Entrusted with the job of looking after a small family of Little People (think Borrowers), the Moriyama family have, for decades, ensured that they arEntrusted with the job of looking after a small family of Little People (think Borrowers), the Moriyama family have, for decades, ensured that they are safe and well-protected. Their single role as custodians? To leave a glass of milk each night for them to drink from.
But when war descends upon Japan, it tears the family apart in many ways as the care of the Little People is left to the youngest of the family: Yuri. Physically frail, she, along with the Little People, is taken to live with some distant relatives in the mountains, far away from the bombing. But will Yuri have the strength to care for the Little People and can she say strong enough for her brothers and parents who are away and under fire?
Originally published in Japan in 1967, it offers a fascinating insight into wartime Japan and young readers will find the parallels to the stories told in the UK revealing. How and why does war divide a family and what does it mean to honour your country and your family: this little book has some big themes within it and it's so well told and translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori. I think, in the UK especially, we can adopt a very Westernised and limiting view of the war and the effect that it had on so many; it is a part of almost all world cultures and to read this is to offer a window into another life in which the choices of the people and their lives will do more than echo those upon our doorstep.
Set with the country of Myanmar, William Grill's 'Bandoola' tells the story of the famous elephant and its carers during the rule of the British EmpirSet with the country of Myanmar, William Grill's 'Bandoola' tells the story of the famous elephant and its carers during the rule of the British Empire and the dawning of the Second World War. Lavishly illustrated in coloured pencils and presented with a series of beautiful spreads and highly accessible facts about Bandoola and all elephant-kind, William Grill's book is a little masterpiece. Wonderful to share and read alone too. ...more
I may have loved this as much as I did with Roz's first adventure but then there was many more different ecological themes going on there and the islaI may have loved this as much as I did with Roz's first adventure but then there was many more different ecological themes going on there and the island was far less busy than Roz's current habitat: human settlements.
Beginning her new life on a hard-up farmstead, Roz quickly acclimatises to her surroundings and makes friends with the local children and cows. But she years to meet Brightbill again and the island residents. Escape and freedom is key. But can a robot, touched with a unique mind, fit into these new surroundings and how can she truly escape when the world around her is so alien?
Without giving much more away, I'll just assure you that the ending is as touching and as perfect as I hoped it would be. A truly perfect ending to a pair of stories that are as deep as you want it to be. ...more
A gentle yet potent debut that champions conservation whilst touching upon loss and healing at the same time.
Since April's mother died, her father haA gentle yet potent debut that champions conservation whilst touching upon loss and healing at the same time.
Since April's mother died, her father has grown ever-distant - throwing himself into his work. So when an opportunity arises for them both to work on the remote Bear Island within the Arctic Circle, April and Dad, both recognise great potential in the trip even if their goals are different. Whilst April hopes that the solitude might bring them closer together, her father sees this as an even greater opportunity to become lost in research. With no one to really talk to or be with, April tours the island only to find it has another resident - a lost, neglected polar bear.
For me, there were strong connections to Anthony Browne's Gorilla. A girl, ignored, largely by her father, finds love and solace in a male replacement in the form of an animal. The difference being here that the animal needs saving and taking to a new place. The bear as a foil for her own father would make for an interesting comparison too.
Hannah's writing is full of poetry and emotion. Whilst Bear is wild, April is caught between sensibility and the special gift she has with being attuned to nature; it is this that allows her to communicate with Bear throughout. This connection between reality and the magical wildness of the landscape and Bear was something I enjoyed and there were times when I wondered, like April's father, whether Bear was real or not. All of which is heightened by Levi Pinfold's outstanding illustrations throughout.
The Last Bear is juggling two big things; the loss of a loved one and the loss of our planet. Both are deeply connected anyway and readers might enjoy reflecting on both and making the connections that the author presents us with. There's plenty to unpick here should you want to but also, it's a gentle story with much to take in and ponder should you wish to. ...more
Nobody does it better than Crossley-Holland. Impeccably researched and written like a true storyteller, I was pleasantly surprised at the whole structNobody does it better than Crossley-Holland. Impeccably researched and written like a true storyteller, I was pleasantly surprised at the whole structure of the collection and how, even though the stories are vast and stupendous and world-breaking in scale, the author managed to bind it all with a beginning and an end. Parallels to Christianity abound and the patterns of the older stories and how they were taken and moulded to fit new religions was key for me. For younger readers though, it will be curmudgeonly dwarves and arrogant giants, hammer-wielding gods and of course, Loki the trickster himself. Fantastically illustrated throughout by Jeffrey Alan Love. ...more
I enjoyed this little story and think that Heagerty and Mided make for a great pairing. It's a small, American town story with a great piece of urban I enjoyed this little story and think that Heagerty and Mided make for a great pairing. It's a small, American town story with a great piece of urban mythos attached to it: the sighting of the Sasquatch. For 17-year old Louie, who has lived here all her life, this is the best thing that happened to her home. It turned it into a charming tourist site, where all the residents know one another. Louie has no intention of ever leaving. So when a young property developer turns up and begins to buy out the whole town (with its ever-receding Sacquatch-tourist base), she decides that she will do whatever it takes to drive him out of town.
The concept behind the whole story was really sweet and I certainly know exactly what it's like to come from a very small town and be precious about it. In terms of a diverse cast too, Heagerty and Mided make great work here with Louie's same-sex parents as an anchor. The community of Southborough is a rich mix of gender and race.
The first thing I found difficult about the book though was the lettering which felt a font size too small in places. This ended up slowing the reading down a little for me in places. In addition, I think there was many attempts at stage-humour with people Air B&Bing in Louie's cupboard but it led to many moments in the books feeling silly rather than tugging on the heart-strings which is what I was looking for and, at times, what it felt Heagerty was pitching for too.
Finally, Louie is not the most likeable character. 17 years old without a weekend job (until she is drawn to get one) and throws the greatest fits of anger if things don't go her way; she doesn't ever truly change or grow but there was so much potential for it. Instead, everyone around her has to do the growing and changing and this just doesn't seem right to me.
Otherwise, a sweet story with great illustrations. I will definitely look for more of Heagerty's work in the future. Probably aimed at KS3+ but with nothing at all offensive so could work in UKS2. ...more
I had a copy of this book on my shelf from when it first came out and even had children in the class read it but I'd never read it until I saw a studeI had a copy of this book on my shelf from when it first came out and even had children in the class read it but I'd never read it until I saw a student had enjoyed it. What was I thinking?!? Absolutely brimming with wry humour and plenty of action it was absolutely fantastic and I look forward to reading more in the series. Silly but not too silly, and adventurous without losing plot or sense of character, Skulduggery was a super read.
I think any in-depth review around the plot would reveal too much so let's just say that Stephanie's rich, novelist uncle dies only to leave all his fortune to his favourite niece. At the reading of the will, a strange character called Skulduggery Pleasant appears to pay his respects and soon both he and Stephanie's lives are thrown together as is the fate of the entire world.
Stephanie soon finds that her uncle lived a life of magic and mystery and Skulduggery was one of the doors into this world. There's something different about Skulduggery - he's a skeleton, he a sorcerer and he's very dead...he also has a penchant for risk and trouble and plenty of dangerous enemies who would like to see him and his associates dead.
I wouldn't say it's a class novel but it is a great independent read for children who have a good sense of humour and like adventure too. ...more
This was a beautiful ghost story. Translated from Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa, I bought it after seeing it reviewed on a website. Kashiwaba has This was a beautiful ghost story. Translated from Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa, I bought it after seeing it reviewed on a website. Kashiwaba has been a muse for director, Hayao Miyazaki and the themes and style of the book made that connection abundantly clear. Kashiwaba has a very clever way of seeing the world through the eyes of a child in the same way that Kate Di Camillo (and Miyazaki) does.
It would be silly to summarise the story as to do so would give too much away. Needless to say that this is a story with deep moral questions about life and justice and love and hope; all woven in a rich tapestry of a story. I was worried that the ending would come to too abrupt an ending but it absolutely did not. ...more
Far ahead of its time in challenging entrenched traditional tales tropes, Nesbit takes a carnivalesque approach to the fairy tale. When the king and qFar ahead of its time in challenging entrenched traditional tales tropes, Nesbit takes a carnivalesque approach to the fairy tale. When the king and queen know the rules of christenings and bad fairies not invited, they choose to invite no fairies at all and save the hassle. Still, one particular fairy takes umbridge at this and ensures that the princess' hair will continually grow at an alarming rate for the rest of her life. Enter a prince to help save her but with wit and guile and...with her blessing and consent. He's not interested in getting permission from the king but from her alone.
Text=heavy, this is more illustrated book than picturebook but Lynch's work feels like it does more than merely embellish. It invites the reader in and provides a sumptuous insight into Nesbit's world. Delicious illustrations abound - a right, royal treat and a tale that still stands well even after 100 years. ...more
I am a huge Colin Thompson fan and was so pleased to cover a fine copy of Ruby in the 2nd hand bookshop. The premise of the story itself is actually bI am a huge Colin Thompson fan and was so pleased to cover a fine copy of Ruby in the 2nd hand bookshop. The premise of the story itself is actually based around the idea of winning 'Ruby', the car itself, by discovering the number-plate hidden with the story's pages.
Although, as with all Thompson's work, there is plenty to scour and explore, it felt as if the story really was stretched to fit a marketing idea. At the time I am sure that there were a few other picturebooks doing something similar.
In this picturebook, a small family of gnome-like characters stumble into a picnic basket attached to Ruby with the youngest trapped inside. Together, the family try to get him out before the human's return. Readers will enjoy all the little details on the pages but that's about it. ...more
'A straightforward (and laugh-out-loud) guide to saying you're sorry', 'How to Apologise' presents, in picturebook format, a series of scenarios in wh'A straightforward (and laugh-out-loud) guide to saying you're sorry', 'How to Apologise' presents, in picturebook format, a series of scenarios in which some animal, somewhere, makes a mistake. Whether it's a bunch of meerkats playing 'pin the tail on the donkey' on the side of a rhino or a huge elephant on his mobile phone, bumping his car into those of a mouse's in front. LaRochelle and Wohnoutka present us with moments in our lives where saying sorry could go a long way to easing conflict and problems.
Written in a humorously didactic way, with a soft sense of gravitas, LaRochelle tells us why it's important to apologise, even in situations when it might not feel fair or right. I did chuckle in the 'Not Sincere/Sincere' vignettes and how the second half of the book saw the power in resolutions but I don't know how well the suggestions and discussion would work here in the UK. I also felt the anthropomorphic nature of the animals added to the humour a lot, using real children in similarly humorous situations may have brought the reality and the moments closer to home.
I read this in one sitting with my boys (6 & 8). They asked that I keep going as they found Bumble & Snug to be the best of companions. Bright coloursI read this in one sitting with my boys (6 & 8). They asked that I keep going as they found Bumble & Snug to be the best of companions. Bright colours and a range of spreads find themselves populated with tens of little bugbops (simple-shaped monsters that have been cleverly crafted so that 'anyone' could draw their own) who travel happily around Bugbopolis.
The story is a simple quest in which Bumble & Snug inadvertently take some pirates' treasure and spend it only to find that pirates very much want and need it back. Instead of swashbuckling antics and high swordery, all of the little bugpops work in unison to try and right wrongs and the whole problem is peacefully resolved. Subtle, implicit messages here about listening and working together abound.
My boys particularly adored Bumble who is full of beans and able to change shape at will. Both boys adored the story so much that they spent the following evenings creating and drawing their own bugpops (thanks to a useful how-to guide at the back of the graphic novel). Wonderful work from Bradley and a perfect introduction to graphic novels for the very young and those young at heart. ...more
A delightful nod to B.B.'s The Little Grey Men, the story is set in our time within a far more suburban landscape. Three Hidden Folk, perhaps the lastA delightful nod to B.B.'s The Little Grey Men, the story is set in our time within a far more suburban landscape. Three Hidden Folk, perhaps the last of their kind, grow concerned when they find that one of their number is slowly disappearing. To find out why they must leave the comfort of their hidden home and delve deep into the Hive (a human city-space) to track down Robin Goodfellow - the very first of their kind.
Positively soaking in flora and fauna with a host of wonderful creatures to guide the Hidden Folk on their way, Harrison presents a call to arms for the young reader to embrace the natural world whatever it looks like and wherever it may be found. There were times when I thought that the narrator trod close to 'telling' rather than 'showing' but the story, characters and sense of place were more than enough to find a balance between that sense of an invitation rather than being a guide who pointed ideologies out to the young reader.
Glad to hear that there is a sequel on the way and it should be stated that it was Lauren O'Hara's cover illustration that made me pick it up. ...more
It's a busy day at the local park. There's a band playing, dogs barking and chasing each other and people busying about. No one seems to notice the usIt's a busy day at the local park. There's a band playing, dogs barking and chasing each other and people busying about. No one seems to notice the usually quiet Mrs. Cake who has gone to a lot of trouble to put on a fantastic spread. Maybe the grey-blue cat and a young child could lend a hand?
Holding hands, the young child who appreciates Mrs. Cake's effort, guides her around the park to tell all the others what she has done but they cannot get heard. The Dads are too busy playing with rubber ducks, the Mums are too busy chatting to one another and the older children are impossible to keep up with. It's exhausting not getting heard.
But not to worry, the cat has a cunning plan and, in the end, the community all gather to applaud Mrs. Cake's achievements. There's nothing like cake to bring us all together.
Milner's illustrations are borderline surreal in a welcome way. People are on the fringe of seeming distance and unreal except for Mrs. Cake and the child who almost always face us. Even the landscape feels two dimensional as if this is a 'stage' for some comtemplation. Milner tells us at the back, that the inspiration for the book was about politicians not listening to the public and those who shout loudest often get heard the most. It's very clever. Will children get it? Yes, of course. They'll get it in a way that makes sense to them with Milner leaving plenty of gaps for us to bring our own interpretations. It's challenging but in all the right ways. ...more
I had been wanting to get my hands on this book for ages and now that it has been republished (and is affordable) I picked up a copy. Three children, I had been wanting to get my hands on this book for ages and now that it has been republished (and is affordable) I picked up a copy. Three children, three stories shared by a giant panda who floats into the garden on an umbrella. Each story that the siblings hear is based upon older Zen stories from Japan in a very similar format to The Story Giant. Each story is there to help guide each child through a road that will help them better appreciate their place in the world around them
Stillwater the panda has come to stay outside the children's home. Although the children do not know why he has arrived, and the child reader may feel the same, the adult reader can acknowledge that each child is about to learn something around patience, understanding and our place in their universe. Each child meets with the panda on a different day and, through a retelling of a fable, Panda invites them to look inward at themselves inviting reflection and change.
Although the meaning may be lost on some readers, I would argue that it's there for the taking when they are ready. With beautiful watercolour illustrations offered throughout, this is a beautiful picture book, perfectly tempered. ...more
A much quicker read than The Witch Boy with an author/illustrator who just knows their story so well that it flows off the pages. Whilst Aster has finA much quicker read than The Witch Boy with an author/illustrator who just knows their story so well that it flows off the pages. Whilst Aster has finally won his case to learn witchcraft with the girls in his family, a new girl arrives in town. Her name is Ariel and being a foster child, she has found it difficult settling down anywhere. When she meets Aster's best friend, Charlie, a glimmer of hope appears but what cost comes with trusting someone and what happens to the dark magic within her when she feels betrayed?
The pace in this second instalment was great and Ariel, as a character, makes for an interesting mix to the group. Knox Ostertag is working hard to cover a range of issues in this book around identity & the sense of being a social outcast. Lots of readers heading into KS3 will begin to identify with Ariel and those that do can take solace from the fact that she is comforted and cared for by friends who are understanding and patient too. A solid addition to the series. ...more
Part of Tiny Owl's 'Fair Shares' series, this picturebook introduces young readers to the idea around celebrate each other's uniqueness and the importPart of Tiny Owl's 'Fair Shares' series, this picturebook introduces young readers to the idea around celebrate each other's uniqueness and the importance of teamwork. When Bird stumbles across a delicious strawberry they find that other friends of theirs would like it too. In order to see who should have it, a race is set to find out who is 'the best'. What starts out as a competition becomes a wonderful collaboration and the friends learn something valuable and companionship and working together. A lovely little picturebook that invites discussion around valuing one another. ...more
Col has been evacuated from his London borough home; safe from the bombs and the constant, looming presence of the Nazi invasion. Trapped in the home Col has been evacuated from his London borough home; safe from the bombs and the constant, looming presence of the Nazi invasion. Trapped in the home of his draconic aunt, he pines for his older sister who has remained in the family home to support those who need help in the city. Ever since their father died they have needed one another for support so when Col's sister breaks her Christmas promise to meet up in the family cottage not too far from their aunt's, he is heartbroken and decides to run away.
Meanwhile, a different darkness looms over the land. A fey evil rots the landscape and it is breaking the divide between the magical world and reality. Unknowingly, Col finds that he is not only called to save his sister from the inevitable bombing of London but also that a group of imaginary friends he had closed the door to years ago, have resurfaced and need his help more than ever.
Montgomery weaves together a dizzyingly complex set of characters and plots here with deftness and masterful skill. Not content to just have a voyage and return story at a surface level, that author plays with landscape and history, magic and truthful reality and a host of deeply memorable characters. It is as epic as it is enjoyable and children will be utterly charmed by it.
Although much of the book steers away from the centrality of the war, much like Goodnight Mr Tom, it is clear that the author has spent copious amounts of time ensuring that this is factually as accurate as possible whilst still keeping it in the realms of fantasy too.
Readers are going to love Col's little band of make-believe helpers and the journey he takes too. Magical. ...more
An adventure book riding between liminal spaces - of storms and mountains, new homes and old and magic and myth, Storm Hound follows the story of StorAn adventure book riding between liminal spaces - of storms and mountains, new homes and old and magic and myth, Storm Hound follows the story of Storm, a young hound of Odin's wild hunt that is dragged from the skies and forced into the mortal realm.
Confused, out of sync with the real world, he finds himself in the hands of Jess a young girl who has just started Secondary school after her parents divorced. She and her brother have moved from London to the sleepy back end of Wales & the small puppy (Storm) with unlimited magic power is adopted into the family.
What Jess doesn't know is that lots of strange, mystical people would love to get their hands on Jess' new puppy to either kill it or siphon is magicks for their own gain. Can Jess find it within herself to embrace the new changes in her life and take a step towards a brighter future?
A story of friendship and being loyal to your beliefs, Storm Hound is a fun, exciting read that touches on divorce and the complex discomforts that come with children being separated from a parent. Storm makes for a great little character as do the antagonists throughout. It would make for a super class read for Year 3+ ...more
With prolific writer, Napoli, along for the ride, Wiesner turns his hands to the graphic novel format and succeeds in spades. Riffing on the Anderson With prolific writer, Napoli, along for the ride, Wiesner turns his hands to the graphic novel format and succeeds in spades. Riffing on the Anderson fairy tale, it is a story of self-discovery and rite of passage that sees a young mermaid seeks to find the truth to her past. In doing so she discovers the adult world in which she is trapped is full of lies and deception for the gain of others; it is for her to take charge and seek her own destiny.
Set within a sea-front aquarium that is a converted, three-storey building (I loved this concept), a man claiming to be Neptune, king of the oceans, calls the general public to his odd and magical setting. There, visitors get to see sharks and starfish as well as submerged bedrooms and schools of fish. This is the world of an unnamed young girl who must show brief glimpses of herself to the captive audience but never reveal her full self and risk of being taken away. When one inquisitive girl stays behind at the end of the show and discovers her, the mermaid's life changes forever.
With a water-tight plot and riffing on male/parental domination and control, Fish Girl is a fascinating insight into retellings of fairytales through the graphic novel format. Wiesner's eye for pace and perspective throughout is excellent and I enjoyed reading it in a single sitting. Would be a fascinating read for Y5+ ...more
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