One Button Benny and the Dinosaur Dilemma
By Alan Windram and Chloe Holwill-Hunter I was delighted to discover One Button Benny a few years ago. Me and my son both agreed it was just the kind of quirky, inventive robot and space story that my son would have loved when he was in reception, year 1 and year 2. So I was excited to be asked to join the blog four for the third picture book
Blog: 5 Fantastic Non-Fiction Books About Birds
One Little Egg: Exploring Nature for Curious Kids By Becky Davies and Charlotte Pepper A great non-fiction book for KS1 and EYFS, in a sturdy board book format. Plenty to interest older kids too. This intuitive lift the flap non-fiction book is a wonderful introduction to birds and exploring outdoors which will really appeal to young children. I love the original start to this book, with a page on
Picture book project part 1: Valentine’s Guest House,
Why I am interested in picture books to read aloud to EYFS, year 1 and year 2 I have been an independent children’s bookseller for 7+ years and a mum for 14 years. I passionately believe in the power of pictures to help children learn about themselves and others. For children in KS1 and EYFS I think we sometimes underestimate the value of ‘read aloud’ and ‘story-time’ as an activity
Non-fiction review: Prehistoric World (Kallie Moore) and That’s Life (Mike Barfield)
With illustrations by Becky Thomas and Lauren Humphrey An introduction to me and my discovery of children’s non-fiction As a children’s independent bookseller I have loved building up my knowledge of non-fiction texts. In the past 5+ years I’ve supported teachers, teaching assistants, and librarians to to find books they need to support their curriculum I owe a debt of gratitude to a number of people in bookish Twitter without
Human Kindness and Because of You John Lewis
What always amazes me about illustrated children’s books is their capacity to find me when I need them most. I needed these books this week. Books remind you of the human capacity to be kind to each other, to help each other and how across history people and continents people have always taken a stand for something they believe in or care about. Human Kindness by John Francis
Six picture books to help children explore grief, loss and war
It can be hard for children to process their feelings when they lose a loved one or experience a significant change in their lives that leads to the loss of something important. Empathy picture books can help children and their grown-ups’s explore, understand, and process their feelings. The very best picture books give the reader visual clues, such as where a character is positioned on the page or the use
Teacher Review of Amara and the Bats
Amara and Bats is written and illustrated by Emma Reynolds There are some great picture books which will help build our understanding of others AND how to care for our environment. Big thanks to Vicky a year 4 teacher for this review. Amara loves bats – like really really loves bats. She loves their cute little faces, their wings and every fact she can find. She regularly visits her local
The Rewilders by Lindsay Littleson
The Rewilders is an exciting middle grade novel set in the Scottish Highlands. It’s a heartfelt and thoughtful story about two children Esme and Callum. It will open up questions about re-wilding and peer pressure. Highly recommend for 9 to 12 years, who love adventure, care about environment and are looking for something a bit different. Having loved several of Lindsay Littleson’s books I was delighted to get
Five non-fiction books that should be every KS2 library.
How does Chocolate Taste on Everest? by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe Great for 6 to 12 years What an amazing book! If you want to introduce children and young people to some of the most extreme places on our planet, in an almost playful way, where they can feel like they are adventurers exploring these unique landscapes, this is the book you need. As a children’s bookseller I support a number of
Three amazing picture books exploring: personal challenges and change and transitions
All 3 picture books are absolutely gems, the kind of books you will want to keep on coming back to. At the heart of each story is a message to the reader that they can be anything they want to be, no matter what the circumstances or challenges and with opportunity and support they can overcome these difficulties. I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott and
Five books to explore: anger, fear, jealousy and friendship
In this blog I highlight some my favourite picture books and hybrid graphic novels which can help children and young people explore theirs and others feelings and emotions. With a focus on: anger, frustrations, jealousy, fear and friendship. Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen Another fantastic picture book by Nadia Shireen. Great for 3 to 12 years. Barbara’s day doesn’t get off to the best of starts. I
Fab six: exploring nature and environmental issues
Taking-Time by Jo Loring-Fisher Taking time to listen Taking time to feel Taking time to cherish you and also cherish me This illustrated poem encourages the reader to pause and notice the natural world around them. Published by Lantana publishing, an indie publisher with an excellent reputation for diverse books. Each double page spread has a child in a different part of the world. There is a map showing their