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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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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.

Doctor Who Annual 2022

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The official annual, and the must-have gift for Doctor Who fans of all ages!

The ultimate guide to all things Doctor Who – from the Doctor herself whilst she’s locked up in space prison!

Jam packed with activities, puzzles, stories and all your favourite characters from series new and old, your journey through time and space starts right here.

Minecraft Annual 2022 by Mojang AB

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The official Minecraft Annual 2022 is packed with activities, build ideas and survival challenges to try out in-game.

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, including features on the Cliffs and Caves update, Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Earth.

All New Minecraft Creative Handbook by Mojang AB

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Minecraft is a sandbox game where anything is possible! With over 600 blocks to choose from, getting started can feel overwhelming. This Creative Handbook will give you all the tools you need to become an expert builder. Whether it’s choosing your blocks or decorating your build, this book is packed with expert advice, top tips and advanced tricks to take your construction skills to the next level.

Read how to plan builds, create colour palettes, use effective lighting and much more. This book also features advice from pro build teams and YouTubers, and includes step-by-step builds to complete in-game.

 

Weird but true! 2022: Wild and Wacky Facts & Photos! – National Geographic Kids

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Perennial favourite factual annual.

This bulging compendium is loaded with all-new jaw-dropping, eye-popping, brain-bending facts and bright, bold photography! This year it’s even bigger with four brand new fact-packed chapters.

It pairs the planet’s weirdest facts with the coolest and strangest true storiesFrom strange rocks and baffling bridges to animal astronauts, ice marathons and awesome avocadosExplores animals, geography, science, the environment, human achievement and lots moreThe perfect book for fans of Guinness World Records!

Whether it’s weird words, foul food, yucky creatures, or the world’s longest mazes, this 2022 children’s annual is sure to entertain!

Black Joy edited by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff & Timi Sotire

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An anthology including the work of twenty-eight Black British authors and illustrators.

Speaking to The Bookseller ahead of publication, Brinkhurst-Cuff said, “After an incredibly tough year, Black Joy will be an all-too-rare opportunity for Black British writers to be able to focus on the parts of their race and identity that aren’t caught up in strife; a celebratory text which doesn’t dismiss the difficulties we experience but, taking learnings from the Black Joy Project in the US, treats joy as an act of resistance and resilience. I feel exceptionally thankful to be able to work with so many Black British people, who bring me a tonne of joy on this project. Their essays have left me grinning and gleeful even at this early stage. I’m also incredibly excited that Penguin got behind the idea of bringing on a younger co-editor to be mentored. It has long been a tradition of Black British elders to support the people coming up, and in my own small way I want to help the next generation find their feet within publishing too.”

Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff is a journalist, editor, features writer, columnist. She is the editor-in chief at gal-dem, a Guardian freelance writer, and a former weekend editor and writer at Dazed. She was the editor of Mother Country: Real Stories of the Windrush Children.

 

A Tree Is A Home by Pamela Hickman ill. Zafouko Yamamoto

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from the review in KIRKUS:
“The illustrations are deceptively simple—primitive and childlike, using crayons among other media—but the details go beyond complementing the scientific text. For example, astute readers will see the “sold” sign on the empty house on the verdant, summery initial page. Successive, alternating double-page spreads show first the tree and house on the verso, with brief text that describes seasonal changes in the tree, then present what’s happening at the same time in the life cycles of six winsome animals: raccoon, acorn weevil, opossum, gray squirrel, blue jay, chipmunk. All, even the weevils, are depicted with plenty of personality.”

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