children's & YA recommendations on the go
Yusuf’s older sister is getting married. He’s ready for the delicious food, the fun with his cousins and the many presents… but he’s NOT ready to take her place as the responsible one. His only option: cause some chaos and ruin the wedding. The first book in a new series from Knights Of.
Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fkhart/
ACHUKA Book of the Day 23 Dec 2020
John Masefield’s fantasy novel The Box of Delights is an enduring Christmas classic. It has a unique place in children’s literature and continues to inspire and engage modern readers with its timeless adventure of ancient magic, good vanquishing evil, and Christmas miracles. For many, watching the 1984 BBC TV adaptation is a Christmas tradition and ‘The Box of Delights Appreciation Society’ has over 2,000 members on Facebook! This visual celebration of The Box of Delights is written by a world expert on the text and showcases fascinating illustrations, photographs, letters, manuscripts and designs from Masefield’s life and across all of the story’s many manifestations – through the different editions of the book (whose illustrators included Quentin Blake), and adaptations on television, radio and stage.
Daily Telegraph feature article on The Box of Delights >>>
“A reader who skips the subtitle may not ever notice that the patient mother who encourages her child’s imaginative play and curiosity here is scientist and author Rachel Carson (1907–1964). But while readers may not come away with a greater biographical knowledge of Carson per se, Wiles’s story itself embodies a Carson quote that opens the back matter: “It is not half so important to know as to feel.” … Back matter describes the two separate incidents from Carson’s life that Wiles combined to create this story, as well as a brief description of Carson’s importance and the science behind bioluminescence.” The Horn Book
“Miyares’s dreamlike illustrations complement the lengthy poetic text, using light and dark to evoke Roger’s sense of confidence, comfort, fear, and wonder while conjuring the magic of a flashlight-lit walk to a bioluminescent ocean on a thundery night.” Publishers Weekly
“I’m not afraid!” shouts Roger when he hears thunder outside…but he is afraid. When the storm quiets, his aunt Rachel decides to take him on a walk to see the beauty of the natural world at night. Over his Godzilla pj’s goes his rain slicker; onto his feet go his monster boots, and together he and Rachel head down the rocky path to the sea. On the way they discover many marvels—a screech owl calling to its mate, ghost crabs tunneling in the sand, and most incredibly, the luminous life that lights up the water. When they find a tiny firefly who has lost its way, they bring it home and release it back into the woods. At last, Rachel tucks Roger into bed, telling him he is “nature’s brave protector.” An afterword introducing young readers to Rachel Carson, and explaining bioluminiscence, adds to the appeal of the book.
Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://instagram.com/danielmiyaresdoodles
Follow the author on Instagram: https://instagram.com/deborahwiles_
ACHUKA Book of the Day 14 Oct 2020
Winner of the 2020 CLIPPA Poetry Award
A poetry collection that captures eye-popping moments, tender observations and a thousand whimsical reflections on the sheer joy of the natural world.
Cherry Moon bubbles with excitement and creativity. Discover parades of beast-doodles, preposterous penguins, talking blossoms, razz- dazzle birds, humble fleas and host of other exotic and everyday creatures who literally jump off the page and into our hearts. Thought-provoking, sensitive and delightfully original, Cherry Moon poses big questions about life with poems and other small gatherings of words; encouraging children of every age to explore the power, enchantment and sheer wonderfulness of nature.
As winner of the CLiPPA, Zaro Weil received a trophy and a cheque for £1000 and will also be recorded for the National Poetry Archive.
For more information about the CLiPPA Award and the Schools Shadowing Scheme visit:
https://clpe.org.uk/poetryline/clippa
First in a hilarious new series…
Yasmin Shah is a quiet (VERY quiet) ten-year-old girl who is part of a big, noisy family. Levi is a rude, sassy toy llama, who talks A LOT and has come to wreak havoc in Yasmin’s life. Yasmin tries everything she can to escape Levi, but she can’t help being dragged along on his crazy antics. Every day brings a new surprise, whether that’s an erupting bin, a flying tuna fish, or a hat made from knickers. Life is never boring with Levi around – and could it be that he has a secret plan to help Yasmin find her voice?
A stylishly illustrated compendium of short biographies of over 30 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities, from past and present. Find out how iconic figures such as Stephen Hawking and Frida Kahlo overcame obstacles and paved the way for others.
“Burnell’s dreamy yet fiery tone infuses each brief biography with a sense of its subject’s refusal to be held back by the expectations of others.” The Guardian
In a small but turbulent Louisiana town, King has just lost his older brother, Khalid.
King is convinced his brother isn’t dead, that he has instead turned into a dragonfly, and he searches for Khalid down by the bayou. Khalid visits him in his dreams. King must keep these secrets to himself as he watches grief transform his family.
Latest instalment of this best-selling infopedia features brand-new amazing animal stories, explorer profiles, and outrageous attractions that children love, plus more of the incredible inventions, awesome games, and fresh challenges they will want to learn all about.
Practical reference material, including fast facts and maps of every country, has been fully updated. Homework help on key topics is sprinkled throughout the book.
A great home-schooling resource.
“An exciting, immersive and engaging story that carries its learning lightly, sweeping the reader across the Mediterranean from Italy to Greece meeting a centaur, nymphs, even a Fury on the way to finally face the Python itself.” BfK 5 Star Review
The gods are abandoning the earth, tempted by other worlds where they can live in peace. Only a few keep an interest in mortals. In their place, darker, more ancient forces are wakening…
Silvius is given a task by a dying centaur. The dark god Python is rising and massing an army of immense power. The only thing that can save the world is the Arrow of Apollo – but it has been split into two. Silvius and his friend Elissa must travel to the land of their sworn enemies, the Achaeans.
“Much to admire, in this intriguing, ambitious, immersive book.” Literary Review
Times Children’s Book of the Week 28 Mar 2020
First published as Hedvig! in Sweden, 2005. Translated from the Swedish in this edition by the publisher, Julia Marshall of Gecko Press.
Here’s what Alex O’Connell had to say, in selecting it as Children’s Book of the Week in The Times:
Hattie is from the Pippi Longstocking school of clever, anti-establishment little girls who have the capacity for misrule until their conscience kicks in, their hearts turn to fondant and they return to the path of righteousness (while avoiding piety.
…
This is really a collection of the funniest dispatches from [Hatttie’s] first school year.