It’s the end of the Second World War and the entire world is healing. Memories of the Blitz, loss and hardship continue to haunt those who have survived. Nona and her Uncle Antoni work together to replace the beautiful stained-glass windows in war torn buildings. As they attempt to heal these historic landmarks, they also… Continue reading Glassheart by Katharine Orton
The air is crisp, leaves are falling and nights are drawing in. Autumn is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. I'm really pleased to have written an article for True Education Partnerships with five fantastic books for Autumn! Follow the link to read the article: https://www.trueeducationpartnerships.com/schools/five-brilliant-books-for-autumn/ Click on the covers below… Continue reading Brilliant Books for Autumn
Love, support, acceptance and kindness are what make people shine brightly. The same is true for the lovely little fir tree in the gorgeous book. At first, the tree is devastated when it isn’t chosen to become a Christmas tree. Left in the clearing, all alone, it longs to feel needed and loved. The animals… Continue reading The Tree That’s Meant to Be by Yuval Zommer
Right from the start, The Island That Didn’t Exist is full of fast-paced action! Twelve-year-old Rixon is shocked when his Great Uncle Sylvester leaves him something in his will – an island that can only be found on an ancient map! Does it actually exist? And, more importantly, how can he get there?! Rixon is… Continue reading The Island That Didn’t Exist by Joe Wilson
What do we need to survive? Is it a warm, safe home with plenty to eat? Is it being surrounded by friends and family? Is it good health and access to medical care? Now, more than ever, we have been thinking about our basic needs and how they are met each day. The Children of… Continue reading The Children of Swallow Fell by Julia Green
The Good Bear is a powerful story of trust, unusual friendships and understanding. Twelve-year-old Thea travels to Norway to spend Christmas with her father and his family. Leaving her mother and everything familiar behind, Thea must learn that Christmas is not about the traditions, what you do or what you eat, but about being together… Continue reading The Good Bear by Sarah Lean & illustrated by Fiona Woodcock
The Eiffel Tower has been stolen and it’s up to the League of Extraordinary Travellers to solve the case! In the 1920’s, Athena Strong was an incredible scientist and inventor. Despite their brilliance, if her creations were to fall into the wrong hands, it would be disastrous! Now, years later, Lucy and Tom, together with… Continue reading Extraordinary Travellers: The Little Museum by Karen Beddow & Lyndsay Macaulay
With a bright, eye-catching cover, Jeremy Worried About the Wind is just the kind of picture book children want to pick up and explore. Perfect for any child who has ever felt a little worried, this book reassuringly addresses those concerns through a funny, slightly silly story. Jeremy is a worrier. He worries about everything… Continue reading Jeremy Worried About the Wind by Pamela Butchart & illustrated by Kate Hindley
A New Kind of Normal is an interactive performance poem aimed at helping children deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. Engaging and fun, the five sections of the poem move through the different thoughts and feelings many children have experienced over the past months. Discussion prompts after each section provide an opportunity to delve deeper into… Continue reading A New Kind of Normal by School Poet
The Baboon with the Golden Bum is a funny, action-packed mystery with a dark, “film noir” detective feel. Seamus, a turkey detective, is the head of the Free Range Detective Agency. His dry comments, clever sarcasm and random musings lift this story to the next level of children’s detective parodies. Seamus has had no cases… Continue reading The Baboon with the Golden Bum by Jed Lynch & illustrated by Stephen Stone
Scope for Imagination 