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This Rock That Rock by Dom Conlon ill. Viviane Schwarz

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Wed 1 July 2020

An collection of 50 original poems about the moon.

The poems come in a variety forms… short poems and long ones, silly poems and serious ones. There are haiku and sonnets, acrostics and shapes. Conlon uses kennings and metaphors and slang. And he mixes up the established rhythms that you might find in older poems with the rhythms he hears in his head when his son smiles at him.

Schwarz’s illustrations are apposite and atmospheric.

Follow Viviane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivschwarz/

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Amazon

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 4 Jun 2020
Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week 3 May 2020

A stunning new novel in verse from winner of the 2019 Carnegie Medal.

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance – and Papi’s secrets – the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

In a dual narrative novel in verse that brims with both grief and love, award-winning and bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.

“Eloquent, moving and suspenseful, with a sprinkling of Spanish, this tale of two girls in different worlds explores grief, belonging and sexual threat, and celebrates all kinds of love.” Nicolette Jones

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Irish Fairy Tales, Myths And Legends by Kieran Fanning

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Fri 29 May 2o020

A complete collection of much loved Irish fairy tales, myths and legends, bound into a beautiful new edition. Enjoy the rich mythical history of Ireland from the arrival of the Tuatha De Danann on the island and their great battles with the Fomorians right up to the modern day fairytales of Irish storytelling. Including the Ulster Cycle, and the Fenian Cycle, the book features heroes such as Cuchulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and many traditional favourites such as The Children of Lir.

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Amazon

Caribbean Dozen ed. John Agard & Grace Nichols

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Friday 10 Apr 2020

Edited by John Agard and Grace Nichols, this is a celebration of the Caribbean in over fifty poems.

“Vivid, buzzing with energy and great rhymes.” Guardian
“Steeped in sunlight … a magical collection.” Daily Telegraph

Full of the amazing sights, sounds, smells and rhythms of Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas, this cornerstone anthology vividly evokes the childhood memories of thirteen poets (a Caribbean dozen!).

With over fifty poems, a profile of each poet, bibliographies, sumptuous illustrations and an easy-reference index, A Caribbean Dozen is a collection to be savoured for years to come.

The 12 poets featured are – Valerie Bloom, Faustin Charles, Telcine Turner, David Campbell, Opal Palmer Adisa, Marc Matthews, Dionne Brand, Pamela Mordecai, John Lyons, Frank Collymore, James Berry, Grace Nichols and John Agard.

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Gloves Off by Louisa Reid

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Mon 6 Apr 2020
Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week 15 Mar 2020

YA novel in verse, now available in paperback…

Lily turns sixteen with two very different sides to her life: school, where she is badly bullied, and home with her mum and dad, warm and comforting but with its own difficulties. After a particularly terrible bullying incident, Lily’s dad determines to give his daughter the tools to fight back. Introducing her to boxing, he encourages Lily to find her own worth. It is both difficult and challenging but in confronting her own fears she finds a way through that illuminates her life and friendships. Meeting Rose, and seeing that there is another world out there, enables her to live her own life fully and gives her the knowledge that she is both beautiful and worth it.

“The pace is headlong and compelling.” Financial Times

“Written with feeling, honesty and conviction, this is a story about body image and self-esteem that packs a knock-out punch.” Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

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Run Rebel by Manjeet Mann

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“In a tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking poems, Mann’s brilliant, coruscating verse novel lays out the anatomy of Amber’s revolution, and the tentative first flowerings of hope and change.” GUARDIAN REVIEW

Run, Rebel is a trailblazing verse novel that thunders with rhythm, heart and soul – perfect for fans of Sarah Crossan, Elizabeth Acevedo and Rupi Kaur.

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The Crossover by Kwame Alexander ill. Dawud Anyabwile

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Fri 27 Mar 2020

Graphic novel adaptation of Newbery Medal-winning book. The reviews speak for themselves:

“Offers powerful visuals to an already-cherished narrative. A slam-dunk thrill” KIRKUS
“Impressive attention to detail, the powerful, dynamic illustrations fizz with energy…” BOOKTRUST
“With lively poems that use basketball as a metaphor for life, this mix of free verse, hip-hop, and powerful artwork will resonate with fans of the original book and inspire a new audience of nascent players, artists, and poets.” SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

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Big Green Crocodile, Rhymes To Say And Play by Jane Newbery ill. Carolina Rabei

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Tue 10 Mar 2020

This book is a truly MUST-HAVE for anyone spending time with young children. And forget the book’s blurb that mentions “toddlers and babies”, many of the sixteen original action rhymes inside will be appreciated by school-age children too. 

The rhymes are infectiously rhythmic and each one is accompanied by LET’S PLAY guidance on suggested actions. 

I wasn’t previously aware of Jane Newbery’s writing, although she has published two songbooks, and has a musical background, which explains the sure-footed cadence of the simple rhymes in this wonderful collection, so joyfully illustrated by Carolina Rabei, whose debut picture book (this one is her tenth) was Snow, an illustrated version of a Walter de la Mare poem.

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Wild Wolf by Fiona French

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When Bravest Warrior is refused as a suitor by beautiful Proud Girl his heart turns to anger. In revenge he makes Ice Man, who leads Proud Girl into great danger. But Wild Wolf, guardian spirit, is watching. Can he rescue Proud Girl and could pride and anger turn to forgiveness and love?

Inspired by and adapted from a traditional Algonquin tale, this powerful story, decorated with bold, brightly coloured paintings based on First Nation costume and beadwork, is by an internationally celebrated artist, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Includes author notes on her discovery of this story and her research into Algonquin art, beadwork and needlework. The story has been checked and approved by an Algonquin storyteller and a donation from the sales will be made to the Katarokwi Grandmothers’ Council of Kingston, Ontario.

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Poems Aloud by Joseph Coelho ill. Daniel Gray-Barnett

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ACHUKA Book of the Day Fri 7 Feb 2020

A wittily illustrated anthology of poems, designed to be read aloud. 20 poems by the award winning Joseph Coelho arm children with techniques for lifting poetry off the page and performing with confidence.

The book includes an Introduction that encourages experimentation. “You can shout a poem intended to be whispered, read a group poem by yourself or add actions to tongue twisters.” Having said that, each poem title includes guidance on the most suitable style of delivery. “Start softly and finish LOUD. This is called crescendo.”

A big, hardback picture-book sized anthology made enticing and welcoming by Australian illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett. Follow him on Instagram > https://instagram.com/dgraybarnett 

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