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BookTrust Achievement Award Presented To David McKee

September 24, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

photo courtesy of BookTrust

David McKee has won the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the seventh creator to do so. The award was presented to David via Zoom with well over 100 guests tuning in and the panel of judges sharing their thoughts about David’s work. Their effusive commentaries were met with the reserved humity of a truly great creator.

Listening in from the south of France, and still retaining his West Country accent, David said of his books, “I just do them. I’m almost lost by the wonderful things people have said.” And added, “The blank page is wonderful because you know that blank space is full of possibility.”

The following interview was recorded a year before today’s presentation, but it’s a fitting accompaniment to the announcement for those who were unable to attend the live event.

Dog Gone by Rob Biddulph

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

A brand-new, wonderfully waggy story of one dog day afternoon, from the genius behind the #DrawWithRob phenomenon and the bestselling and award-winning Blown Away.

Every dog has his Dave (or otherwise-named human)… but on a walk in the park, the adorable Teddy the pug, loses his! And when Teddy finds himself at the shed of the TERRIBLE TROLL in the woods, he might find more than he bargained for… a new friend. Packed with delight, dogs, and even a Dave, this hilariously funny and exquisitely illustrated new book from the incredible Rob Biddulph, the creative star behind the viral and phenomenal #DrawWithRob, will have you panting for more!

Waterstones
Amazon

October, October by Katya Balen ill. Angela Harding

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 24 Sep 2020

A second children’s novel from the author of The Space We’re In.

October and her dad live in the woods. They sleep in the house Dad built for them and eat the food they grow in the vegetable patches. They know the trees and the rocks and the lake and stars like best friends. They read the books they buy in town again and again until the pages are soft and yellow – until next year’s town visit. They live in the woods and they are wild. And that’s the way it is. Until the year October turns eleven. That’s the year October rescues a baby owl. It’s the year Dad falls out of the biggest tree in their woods. The year the woman who calls herself October’s mother comes back. The year everything changes.

This book is a feast for the senses, filled with the woodsmoke smell of crisp autumn mornings and the sound of wellies squelching in river mud. It is also a beautifully presented hardback, with jacket illustration by Angel Harding.

Waterstones
Amazon

Butterfly Brain by Laura Dockrill ill. Gwen Millward

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

Everyone is always shouting at Gus to stop leaning back in his chair – but does he care? No way! Then sure enough, the chair falls, he cracks his head and has to spend all summer in bed. Out of the crack escape his memories, dreams and imagination … and a beautiful little butterfly guide. Gus must follow the butterfly to recapture all he’s lost, including that locked box he doesn’t seem to want to touch … Together they remember fish fingers, snapping bubble wrap, cracked pink soap and the leaky tap; they go wild, stomping around in the joy of imagination and happy dreams – but they can’t go any further if Gus won’t gather all of his memories. His butterfly will die unless Gus is ready to hear about his mum … A delightful and moving exploration of grief and the joy that makes us human, from the effervescent voice of Laura Dockrill, with heartwarming full-colour illustrations from Gwen Millward.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwenmillward/

Waterstones
Amazon

Just One Of Those Days by Jill Murphy

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

The Bear family, from Murphy’s classic picture book Peace at Last (published more than 40 years ago), make a triumphant return with this tale of a day where things keep going wrong.

It had been a long night… so Mr and Mrs Bear woke up late. When Mr and Mrs Bear wake up late, it’s raining outside – and Baby Bear is late for nursery. Then Mrs Bear sits on her glasses at work and Mr Bear spills his coffee! Oh dear – it seems this is just going to be one of those days! But the loveable Bear family muddle through cheerfully, and there’s even a surprise for Baby Bear when Mr Bear gets home from work.

With all the hallmarks of an instant classic, Just One of Those Days is a gentle, warm story about a family day, which parents and children everywhere will relate to – full of satisfying read-aloud repetition and rhythm – and with Jill Murphy’s instantly recognisable,cosily-lit illustrations.

Waterstones
Amazon

Pages & Co 3: Tilly And The Map Of Stories by Anna James

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

Third title in the series that celebrates all that is best in life: books, adventure, friendship – and cake.

Strange things are happening. A man comes into Pages & Co looking for a book… then suddenly can’t remember it. Tilly and her family feel like the world is changing – but can’t quite put their finger on why. Meanwhile, the Underwoods are expanding their control over bookwandering – and they still have their sights set on Tilly. Leaving the safety of the bookshop, Tilly heads to America to find the legendary Archivists and save bookwandering… … or at least, that’s the plan.

The Waterstones edition is signed by the author.

Waterstones
Amazon

Ernest Shackleton by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara ill. Olivia Holden

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

New titles in this brilliant biographical series appear with welcome rapidity (there are now, as of Sep 2020, nearly 50 of them).

When Ernest Shackleton was young, he longed for a life of adventure. After a career in the Merchant Navy, he joined a landmark expedition to try to reach the South Pole for the first time in history. Although he had to go home early, he never gave up. His own expeditions set new records for the closest anyone had ever been to the South Pole, and he is remembered now as a courageous and inspirational leader.

Waterstones
Amazon

Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard by Astrid Lindgren ill. Lauren Child

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

This gift edition illustrated by Lauren Child is a glorious celebratory tribute to the strongest girl in the world in her 75th anniversary year. A previous Pippi Longstocking gift edition, also illustrated by Lauren Child, was published in 2007 and has sold over 300,000 copies.

Pippi Longstocking lives in Villa Villekulla with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. Pippi and her friends Tommy and Annika have the best time together-going to the fair, buying ALL the sweets in the sweet shop, and getting shipwrecked for the weekend. But the fun might stop all too soon if Pippi agrees to go back to sea with her father.

The Waterstones edition is signed by Lauren Child.

Waterstones
Amazon

The Hospital Dog by Julia Donaldson ill. Sara Ogilvie

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

The bookplates (in the Waterstones edition only) are signed by both author and illustrator.
Written by the brilliant Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie, The Hospital Dog is a big-hearted tale about a very special, very brave dog.

Here is a dog, a Dalmatian called Dot,
Is she quite ordinary? NO, SHE’S NOT!

After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital. Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they’re always pleased to see her too; from a crying baby to a bored teenager – a pat, a stroke and a cuddle with Dot cheers everyone up. But the work of the hospital dog doesn’t stop there and when one of her patients is in trouble, it’s up to Dot to save the day!

Waterstones
Amazon

Minecraft Annual 2021

September 23, 2020 By achuka Leave a Comment

The official Minecraft Annual 2021 is packed with activities, build ideas and survival challenges to try out in-game.

Featuring all the latest news in the world of Minecraft, the official Minecraft annual is a must have for all Minecraft fans. Discover the latest updates and the newest games, and find out insider info directly from the Mojang team about everything that has happened in the world of Minecraft over the past year, including features about the bee update, Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Earth.

Waterstones
Amazon