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A History of Music for Children by Mary Richards & David Schweitzer ill. Rose Blake

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 16 Sep 2021

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“Wide-ranging and accessible, this is a rich resource for musical exploration.” KIRKUS
“‘An amazing history of music, really brought to life by the illustrations and diverse examples!’ Alexis Taylor, Hot Chip

Following on from the success of the award-winning A History of Pictures for Children comes this introduction to the history of music that takes children on a musical journey around the world. Readers will meet along the way a diverse cast of composers, musicians and performers who all make music in different ways in a variety of different genres, from Bach to Billie Eilish, Mozart to Miriam Makeba.

Why do we make music? Which instruments make up a classical orchestra? How does music affect our brains and emotions? These are just some of the fascinating questions addressed in this book, which looks at music’s transnational and boundary-breaking qualities. All over the world and throughout time, music has been recorded and passed down through different oral traditions and forms of notation. It has always been a powerful catalyst for influencing change and connecting people. And what might the future of music hold? Exploring the technology we use to listen to and create music, the authors imagine new possibilities such as computer-generated compositions and robot musicians.

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The Bewitching of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes ill. Keith Robinson

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Sep 2021

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“Spooky storytelling at its spine-chilling best with a plot so powerful it has the ability to completely enchant you… a chain of chilling events build to a blistering conclusion with terrifying consequences – you really will be looking over your shoulder throughout.” Primary Teacher Bookshelf

Genuine ‘middle-grade’ goodness

Aveline is thrilled when she discovers that the holiday cottage her mum has rented for the summer is beside a stone circle. Thousands of years old, the local villagers refer to the ancient structure as the Witch Stones, and Aveline cannot wait to learn more about them. Then Aveline meets Hazel. Impossibly cool, mysterious yet friendly, Aveline soon falls under Hazel’s spell. In fact, Hazel is quite unlike anyone Aveline has ever met before, but she can’t work out why. Will Aveline discover the truth about Hazel, before it’s too late?

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See also The Haunting of Aveline Jones, Phil Hickes’ debut:

The distinctive jacket designs for both books are by Keith Robinson – see a recent Meet An Illustrator Q&A feature…

The Wall and the Wild by Christina Dendy ill. Katie Rewse

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 14 Sep 2021

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“In this sweet, simple story about appreciating wildness in all its forms, the protagonist is pictured as a dark-skinned, black-haired girl with hearing aids. The language is clear and easy to read, and the vibrant illustrations drive the story just as much as the words.This meditation on biodiversity makes its point with grace.” KIRKUS

In a plot of land at the edge of town, Ana grows only perfectly-sized plants and perfect-looking flowers, and throws all the irregular shoots and uneven seeds over the wall into the disorderly Wild. But as her garden gets tidier, neater and more constrained, the Wild begins to grow…

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

Freeze by Chris Priestley

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 Sep 2021

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A new Barrington Stoke title from the UK’s master of scary words and illustrations…

When Maya and her classmates are asked to write a creepy story with a winter theme, they come up with some brilliant ideas. Rising floodwaters uncover long-buried bodies and ghostly children take to the ice on a frozen canal. But as each of the stories is read out in class, Maya grows more and more uncomfortable. She features in each of her friends’ creepy tales and they start to feel a little too real. Finally, when a mysterious new girl stands up to read the last story of the day, the light outside dims and it starts to snow. The classroom starts to freeze but everyone is trapped. Can Maya stop the story before the nightmare comes true?

The Ash House by Angharad Walker ill. Olia Muza

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 10 Sep 2o021

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“Simultaneously bleak, moving, and unsettling, Walker’s immersive story slowly reveals its secrets, using tension as a lever to tip the reader deep into the Ash House’s mysteries.” Publishers Weekly
“An unexpected—and pleasing—combination of propitious and disquieting.” KIRKUS

The debut novel has been described as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children meets Lord of the Flies.

A new boy arrives at the Ash House. He can’t remember his name – or why he’s been sent there. Given the name Sol, and troubled by a mystery pain that no medicine can cure, he joins the gang of children living in the shadows of the secretive house. Soon, however, there’s more for him to face: the darkness that descends with the arrival of the Doctor…

Has touches of magical realism and dystopia. Features stunning artwork by Olia Muza.

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

Once Upon a Tune: Stories from the Orchestra by James Mayhew

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 Sep 2021

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This magnificent and generous picture book (it has 90+ pages) sets out to be the “beginning of an exciting musical journey”—you can tell that creating it has been a heartfelt project and mission for James Mayhew, who both recounts the stories and illustrates them, in a style perfectly fitted to the target audience (of children aged 5+).  I wish I had had access to a book like this when I was young, which highlights the fact that its most appreciative readers will be those who do not already listen to or have access to the six pieces of music by different composers (Dukas, Sibelius, Rimsky-Korsakov, Grieg and Rossini) that the book features. In its back pages there are useful notes from the author explaining the sources of the stories and how they inspired the musical compositions.

The book is beautifully designed, with endpapers of repeating motifs from the stories inside. The font size is large and easy on the eye. The words always stand out well from the background and, especially on the larger spreads, are cleverly co-ordinated with  the artwork. From the opening illustration (showing the Sorcerer’s towers and turrets, some composed of musical notation) to the last (the dawning of a new day at the conclusion to William Tell), the artwork is breathtakingly good.

ACHUKA cannot recommend this book highly enough.

James Mayhew is well-known for bringing live classical music, art and storytelling to families across the UK, and is sure to be actively promoting this book on his social media channels.

The stories are excitingly told and stunningly illustrated byThere are also Musical Notes where you can find out more about the stories and music, plus James’s recommended recordings to download and listen to.

Here is a Spotify playlist featuring the pieces of music from the book:

Time to Move South for Winter by Clare Helen Welsh ill. Jenny Lovlie

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Sep 2021

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A  picture book about animal migrations, illustrated by the winner of the 2019 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Jenny Lovlie.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram and see more spreads from this splendid picture book:

 

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Over the cold, mirrored waters of the Arctic, a tiny tern sets off on the world’s longest animal migration. On her way, she passes humpback whales, caribou, Canada geese, leatherback turtles and monarch butterflies, each on their own incredible journey south for winter. When the Arctic tern finally arrives, she must find a new home on the Antarctic shore . . . until it’s time to return to the northern skies once again. A beautiful, lyrical and reassuring bedtime story, perfect for young animal lovers, with a map and double-page spread of non-fiction facts at the end.

See this ACHUKA feature with the illustrator from earlier in 2021.

You Can’t Say That!: Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell ed. Leonard S. Marcus

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Sep 2021

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“A thoughtful examination of the barriers young people may face when seeking “polemical” reading material, with high crossover appeal.” Publishers Weekly
“A calm, cohesive take on a hot-button issue.” KIRKUS
“Marcus’s interviews spotlight what is at stake when books are challenged.” New York Times
“Marcus provides welcome context in each author’s work and life as a whole, demonstrating that intellectual freedom is a right that permeates all creative work.” Horn Book

In frank and wide-ranging interviews, historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus probes the experience of thirteen leading authors of books for young people.

There are 13 authors interviewed:
Matt de la Peña
Robie H. Harris
Susan Kuklin
David Levithan
Meg Medina
Lesléa Newman
Katherine Paterson
Dav Pilkey
Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Sonya Sones
R. L. Stine
Angie Thomas.

A powerful photo essay on transgender teens is called anti-religious and anti-family. A meticulously researched primer on sex education stirs up accusations of pornography and child abuse. Picture books about two mommies (or two penguin daddies) set off a hue and cry. Two hugely popular children’s series run afoul of would-be censors, one for its scatological humor, the other because it’s deemed too scary. Kids’ books that touch on race, sex, LGBTQ matters, the occult, “coarse language,” and more have found themselves under the scrutiny of those who challenge First Amendment rights.

The Hideaway by Pam Smy

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Sep 2021

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“Atmospherically heartfelt and cathartic.” KIRKUS

A new book from the creator of Thornhiill, The Hideaway tells the story of a boy, Billy McKenna, who runs away from a difficult situation at home and takes refuge in an overgrown graveyard. While hiding there he meets an elderly man who is tending the graves in preparation for a day in November when something magical is set to happen.

The book is written in two alternating narratives—in different typefaces for each—showing two perspectives on the same story. One thread tells of Billy’s experience of hiding away in the graveyard, his mixed-up feelings and emotions, and the supernatural events he eventually witnesses. The other tells of his mother’s situation at home and the police search for Billy. Covering themes of family, childhood, separation and reunion, domestic violence and doing the right thing, this is an important and beautiful book for middle grade readers right up to adults.

Billy’s story is illustrated throughout with tonal and textured black and white drawings, until the event on All Souls’ Eve, when the text gives way to a series of double page images of the supernatural happening.

Follow Pam Smy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamsmyillustrator/

 

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 3 Sep 2021

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“Gauld’s crisp, clear art, with captivating small details in backgrounds and endpapers, adds richness to the narrative. The amiable faces of each of his human and humanoid characters, along with those of birds, bugs, and forest creatures, give a feel of intimacy and familiarity. The queen appears Black and the king White, and the princess has brown skin. Gauld’s fairy tale feels both timeless and completely new; utterly fresh, yet like a story heard long ago and finally found again. Enchanting.” KIRKUS
“This invented fairy tale by cartoonist Gauld (Mooncop, for adults) offers whimsy, imaginative power, and narrative poise.” Publishers Weekly

A whimsical modern fairy tale about sibling love from internationally renowned cartoonist, Tom Gauld.

When the log princess goes missing, her brother, the little wooden robot, sets out on an epic adventure to find her. He will encounter goblins, magic puddings, a mushroom queen and a very intimidating wood pile as he seeks to bring his sister home.

Tom Gauld brings all of his wit, draghtsmanship and narrative craft to a funny, moving tale that proves that woodlice can be heroes too.

Join author Tom Gauld for a studio tour and some behind the scenes looks at his creation process:

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