Even more delightful picture books to share and recommend. All of these will be finding their way into school in a few weeks time and I love being able to read them first to recommend them to each class!
Bird’s Eye View by Frann Preston-Gannon, Published by Templar Books
A gorgeously illustrated book of contradictions and comparisons between humans and birds. Little bird is keen to satisfy her curiosity of people and the world beyond her trees and nest. Soaring above the land, she learns one thing and then another until she is confused by what she sees of people and their actions. From quiet towns to destroyed cities, loud, quiet, dangerous and kind people, Little Bird has much to share with her Mama, if she can ever make it home. The birds eye views in the pages of this book allow the reader to change their own perspectives on people and the world. What the little bird will remember most is the kindness she witnessed- something we all want to remember and share! What a beautiful book to share in a whole school assembly.
Agent Llama by Angela Wolfe and Duncan Beedie, Published by Little Tiger
Agent Llama is a super spy with style! Readers will love her skills, style and solutions to problems encountered on her latest mission. She must save the PM’s underpants. Armed with her cool gadgets and devices, she is ready for anything, plane crashes, electric shocks and stink bombs. Told in rhyme, this spy story will have readers giggling, Kung fu kicking and defeating bad guys along with the super cool Agent Llama. The story is brought into high gear by illustrations that have a retro and comic feel to them and allow readers to sit back and enjoy the show. I love that the book allows for the potential of a series of Agent Llama adventures, each one a little more wild and fun than the last. Chill out 007, there is a new Agent in town…and she may be the best yet!
The Viking who liked Icing by Lu Fraser and Mark McKinley, Published by Bloomsbury
Vikings are strong, tough and brave, epic at sword fights, swimming and shooting arrows! Nut, however, is slightly different in that he loves baking cakes! He isn’t keen on the upcoming sport day and when mistake after error after accident occurs, he worries about the reaction of Chief Olaf. Luckily the pink icing dripping down his nose is delicious and Nut’s sister, Leaf is there to promote his baking skills. Winning an award for the best cakes, Nut is thrilled to be recognised for his talents and not his lack of Viking skills. Being true to himself and his passions has earned him the role of baking for the next banquet. A delightfully rhyming and illustrated tale of finding happiness in being yourself. This is one to share at the beginning of the school year to promote everyone’s passions and interests!
Lily Takes a Walk by Satoshi Kitamura, Published by Scallywag Press
Satoshi Kitamura is widely known for his exceptional stories and illustrations. Originally published in 1987, Lily Takes a Walk is now re-published by Scallywag Press, and is ready to welcome in a new audience. Lily and her dog, Nicky, love going for long walks and the reader is invited along for the journey. As the reader, we can see both the perspective of Lily as she shops and views the world around her, as well as Nicky who sees things differently. While Lily is safe and blissfully unaware, Nicky finds danger in the post box, the posters and the canal. Arriving home, both Lily and Nicky share their own adventures with the family. Delightful and imaginative, this book will have children looking differently at their pets and their walks home!
D.M. Mullan’s Curious Tales, Hector by DM Mullan and Kirsteen Harris-Jones, Published by Tiny Tree
Hector is a genius, a crazy inventor who loves shrieking and shouting that he needs no one! His inventions are fantastic and keep him really busy but something always seems to be missing…if only Hector could figure out what! A walk to the town should clear his head! While on his walk, he gets into a snowball fight with some of the local children! Is this what has been missing all along? Hector is just one of the characters in this series. Lyrical rhyming text creates a fun read aloud for the story and children can learn something valuable from all of these characters, whether it be to make friends like Hector or to be environmentally friendly like Gertrude Grunder. Children will love these teaching tales and hopefully will learn from the mistakes the characters make.
When Cucumber Lost His Cool by Michelle Robinson and Tom Knight, Published by Scholastic
Kevin the Cucumber rocks the cool, jazzy style and the other fruits and veggies are in awe of his confidence, swagger and style. Meeting each one and addressing their concerns, problems or issues, allows Kevin to become a leader for them all. From shy Pea to clumsy carrot, Kevin has just the words and actions to help. His catchy song will become an ear worm to readers and I can picture children singing it throughout the day! When Red Pepper changes the words to the tune, Cucumber loses his cool. However, his new friends are there to share his own advice with him and to help Cucumber see how awesome they all are because they are different! The bright, bold and fun illustrations are a joy to look at and each fruit and veg has a clear personality that would be fun to impersonate while reading!
The Missing Trick by Robin Jacobs and Aimee Wright, Published by Cicada Books
An entirely clever and brilliantly illustrated story, where fewer words and more reliance on images will allow readers to tell their own version of events. Louis is setting up got his magic show and we can view everything that he does and that happens, and each turn of the page adds a new element to the story, from new audience members, accidents with his props and the domino effect of each added element providing its own show before Louis can actually begin properly. Louis is searching for his Rabbit, an integral part of his show but he is nowhere to be found. Simple questions on each page provide ample entertainment for the audience in the book and those holding the book! I can’t recommend this one highly enough for reading aloud and allowing children to explain what is happening in the story, perhaps finding those small details missed by others and sharing in the joy of a magic show!
I am a primary school teacher, turned librarian. Now I have the title Reading Advocate for ASSET Education Trust, based in Suffolk.
I read constantly and have more books than bookshelves, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I celebrate reading every day at work and at home with my two children, aged 11 and 9.
I sit on the National Executive Committee for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and run an OU/UKLA Teachers as Readers group!
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My Shelves Are Full 