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Gary Paulsen Obituaries

November 8, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

filmed in 2010

Gary Paulsen died suddenly in the middle of October. He was in his early 80s. For reasons that I’m unable to understand, I did not become aware of his death (despite being online every day) until this past weekend. The following obituaries will be added to, as major ones appear. His memoir, Gone To The Woods, was an ACHUKA Book of the Day at the start of the year.

Guardian

Independent

LA Times

New York Times

Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

Washington Post

 

from the Publishers Weekly obit.:
David Levithan, publisher and editorial director at Scholastic, provided a favorite anecdote: “The very first time in my Scholastic career I was interviewed by the New York Times, I spent most of my time raving about Gary Paulsen’s Soldier’s Heart, which is not a Scholastic book. I just loved it so much that I had to talk about it. When we repackaged his backlist here, I happily stepped in and found that when I had a question for him, I often got a response from his agent like, ‘I’m afraid he’s away on a boat for a few weeks. There’s no way to get in touch with him.’ Which felt right. Finally, at one loud, crowded convention dinner, he came up to me out of the blue, said, ‘My agent told me I should meet you,’ then led me out to a balcony where we could talk. It’s something I’ll always remember. I feel generations of readers learned from Gary’s books how their lives intersect and interact both with the natural world and the tides of history. Many were not published by Scholastic, but our company got them into the hands of millions of kids through our book clubs and book fairs, where he’s been a favorite author for decades, and will be for many decades to come.”

quoted in the LA Times obit.:
“The need to write hit me like a brick. I had a career and a family and a house and a retirement plan and I did all the things that responsible grown-ups do until suddenly, irrevocably, I knew had to write,” he explained in the introduction to the “Hatchet” anniversary edition. “I edited a grubby men’s magazine and, every night, I slaved over short stories and articles for two editors who ripped me to shreds every morning.

“They didn’t leave a single sentence unscathed, but they taught me to write clean and fast. And the dance with words gave me a joy and a purpose I had been looking for my entire life.”

From a recommended New York Times author profile back in 2006:
Mr. Paulsen is an unapologetic misanthrope, children excepted. “I don’t have anything against individuals,” he says. “But the species is a mess.”

Filed Under: Blog, Books Tagged With: obits, obituaries, obituary

Jerry Pinkney Obituaries

October 25, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

Jerry Pinkney, US book illustrator, as died aged 81.

Here are links to the obituaries:

New York Times

Washington Post

Los Angeles Times

Publishers Weekly

Filed Under: Blog, Books Tagged With: illustrator, obits, obituaries

2021 CLIPPA Poetry Award Winner

October 11, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

Michael Rosen is the winner of the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children, CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Poetry Award). He received the award, announced at lunchtime today, for his collection On the Move, Poems About Migration, (an ACHUKA Book of the Day on 8 Oct 2020), published by Walker Books and illustrated by Quentin Blake.

On the Move explores Michael Rosen’s own past, as the son of a Polish-Jewish family growing up in London, and includes poems about his “missing” relatives, who lost their lives in the Holocaust. After these very personal poems, the book’s last section, called On the Move Again, connects his experiences with migration around the world to explain that we are all, always, on the move.

Allie Esiri, chair of the judges, anthologist of the bestselling A Poem for Every Day of the Year series, says, “The very best poems are rockets which can propel us to worlds — real and imagined — that are different from our own, and maps which can guide us to better understand the emotional, social, or political terrain around us. The shortlist for this year’s CLiPPA was extremely strong, showcasing outstanding poetry, but the judges were unanimous in choosing On the Move as the winner for theway in which it situates us, with striking immediacy, within Michael Rosen’s own personal recollections of migration, and invites us to consider the plight of others forced to be on the move today. In a period in which migration is continuously reshaping our ideas of belonging, heritage and identity, this book serves as a timely — and timeless —reminder of our kinship with our fellow humans of all backgrounds for readers of all ages.”

Fellow judge, Julie Blake, co-founder and Director of Poetry By Heart said, “These elegantly understated poems speak of the universal experience of migration that is to be found in every family’s history. Quentin Blake’s illustrations shimmer and haunt as much as the words, image and text connected and disconnected in a way that perfectly evokes the connections and disconnections of migration. This is a book to bring adults and children together to ask, “What’s my history, where have I come from?”

Michael Rosen has won the CLiPPA once before—in 2016, for A Great Big Cuddle, also published by Walker Books and illustrated by Chris Riddell—when the award was shared with Sarah Crossan for One (Bloomsbury). This year’s win comes after a life-changing eighteen months for Rosen, who fell ill with Covid-19 in March 2020, spending two months in a medically induced coma. He was just beginning his recovery when On the Move was published last October. His experiences are described for children in a forthcoming picture book, Sticky McStickstick (Walker Books) in which he describes having to learn to walk again.

His win was revealed today, Monday 11October, in a live Poetry Show, part of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival and introduced by Allie Esiri and CLiPPA judge, poet Zaro Weil, winner of the 2020 CLiPPA.

Louise Johns-Shepherd, Chief Executive at CLPE said, “Poetry for children is booming. It was another record year for submissions and the 2021 shortlist is outstanding. Here are five books that in their different ways show children just what poetry can do, bringing both joy and understanding. The direct involvement of children is central to the CLiPPA and it is inspiring to see more and more schools participating in our Shadowing Scheme. We were extremely moved that Michael took part in the announcement of the shortlist at the Poetry By Heart ceremony at The Globe, performing in front of a live audience for the first time since falling ill and that he is here today to perform live at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Michael has done so much to inspire children with a love of words and poetry and On the Move is a collection that will be read and shared for many, many years to come.”

Michael Rosen receives a trophy and a cheque for £1000. As part of the prize he will also be recorded for the prestigious National Poetry Archive.

The CLiPPA is delivered in partnership with the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and
supported by Arts Council England.

Filed Under: Blog, Books Tagged With: awards, prizes

Torn Apart – The Partition of India, 1947 by Swapna Haddow

September 29, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 29 Sep 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“This book tells an important story in an accessible way, describing a key event in world history with which many children in UK will have direct family links. It may lead to a broader look at the impact of British Imperialism and its aftermath and could also lead to consideration of the ways people with different backgrounds and beliefs still have much in common.” BfK 5 Star review

It’s October 1947 and two young boys find themselves thrown together during the dramatic changes of Partition. As the new India and Pakistan are born, can the friendship between them rise above the tensions between the two countries? When the British announced they would be leaving India, a feeling of hope bubbled up in towns and villages across the country – they would be free to rule themselves at last! But deciding to split the country in two – Partition – would soon mean so much more.

An exhilarating account of the largest movement of people in history, seen from both sides.

So proud my debut historical fiction is making its way into the world 💚
Thank you to @twodots_studio & @jgregorydesign for this stunning cover and to #CharlieWilson, @GolightlyEliza, @AitchLove, @FelicityTrew for your endless support. Out 5 Aug from your local indie bookshop 📚 pic.twitter.com/ZGkd6BTRqX

— Swapna Haddow (@SwapnaHaddow) July 26, 2021

Filed Under: Blog, BookOfTheDay, Books, Fiction Tagged With: dual-narrative, historical, India, Pakistan, partition

Harold Snipperpot’s Best Disaster Ever by Beatrice Alemagna

September 28, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment


ACHUKA Book of the Day Tue 28 Sep 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Now put in paperback. But the hardback is still available.

A heart-warming story of a lonely boy named Harold Snipperpot and his amazing birthday party, full of surprises and magical moments galore.

Beatrice Alemagna is a world-renowned author and illustrator of children’s books. She is the winner of the 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty and the 2010 Andersen Prize for illustrator of the year, among other awards.

example spread

Filed Under: Blog, BookOfTheDay, Books, Illustrated

UKLA 2022 Awards Longlists

September 27, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

Longlist 3-6+ 

Books Make Good Pets written by John Agard, illustrated by Momoko Abe, (Orchard)

It’s Only Stanley written and illustrated by Jon Agee (Scallywag Press)

Fred Gets Dressed written and illustrated by Peter Brown (Templar)

Clean Up! written by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dap Adeola (Puffin)

The Little Girl Who Was Afraid of Everything written and illustrated by Aurora Cacciapuoti (Tate Publishing)

What Happened to You?  Written by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George (Faber)

Luna Loves Art written by Joseph Coehlo illustrated by Fiona Lumbers (Andersen Press)

Stuck Inside written by Sally Anne Garland, (Sunbird Books)

Shu-Lin’s Grandpa written by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Yu Rong (Otter-Barry Books)

Too Much Stuff written and illustrated by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots)

Who’s Your Real Mum? Written by Bernadette Green illustrated by Anna Zobel, (Scribe)

What We’ll Build written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins)

The Little War Cat written by Hiba Noor Khan, illustrated by Laura Chamberlain (Macmillan)

Freedom We Sing written by Amyra León and illustrated by Molly Mendoza, (Flying Eye)

Pip and Egg written by Alex Latimer, illustrated by David Litchfield (Scholastic) 

Taking Time written and illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher, Jo (Lantana Publishing)

I’m (Almost) Always Kind written by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Asa Gilland (Usborne)

The Invisible written and illustrated by Tom Percival (Simon & Schuster)

Arlo the Lion Who Could Not Sleep written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner, Catherine (Macmillan)

Barbara Throws a Wobbler written and illustrated by Nadia Shireen, (Puffin)

The Capybaras written and illustrated by Alfredo Soderguit, translated by Elisa Amado (Greystone Kids)

Where is the Dragon? written and illustrated by Leo Timmers, translated by James Brown (Gecko Press)

I Can Catch a Monster written and illustrated by Bethan Woolvin (Two Hoots)

 

Longlist 7-10+ 

Brand New Boy written by David Almond illustrated by Marta Altes (Walker Books)

October, October written by Katya Balen (Bloomsbury)

I Am Every Good Thing written by Derek Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C James, (Farshore)

Stars With Flaming Tails written by Valerie Bloom, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max  (Otter-Barry Books)

Noah’s Gold written by Frank Cottrell Boyce illustrated by Steven Lenton, (Macmillan)

The Elephant written by Peter Carnavas (Pushkin Press)

Moo written by Sharon Creech (Guppy Books)

The Soup Movement written by Ben Davies (OUP)

Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow written by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat (Simon & Schuster)

The Barnabus Project written and illustrated by Eric, Terry and Devin Fan (Frances Lincoln)

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk written by Natasha Farrant (Faber) 

When Life Gives You Mangoes written by Kereen Getten (Pushkin Press) 

A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth written by Francesca Gibbons, illustrated by Chris Riddell (HarperCollins)

When Stars are Scattered written by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Iman Geddy (Faber)

Across the Risen Sea written by Bren MacDibble (Old Barn Books)

A Kind of Spark written by Elle McNicholl (Knights Of)

Lori and Max and the Book Thieves written by Catherine O’Flynn (Firefly Press)

The Valley of the Lost Secrets written by Lesley Parr (Bloomsbury)

The Incredible Record Smashers written by Jenny           Pearson, illustrated by Erica Salcedo (Usborne)

How to Save the World with a Chicken and an Egg written by Emma Shevah (Chicken House)

Starboard  written by Nicola Skinner(HarperCollins)

Front Desk   written by Kelly Yang (Knights Of)

 

Longlist 11- 14+ 

No Country  written by Joe Brady, illustrated by Patrice Aggs (David Fickling Books)

The Short Knife written by Elen           Caldecott (Andersen Press)

We Were Wolves written and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Andersen Press)

The Girl Who Became a Tree written by Jospeh Coehlo illustrated by Kate Millner (Otter-Barry Books)

Cardboard Cowboys written by Brian Conaghan (Bloomsbury)

The Rules written by Tracey Darnton (Little Tiger)

Boy, Everywhere written by A.M Dassu (Old Barn Books)

Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town written by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock, (Faber)

When the World Was Ours written by Liz Kessler (Simon & Schuster)

The Wolf Road written by Richard Lambert (Everything With Words)

The Supreme Lie written by Geraldine McCaughrean (Usborne)

I Am the Minotaur  written by Anthony McGowan (OUP)

The Swallow’s Flight written by Hilary  McKay (Macmillan)

The Silent Stars Go By written by Sally Nicholls (Andersen Press)

After the War: from Auschwitz to Ambleside          written by Tom Palmer (Barrington Stoke)

The Great Godden written by Meg Rosoff (Bloomsbury)

The Acrobats of Agra written by Robin Scott- Elliot (Everything With Words)

Tsunami Girl written by Julian Sedgwick, illustrated by Chie Kutsuwada,(Guppy Books)

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne written by Jonathan Stroud (Walker Books)

Cane Warriors written by Alex Wheatle (Andersen Press) 

Talking to Alaska written by Anna Woltz, translated by Laura Watkinson     (Rock the Boat)

Punching The Air written by Ibi Zoboi and  Yusef Salaam (HarperCollins)

 

Longlist Information Books 3-14+ 

Fourteen Wolves written by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Jenni Desmond (Bloomsbury)

How Do Bridges Work?   Written and illustrated by Roman Belyaev (bsmall publishing)

Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia          edited by Christopher Lloyd, illustrated by Mark Ruffle and Jack Tite (Brittanica Books)

I am not a Label written by Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Lauren Baldo (Wide Eyed Editions)

Escape- One Day We Had to Run written by Ming & Wah Chen, illustrated by Carmen Vela (Lantana Publishing)

What’s the T? written by Juno Dawson, illustrated by Soofiya (Wren & Rook)

Making A Baby: An Inclusive Guide to How Every Family Begins written by Rachel Greener illustrated by Clare Owen (Nosy Crow)

Modern Art Explorer written by Alica Harman illustrated by Serge Bloch (Thames and Hudson)

The Black Friend written by Frederick       Joseph (Walker Books)

Kay’s Anatomy written by Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Paker (Puffin) 

Fashion Conscious written by Sarah Klymkiw illustrated by Kim Hankinson, (Red Shed)

The Bird Within Me written and illustrated by Sarah Lundberg, translated by B.J. Epstein (Book Island)

Question Everything written by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky  Barker, (bsmall publishing)

Who Makes a Forest written by Sally Nicholls, illustrated by Carolina Rabei (Andersen Press)

Black and British- a short essential history written by David Olusuga (Macmillan)

Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species written by Ana Pêgo & Isabel Minhós Martins, illustrated by Bernardo P Carvalho, translated by Jane Springer (Greystone Kids)

Climate Crisis for Beginners written by Andy Prentice and Eddie Reynolds, illustrated by El Primo (Usborne)

Fossils from Lost Worlds written and illustrated by Hélène Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt, translated by Daniel Hahn (Gecko Press)

The Great Barrier Reef written by Helen Scales, illustrated by Lisk Feng (Flying Eye)

Interview With a Tiger: And Other Clawed Beasts Too written by Amy Seed, illustrated by Nick East (Welbeck Childrens)

Dosh written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Adam Hayes (Wren & Rook)

Ultimate Gamer- Career Mode written by Craig Steele illustrated by Berat Pekmezci (Kingfisher)

Fox: A Circle of Life Story written by Isabel Thomas illustrated by Daniel Egnéus  (Bloomsbury)

Nano  written by Dr Jess Wade illustrated by Melissa Castrillon (Walker Books)

Filed Under: Blog, Books Tagged With: awards, linguists, prizes

Pony by R. J. Palacio

September 27, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 27 Sep 2021
Times Children’s Book of the Week 2 Oct 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“Palacio’s…  characters are simultaneously crusty and charming in their altruistic bravado, and the blend of rambling western, scientific, and paranormal elements mixed with lingering questions about Silas’s father’s past will appeal to many as the trio underscores how even unlikely friendships can make for strong bonds. Images made from daguerreotypes serve as chapter heads.” Publishers Weekly

When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool . . . who happens to be a ghost. But then a mysterious pony shows up at his door, and Silas knows what he has to do. So begins a perilous journey to find his father – a journey that will connect him with his past, his future, and the unknowable world around him.

Author Palacio, best-known for the multi-million-selling Wonder, told The Bookseller:  “Pony has been with me for quite a while, partly because it took me a while to figure out how to tell an epic tale in only 60,000 words, but mostly because it’s a very personal story for me. From the time I was very young, my greatest fear had always been that I’d somehow be left alone. It’s not an uncommon childhood fear, and this novel is about facing that fear, but it’s also about realising that the connections we make in our lifetimes never really end. So, yes, it’s a story of resilience and courage, an adventure story in the most classic of ways, but for me, at its core, it’s about love.”

Filed Under: Blog, BookOfTheDay, Books, Fiction Tagged With: historical, MG, middle-grade

Winner Of Klaus Flugge Prize 2021

September 23, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

© Klaus Flugge Prize

Things are going well for Flavia Z. Drago. A week ago she discovered her book Gustavo The Shy Ghost was No. 1 on the New York Times Children’s Bestseller list and now she has won the UK’s 2021 Klaus Flugge Prize for the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration.  Gustavo the Shy Ghost (Walker Books) is about a little ghost who, despite being so shy he is invisible to the other monsters, eventually finds a way to make friends.

Gustavo The Shy Ghost is just out in paperback but ACHUKA thinks picture books are always best in hardback.

Flavia was born and raised in Mexico City and her book takes inspiration from her favourite Mexican tradition, The Day of the Dead celebrations, particularly in its bright pink and orange palette. Sharp-eyed readers will spot references to other influences on Flavia, including horror films and books, and The Smiths.

She says that she sees herself in little Gustavo. “When I started work on the book, I didn’t notice how much I had in common with Gustavo, but as I got to understand him, I realised that telling this story was important for me because I wanted to show that being shy doesn’t mean that you don’t enjoy the company of people – or in this case, monsters! – it just means that you find it difficult to connect with others. Some of the things that happen to Gustavo are based on my own experiences. When I was in kindergarten – just like Gustavo – I sat by myself during lunch breaks, watching children play while being amazed by the fact that they seemed to be completely happy to talk and play with each other. The main difference between Gustavo and me, is that, sadly I cannot do the ghostly things like walking through walls, making objects fly, glowing in the dark or playing the violin. However, drawing became a way in which I could connect with others. In a sense our love for art has been the thing helping us both to connect with others.”

The  judges loved the balance of fun and fright in the book, and admired Flavia’s superb control of pace and the composition of her illustrations. The winner of the 2020 prize, Eva Eland said: “There is so much to admire and enjoy in Flavia’s book. From the carefully selected colour palette of muted tones combined with bright orange and pink, to the myriad little details in the illustrations and her endearing and fun characters. Flavia has great control of many different facets of illustration and storytelling, including pacing, colour and a strong sense of design. She also has great drawing skills. She delivers a powerful and universal story, whilst maintaining a light-heartedness and a playful touch that will speak to many little children.” Fellow judge, Posy Simmonds summed up, “I love Gustavo, the Shy Ghost: it’s fresh, witty, well-paced and a visual treat.”

ACHUKA loves it too and we cannot wait for Flavia’s next picture book.
Check out this recent Meet An Illustrator feature:
https://www.achuka.co.uk/blog/meet-an-illustrator-28-flavia-z-drago/

The shortlist for the Klaus Flugge Prize was announced at midday on Wednesday 19 May). Established in 2016, the prize was set up to honour Klaus Flugge, founder of Andersen Press and an extremely influential figure in children’s picture books. It is awarded to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration.

From a longlist of twenty picture books by debut illustrators, the panel of judges comprising award-winning illustrator Posy Simmonds, Eva Eland (2020 Klaus Flugge Prize winner), Darryl Clifton (Illustration Programme Director at Camberwell College of Arts), Fleur Sinclair (owner of Sevenoaks Bookshop) and Mat Tobin of Oxford Brookes University, shortlisted  five titles.

Child of Galaxies Charlotte Ager, written by Blake Nuto, editor Emily Ball, art director Lilly Gottwald (Flying Eye Books)

While You’re Sleeping John Broadley, written by Mick Jackson, editor Neil Dunnicliffe, designer Sarah Crookes (Pavilion) [An ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Oct 2020]

Gustavo the Shy Ghost Flavia Z Drago, editors Tanya Rosie and Maria Tunney, art Director Anne-Louise Jones (Walker Books)

I’m Sticking with You Steve Small, written by Smriti Halls editor Helen Mackenzie Smith, designer Jane Buckley (Simon and Schuster) [An ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 May 2020]

My Red Hat Rachel Stubbs, editor Denise Johnstone-Burt, designer Charlie Moyler (Walker Books)

THE ILLUSTRATORS

Charlotte Ager graduated from Kingston University with a BA in Illustration Animation in 2017. She is drawn to the poetry in everyday experience and the ways in which people can create narrative in spaces, both real and imagined. She loves that drawing has the ability to be moving and soft but also utterly silly. Originally from the Isle of Wight, she now lives in London.
https://www.instagram.com/charlotte.ager/

John Broadley has been active in illustration and small press publishing since the mid 1990s. He works mostly in pen and ink and collage. His work has recently been used to decorate the interiors, menus and branding for Quo Vadis restaurant Soho. He has designed a range of packaging and ceramics for the Fine Cheese Company and also wine labels for Gabb Family, Berry Bros & Rudd, and Fortnum & Mason. John has illustrated several food and historically themed books, as well as many magazines.
https://www.instagram.com/john.broadley.77/

Flavia Z. Drago was born and raised in Mexico City. As a child, she wanted to be a mermaid. When that didn’t happen, she began her career as a graphic designer and a children’s book illustrator. She has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art and was shortlisted for the 2018 Sebastian Walker Award. She loves colours, textures, and shapes and enjoys creating them with different materials and a bit of digital sorcery. She lives between the UK and Mexico.
https://www.instagram.com/flavia_zdrago/

Steve Small has worked in animation for over thirty years as a director, designer, and animator and was BAFTA nominated for his animated sequences for the BBC drama Black Earth Rising. The work has varied from working on Disney features to designing and directing shorts, TV series, and commercials and he created the hugely successful Mr Bean animated series. Steve lives in London.
https://www.instagram.com/stevesmalluk/

Rachel Stubbs is a London-based illustrator who loves observing human behaviour and interaction. After studying illustration in Falmouth, Cornwall, she went on to work as a freelance illustrator before joining the Cambridge MA in children’s picture books to refresh her creative practice. Here she rediscovered the joy of drawing from life in her sketchbook, which has now become the foundation of all her work. Upon graduating from the MA, Rachel was awarded the Sebastian Walker Award for Illustration.
https://www.instagram.com/rachelstubbs_/

Filed Under: Blog, Books Tagged With: awards, prizes

SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles by Michael Catchpool ill. Emma Proctor

September 23, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 23 Sep 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Lantana

SuperJoe is convinced he doesn’t need cuddles from his mum. He flies around the neighbourhood rescuing people from escaped tigers, runaway trains and raging rivers, all while battling his nemesis the Grey Shadow. Naturally, he refuses all cuddles. Until one night, when he can’t sleep…

If you have trouble finding this book, you can order direct from the publisher (link above).

Filed Under: Blog, BookOfTheDay, Books, Illustrated

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker ill. Jon Klassen

September 22, 2021 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 22 Sep 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“A deftly nuanced look at the fragility and strength of the human heart.” KIRKUS

Recommended: The author talks to Nikki Gamble about why she felt compelled to write a sequel and the things that are important to her in the stories:
https://www.exploringchildrensliterature.uk/podcast/sara-pennypacker/

The long-awaited sequel to Pax (2017), gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling and with stunning illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator Jon Klassen.

It’s been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives. Pax must protect his litter of kits in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter, orphaned after the war, has left his adopted home and joined the Water Warriors, a group determined to heal the land from the scars of the war.

When one of Pax’s kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing – and each other.

A breathtaking novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.

 

Filed Under: Blog, BookOfTheDay, Books, Fiction Tagged With: fox

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