2023

The theme for National Non Fiction November is Wonderful Water this year, so I have chosen four fabulous non-fiction books that fit this topic.

For our youngest children, I have chosen Little Lifecycles: Drip by Maggie Li. Drip is a little drop of water. In this book, learn how he will travel through the water cycle to become a tiny drip once again. This beautifully illustrated board book for the very young explores the journey of a raindrop.

Watch Drip travel through streams, rivers, the ocean and clouds to become a little drip once again. A die-cut right through to the last page of the book highlights that nature is full of changes, but that the story begins and ends with a tiny drop of water.

Next, I’ve chosen The Wonderful World Of Water by Sarah Garre and Marijke Huysmans, illustrated by Wendy Panders, where you can dip into any page of this fun, fact-filled book and discover the endless ways that water impacts and sustains life on earth.

Water is our planet’s most important resource, yet it’s easy to overlook its significance in our daily life. This kaleidoscopic journey across the planet offers fascinating insights into how water is connected to the air we breathe, the food we eat, and how our own actions can upset the delicate balance of its cycle. Readers will learn about how water journeys from ocean to sky to mountains, rivers, soil and back again; how water purification works; the flora and fauna of the rainforest; cloud formations and the weather they predict; natural phenomena such as the tiger bush; why rivers flood; what causes a tsunami.

Presented in lively and engaging double-page spreads, each topic is explored with quirky illustrations, trivia, and sidebars that encourage further exploration and experimentation. Best of all, it makes young readers aware just how deeply entwined their futures are with the health of our planet’s water.

The latest book in the Protecting The Planet series, Ice Journey Of The Polar Bear by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith, it is not just a picture book; it’s a call to action, encouraging young readers to become stewards of the planet and protect the delicate balance of nature for generations to come.

For this polar bear, this is a sign it’s time to make a den, a safe place to sleep through the harsh Arctic winter and to give birth to her cubs. But the Arctic is changing; familiar landscapes are melting. What kind of world will her cubs grow up in? This beautifully illustrated picture book gently explores the effects of climate change on polar bears, along with information on how we can all make a difference and protect the planet for these majestic animals.

A poignant and visually captivating exploration of how climate change is impacting the lives of polar bears, Martin and Lou have combined beautiful illustrations with an engaging narrative to educate us all about the challenges faced by these majestic creatures. Through the eyes of a resilient mother bear, we are introduced to the harsh realities of climate change and its direct impact on the Arctic environment.

Finally, brimming with illustrations and information, By The Sea: Life Along The Coast by Judith Homoki and Martin Haake is a coast-to-coast journey through time and across continents introduces young readers to the historical and cultural importance of the world’s seashores.

Coasts have always been the starting point of discovery― whether by explorers searching for new lands or children sifting through the sand for beautiful shells. This trip around the world’s oceans provides hours of fun and learning in a series of highly detailed double-page spreads that look at every aspect of critical coastal habitats, including the ebb and flow of tides; life in a coastal settlement; artistic depictions of seashores; native animals and plants; the whaling industry; tourism; and climate change.

The book also provides a Twenty-First-Century corrective to Western-centric narratives about exploration and colonialism. Interspersed throughout are meticulously detailed maps of the world’s largest oceans with historic events, figures and scientific facts highlighted. As fun as it is informative, this vibrant book takes readers on a trip around the globe that fosters a feeling of connection between their lives and the world’s coastlines.

It also provides one of my favourite facts I’ve discovered this year about the origins of bobble hats – you’ll have to read the book to find out what it is.

Happy reading and fact hunting!

As we head into half-term for a well-earned week off, our thoughts turn to trick or treating and Halloween, so this week my theme is spooky books. I’m not a fan of horror and often need my cushion of comfort by my side when reading books designed to give safe scares, but these are well worth the nail biting…

For our youngest children, but brilliant for everyone, I’ve chosen Poultrygeist by Eric Geron and Pete Oswald.  A wry take on “Why did the chicken cross the road?” that gives a whole new meaning to “the Other Side”, and is perfect for opening discussions around peer pressure and integrity too.

It’s punny. It’s spooky. It’s a picture book that puts a fresh spin on an old joke and elevates chicken comedy to ghastly new levels. A little spring chicken crosses the road but quickly gets flattened under a semitruck. The barnyard beasts who’ve gone before break the news: now that Chicken’s fried—dispatched to the Other Side—Chicken has a job, an unwanted job, as a noisy troublemaking ghost. This fowl may be weak in the beak, but Chicken knows that scaring people isn’t nice. There is such a thing as a friendly ghost, after all—isn’t there? Loaded with laughs and shivers, this Halloween-ready treat features ghoulishly funny art by the illustrator of the #1 New York Times best-selling Bad Seed series. Let the haunting begin!

No chickens were harmed in the making of this book.

A World Full Of Spooky Stories by Angela McAlistair, illustrated by Madalina Andronic is the perfect collection of spooky stories from all over the world to help get you ready for Halloween.

Feel your pulse race and your skin tingle as you turn the pages of this spine-chilling anthology of spooky stories from around the world. Read all about the fearsome witch Baba Yaga, the serpent woman from Spain, the rescue of Tam Lin from the bewitching Queen of the Fairies, how Father Death gets caught in the Enchanted Apple Tree, and the water-dwelling Bunyip from Australia. Make sure you have your candle ready as it’s sure to be a long night… This gorgeous gift book is the perfect anthology for Halloween, or any time you want to be spooked!

Features stories from Germany, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Africa, Brazil, Japan, Australia, India, UK, Canada, France, China, Ireland, Syria, Korea, Sweden, Egypt, Iceland, New Zealand, Arabia, Spain, Tibet, Iran, Greece. The tales are expertly retold by Angela McAllister for spooky fun for the whole family and illustrated by Romanian born Madalina Andronic whose beautifully spooky images bring these stories to life before your very eyes.

Are you ready for story time with a spooky twist?

For Year 4 up, Goosebumps House Of Shivers: Scariest. Book. Ever. by R.L. Stein is the first in a brand new series that promises an all new line-up of incredible villains, with iconic monsters as you’ve never seen them before, whose antics are destined to make them every bit as beloved as Slappy.

When Billy and Betty are dropped off at their uncle’s, their parents leave before he’s even opened the door. When he tells them that he is the owner and protector of the scariest book ever, a book that if opened could unleash unbelievable horrors into the world, they really don’t know what to believe. And neither should you dear reader

Finally, for children who like spooks without quite so many scares, jump aboard The Train Of Dark Wonders By Alex Bell for a journey to strange and spectacular lands.

Following the death of her grandfather, Bess is handed the keys to his most prized possession – his Odditorium. She has always loved the strange and magical wonders within. But unless she can come up with a plan to draw in the crowds, she will have to close its doors for good.

When a mysterious train pulls into town heading for the Land of Halloween Sweets, it looks like this might be her chance to save the Odditorium. So Bess sneaks onboard. She is soon discovered by Beau the puppeteer, Louis the violinist and Maria the fire witch. Eager to prove herself useful, she offers to help them hunt for the rarest of all candies – the ghostly gobstopper. But beneath its sugary exterior, the land is more dangerous than it looks…

Happy reading and have a wonderful half-term!

This week celebrated International Food Day, and it is still Chocolate Week, so all of this week’s recommendations have a food theme…

I’m starting off with Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper, which is 25 year old!

“Deep in the woods, there’s an old white cabin with pumpkins in the garden.
There’s a good smell of soup and at night, with luck,
You might see a bag-piping Cat through the window and a Squirrel with a banjo,
And a small singing Duck.”

Cat, Duck and Squirrel spend their days making pumpkin soup. Cat slices, Squirrel stirs and Duck adds the salt. But, when Duck decides that he wants to stir the soup, they start to squabble.

A beloved, rhythmic story about the importance of friendship and sharing, stunningly illustrated in autumnal colours, this story is perfect to read aloud. And, even better, there are two more stories with Cat, Squirrel and Duck to enjoy!

Next, I’m staying with soup, but moving up to Year 5 and 6 with The Soup Movement by Ben Davis. A Coventry Inspiration Book Award Winning author, Ben is a genius when it comes to stories that will have you laughing out loud one minute and reaching for the tissues with a turn of the page.

To aid his recovery from a life-threatening illness Jordan and his family move out of the city for a healthy new start. Jordan’s getting enough funny looks as the new boy at school as it is, without his Mum giving him homemade soup every day for lunch! But when Jordan meets a homeless man called Harry, and gives him the soup, it is the start of an unlikely friendship. Soon the two of them begin giving soup to the other homeless people around town and when his sister shares their antics on Instagram the #SOUPMOVEMENT begins-they even make it on the news!

One of my favourite books ever, The Soup Movement is one that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Jordan, Rio and Harry are each complex characters who grow and change as the story develops. And, if you’re a child of the 1980’s reading this, get ready to go dancing in the sand with Duran, Duran again.

Moving to non-fiction, and away from soup, we have How Many Ways Can You Cook An Egg? by Lizzie Mabbott, illustrated by Charlotte Dumortier.  From shopping to chopping, this recipe book is packed full of ideas and tips to get kids cooking in the kitchen.

This family cook book is a celebration of all things food – and the joy of eating. From global recipes, to tips on sourcing fresh ingredients, and how different foods can be prepared and enjoyed, this beautifully illustrated cook book is a visual feast and delight to the senses.

Learn how to make dumplings, apple turnovers, spiced fish fingers and other delicious dishes from around the world, with fun and encouraging text by award-winning cook Lizzie Mabbott. Fun artwork by Charlotte Dumortier brings each recipe to life.

How Many Ways Can You Cook An Egg? will excite and inspire young children to get involved in the whole cooking process, and bring families together at mealtimes.

And finally, we’re off on a fact filled sensory adventure in How Does Chocolate Taste On Everest? by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, illustrated by Aaron Cushley.  Don’t get too comfortable. This isn’t the type of book you can snuggle up with under the covers. Not even close! You’re off on the expedition of a lifetime to experience the sights, sounds, smells, feelings and tastes of the world’s most extreme places.

Have you ever wondered what the buzz of the rainforest sounds like on a trek through the Amazon? Or how it would feel to experience the biting cold as you voyage across Antarctica? Or how about how chocolate would taste on Mount Everest? From every heart-bursting sight to tummy-lurching bite, this is a truly immersive round-the-world adventure, where YOU are the explorer.

Happy reading (and fooding)!