
practitioners, who are supported by research.
Because it is co-authored, it successfully represents
a wide range of experience and contexts – so
there is something for everyone regardless of how
experienced they may be.
This book is an excellent resource; it is nicely written
and very easy to follow. An absolute must-buy for
any English department shelf!
Emma Price
Pavey, Sarah
Playing Games in
the School Library
Facet Publishing
2021, pp171, £45
9781783305339
Gamification. Libraries. Development
I have been admiring, for several years now, the
possibilities of game-based learning within libraries.
I’ve never been adventurous enough to sail in
these uncharted waters, possibly due to many case
studies being predominately focussed within higher
education. This book, however, will definitely put
the “wind in the sail” and confidently push school
librarians into experimenting with gamification.
The author begins by explaining the numerous
pedological learning theories. This I was very
thankful for, as the success and impact of gaming,
as it’s consistently pointed out, depends on the need
to consider not just emotional and social factors but
also theoretical pedagogy when devising games.
There are case studies, illustrating how games are
created and implemented within school libraries. If
you work in a school where the ‘computers don’t
always work’ there are lots of physical games,
alongside the digital. There’s a useful chapter on
‘live games’ and creating escape rooms, which may
inspire future library events. This book has given me a
‘can do’ attitude – and so my gaming journey begins.
Kevin Sheehan
Truman, Clare
The Teacher’s
Introduction to
Pathological Demand
Avoidance: Essential
Strategies for the
Classroom
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
2021, pp176, £14.99
9781787754874
Behaviour. PDA. Disability
Pathologic Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a
developmental disorder that often presents with
traits of autism but has very different features. This
book is full of practical ideas and suggestions on how
to work with children with PDA. The introduction
explains what we know about PDA and how it can
affect the educational experience. Chapters are
broken up with sub-headings, there is a useful
summary at the end of each one, and there is further
advice via a reading list and online resources. Key
issues covered include prioritising and presenting
demands; rules and boundaries; target setting and
planning; sensory issues; preferred language; social
skills; promoting learning and enabling students;
managing PDA in the classroom; and dealing with
common and hidden distressed behaviour. The book
would be an excellent addition to the staff library and
useful for anyone working with students.
Barbara Band
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022
71

Books: Review Index
A
Ahmed, Sufiya – Ruby Ali’s Mission Break Up 44
Akiwenzie-Damm, Kateri –
This Place 150 Years Retold 60
Alexander, Banji – Lockdown
Looms Reggie’s Birthday Party 44
Alexander, Kwame and Anyabwile, Dawud –
The crossover 63
Amstutz, Lisa J, – Safety inventions
inspired by nature 37
Anderson, Rachel and Jevons, Chris –
Harry’s house of invention 37
Austin, Annemarie – Shall We Go? 68
Averiss, Corrinne – A Song in the Mist 34
B
Bailey, Ellen, and Pemberton, Lesley –
Feeling Good About Me 54
Baines, Samantha – The Night
the Moon Went Out 44
Balen, Katya – Maggie and the Moonbird 44
Ballheimer, David – Football legends:
the top 100 stars of the modern game 47
Banville, Sarah – Monsters: 100 Weird
Creatures from Around the World 54
Barr, Catherine, Williams, Steve and Husband,
Amy – The story of inventions: a first book
about world-changing discoveries 37
Barfield, Mike – A Day in the Life of a Caveman,
A Queen and Everything In Between 54
Barkla, Charlotte – All Bodies
are Good Bodies 34
Barton, Alex – Reading Recharged 71
Bellon, Teresa – We Got This!
A Book about Resilience 34
Bellos, Alex, and Lyttleton, Ben –
Football School: Terrific Teams 54
Ben-Barak, Idan – We Go Way Back 54
Bennett, M.A – S.T.A.G.S: T.I.G.E.R.S 68
Bennett, Robin – Stupendous Sports:
Rampaging Rugby 54
Bently, Peter – Dogs in Disguise 34
Benziman, Naama – Lenny and Benny 34
Biddulph, Rob, – Peanut Jones and the
Illustrated City 44
Boone, Mary – Ada Lovelace:
Technology Pioneer 37
Box, Fifi – Minty Mae Gray
and the Strangely Good Day 34
Boyd, Serlina – Cocoa Girl Awesome Hair 55
Brahmachari, Sita, illstr Sirett, Natalie –
When Shadows Fall 63
Brooks, Charlie – The Super-Secret Diary of
Holly Hopkinson: A little Bit of a Big Disaster! 44
Brower, Francine, and MacKenzie Cox, Keith –
Across the Spectrum 71
Brown, Susan M – The Ogilvie Trilogy:
A Very Annoying Visitor 45
Bruton, Catherine – Following Frankenstein 45
Burkett, Seth, and Oldfield, Matt –
Play like your Football Heroes 55
Burton, Jessie – Medusa 60
Buti, Lateefa – Hatless 35
C
Callender, Kacen – Felix ever after 69
Campbell, Jen – The Sister Who Ate
Her Brothers and Other Gruesome Tales 45
Capetti, Antonella – How Beautiful 35
Carroll, Emma – The Week at World’s End 45
Chancellor, Deborah –
Polly Bee Makes Honey 35
Compiled by Shaw, May – The Magical Unicorn
Society: Unicorns Myths and Monsters 52
Critchley, Emily – The Bear Who Sailed
the Ocean on an Iceberg 45
Crossan, Sarah and Brian Conaghan –
We come apart 63
Crossan, Sarah – Fizzy and the Party 35
Crossan, Sarah – Moonrise 63
Crossan, Sarah – Tomorrow Is Beautiful 60
Crumpton, Nick – Everything You Know
about Dinosaurs Is Wrong 55
Cummings-Quarry, Melissa, and
Carter, Natalie A. – Grown:
The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up 66
Curtin, Judi – A Lisadell story: Lily’s dream 45
D
Dahl, Sophie – The Worst Sleepover
in the World 35
D’Aurelio, D. A. – The Secret Notebook 46
Davies, Benji – Bizzy Bear Breakdown Truck 35
Davies, Nicola – This is How Change Begins 60
Dawson, Juno – Stay another day 69
Deacon, Alexis – Ergo 36
Dickinson, Matt – Flare Up 60
Dixon, Alesha and Birchall, Katy – Girls Rule 60
Dockrill, Laura – Blossom 46
Dodd, Sarah – Keeper of Secrets 46
Dooley, Aoife – Frankie’s World 46
Dorey, Martin – Kids Fight Climate Change 56
Douglas, Ian – Story & Truth 36
Doyle, Malachy – Molly and the Shipwreck 36
Durkin, Frances – The Histronauts:
A Greek Adventure 56
E
Eagleton, Ian – Violet’s Tempest 36
Edwards, Justyn – The Great Fox Illusion 46
Edwards, Sharon – The Most Dangerous Spy 61
Evans, Cathy – Cats Eyes and Dog Whistles 56
F
Farrant, Natasha – The Girl Who Talked to Trees 47
Foulkes, Alex – Rules for Vampires 47
Fowler, Aisling – Fireborn
Twelve and the Frozen Forest 61
Foxlee, Karen – Dragon Skin 47
Fraser, Lucy – The Viking Who Liked Icing 36
French, Vivian – The Runaways
of Haddington Hall 48
Fuller, Lisa – Ghost Bird 61
Fullman, Joe – The World Book 56
G
Garland, Sally Anne – Nook 36
Garrard, Nicola – 29 Locks 61
George, Kallie – I Hear You, Forest 37
Girls, Rebel – Champions: 25 tales of
unstoppable athletes 47
Gorman, Amanda – Change Sings 37
Griffiths, Andy and Denton, Terry –
The 143-Storey Treehouse: Camping
Hoots and Soggy Boots 48
Griggs, Kate – This is Dyslexia 71
Growell, Louis – Monster Town:
Jack and the Giant Tantrum 37
H
Hale, Brenda – Spider Woman:
A Life Lady Hale 68
Harrison, Michelle – Midnight Magic:
Mirror Mischief 38
Henry, Lenny – The Boy With Wings 48
Hoena, Blake – Could you be
an extreme rock climber? 47
Hoffman, Susann – I Can Wear Anything 38
Hoffman, Susann – You Are Awesome 38
Hogtun, Stephen – Leaves 38
Hope, Lucy – Fledgling 48
Hudson, Katy – Mindful Mr Sloth 38
J
Jackson, Holly – A Good Girl’s Guide
to Murder: As Good as Dead 68
James, Lauren – Green Rising 61
John, Jory – The Smart Cookie 38
Jones, Amelina – One Human Community 39
Jones, Gareth – Solve Your Own Mystery:
The Monster Maker 48
Jones, Kimberly, and Segal, Gilly –
Why We Fly 68
Jones, Pip and Ogilvie, Sara - Izzy Gizmo and
the invention convention 37
Jones, Richard – Little Bear 39
K
Kasch, Jo – Mo and Crow 39
Kay, Adam – Kay’s Marvellous Medicine:
A Gross and Gruesome History of
the Human Body 56
Keen, Teddy – Journey to the Last River 61
Kennington, Tim – This Book is Full of Brains 56
Klein, Naomi and Stefeff, Rebecca –
How to change everything 69
Knight, Rich – If I Ran the Country 57
Konnecke, Ole – Translated by Shelley Tanaka –
Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest 39
L
Lake, Nick – Locked Out Lily 48
Langley, Swain, Samuel – Storm in a Jar 39
Lawrence, Iszi – Billie Swift Takes Flight 49
Lawrence, Stewart – Silence is not an option 69
Layton, Neal – A World Full of Wildlife
and How You Can Protect It 39
Lloyd, Christopher – It’s Up to Us: A Children’s
Terra Carta for Nature, People and Planet 57
Lloyd, Susannah – Oh Monty!
Cats...Cakes...Crumbs! 40
Lowe, Hannah – The Kids 68
Lucido, Aimee – In the key of code 63
M
Maddox, Jake and Morales, Eva – River race 47
Manley, Ben – Constance in Peril 40
Mann, Abigail – Succeeding
as an English Teacher 71
Mann, Manjeet – The Crossing 63
Mante, Priscilla – Jaz Santos Vs The World 47
Marufu, Aneesa – The Balloon Thief 62
Marx, Jonny – As Large as Life 57
Mastragostino, Matteo – Primo Levi 49
Matharu, Taran – Contender: The Champion 62
Matyszak, Philip – 24 Hours in
Ancient Athens 66
McCartney, Paul – Grandude’s
Green Submarine 40
McCaughrean, Geraldine, and Hodgson Burnett,
Frances – The Secret Garden 40
McGinty, Alice – Bathe the Cat 40
McLaughlin, Tom – Goodfellows 49
McNiff, Dawn – Let’s Play, Daddy Bear! 40
Mei, Charlotte – Pippin Paints a Portrait 41
Meres, Jonathan – Noodle the Doodle
Steals the Show 49
Miller, Ben – How I Became a
Dog Called Midnight 49
Miller, Carey – The World of the Unknown:
All About Monsters 57
Mitchell, Pratima – Bamba Beach 49
Moore, C.G and Chilcott, Becky – Gut Feelings 63
Moore, Inga – Moose’s Book Bus 41
Morpurgo, Michael – When Fishes Flew 50
Murphy, Pip – Christie and Agatha’s Detective
Agency: A Discovery Disappears 50
Myers Sain, Ginny – Dark and Shadow Lies 69
N
Nair, Preethi – Monster Life Lessons: Anjali’s
Story: My Magical Lip Balm Adventure 50
Nilsson, Frida – Hattie + Olaf 50
Norgate, Stephanie – The Conversation 69
O
O’Donoghue, Caroline –
The Gifts That Bind Us 69
O’Farrell, Lily – Kyle Theory 66
Oxtra, Cristina – Girls Survive:
Tara and the Towering Waves 50
P
Palacio R.J. – Pony 50
Papouskova, Eva – George the Wombat 41
Parappukkaran, Sandhya – The Boy Who
Tried to Shrink His Name 41
Parker, Nicky – Know Your Rights and Claim
Them: A Guide for Youth 66
Parker, Steve – and Metcalf, Jen – Whatever
the Weather: Learn about the Sun,
Wind and Rain 57
Parr, Lesley – When the War Came Home 51
Pavey, Sarah – Playing Games
in the School Library 71
Peake, Tim and Cole, Steve – Swarm Rising 51
Pearson, Jenny –
Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List 51
Pennypacker, Sara – Pax: Journey Home 51
Pike, Olly – What Does LGBT+ Mean? 57
Planet, Lonely – In her footsteps: where
trailblazing women changed the world 69
Pope, Samantha – The Haunting
of Lindy Pennyworth 62
Powell, Nick – Poppy Goes Wild 51
Priestley, Chris – Freeze 62
Prior, Hazel – Away with the penguins 69
Putchtler, Jaqueline –
World War II Flying Stories 70
Q
Quint, Chella – Own Your Period 58
R
Rauf, Onjali Q. – The Lion above the Door 51
Reid, Christopher – Old Toffer’s Book
of Consequential Dogs 52
Retold by Ewart, Franzeska G. – The Tempest 46
Reynolds, Jason – Stuntboy in the Meantime 52
Reynolds, Jason, and Kiely, Brendan –
All American Boys 62
Rhodes, Jewell Parker – Paradise on Fire 62
Rooney, Sally – Beautiful World,
Where Are You 70
Rumble, Coral, illstr Lin, Shih-Yu – Little Light 63
Ryan, Donald – 24 Hours in Ancient Egypt 66
Page numbers in italics indicate a book that features
in the Editor’s Picks highlight box on that page.
S
Sáenz, Benjamin Alire – Aristotle and
Dante Dive into the Waters of the World 70
Sahota, Kate – Little Glow 41
Sala, Felicita – A Year in Fleurville: Recipes
from Balconies, Rooftops, and Gardens 41
Sampson, Ana – Wonder: The
Natural History Museum Poetry Book 63
Sandbrook, Dominic – Adventures in Time:
The Second World War 66
Sandbrook, Dominic – Adventures in Time:
Alexander the Great 67
Sandbrook, Dominic – Adventures in Time:
The Six Wives of Henry VIII 67
Sedgwick, Marcus – Wrath 63
Seigal, Joshua – Yapping Away 42
Simpson, Phillip – Inventors you
should know about 37
Skibinski, Michal – I Saw a Beautiful
Woodpecker: The Diary of a Young
Boy at the Outbreak World War II 58
Smith, Nikki Shannon – The Dramatic
Life of Azaleah Lane 52
Snyder, Laurel – Swan: The Life
and Dance of Anna Pavlova 58
Sorosiak, Carlie – Roar Like a Lion 58
Soundar, Chitra – Sindu and
Jeet’s Detective Agency 52
Soundar, Chitra – We All Celebrate! 42
Stead, Emily – The football encyclopedia 47
Steffan Ros, Manon – The Blue Book of Nebo 63
Stephenson, Kristina – The Museum of
Marvellous Things 42
Stewart, Paul – Hat-Trick 52
Stokes, Julie – You Will Be Okay 67
Stowell, Louie – Loki: A Bad God’s
Guide to Being Good 53
Strick, Alexandra – You Can! 42
Stuart, Scott – The Very First You 42
Sullivan, Deirdre – Precious Catastrophe 64
Suzan, Leyla – Giften 64
Sweeney, T Caitriona – A Galway Fairytale 42
R
Rajan, Lisa and Trunfio, Alessia (illustrator) -
Tara Binns: Intrepid Inventor 37
Rankin, Kenrya – Anti racism
powerful voices, inspiring ideas 69
Reynolds, Jason – Lu 47
T
Tarakson, Stella – Magic Animal Café:
Harriot the Caretaker Mouse 53
Tellegen, Toon – No One is Angry Today 43
Thorogood, Chris – When Plants
Took Over the Planet 58
Todd, Traci N. – Nina: A Story of Nina Simone 58
Tosdevin, Frances – The Bear and Her Book 43
Truman, Clare – The Teacher’s Introduction
to Pathological Demand Avoidance:
Essential Strategies for the Classroom 71
Turner, Tracey, and Donkin, Andrew – A History
of the World in 25 Cities 59
V
Vegara, Sanchez, Isabel, Maria and
Harris, Lo – Michael Jordan 47
Verde, Susan – I Am Courage:
A Book of Resilience 43
W
Watson, Jo – Big Boned 64
Webber, Katherine – The Revelry 64
Wegelius, Jakob – The False Rose 53
Weil, Zaro – When Poems Fall from The Sky 53
Welsh, Clare Helen – Time to Move
South for Winter 43
Wenzel, Brendan – Inside Cat 43
Wilcox, Dominic and Mengardon, Katherine, –
Little inventors mission oceans!: invention
ideas to save the seas 37
Wilson, Jacqueline – The Primrose
Railway Children 53
Wood, Laura – A Single Thread of Moonlight 64
Woolfe, Angela – Roxy & Jones
The Curse of the Gingerbread Witch 53
Worms, Penny – The Most
Important Animal of All 59
Y
Yarlett, Emma – It’s Mine! 43
Ying, F L – A Dangerous Riddle of Chance 64
Z
Zail, Suzy – I am change 69
Zommer, Yuval – The Big Book of Belonging 59
72
VOLUME 70 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2022

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