2024

This week, Year 4 have challenged me to choose books on the theme of survival, and it’s been really hard narrowing it down to just three books.

First, I’ve chosen The Ultimate Survival Handbook by Andy McNab, in which, you can learn crucial survival skills from the world-famous ex-SAS survival expert. If you want to be ready for the outdoors, street-smart in the city, and even safe online, this book will show you how!

Find out the best way to set up a camp, safely start a campfire, find your bearings, search for food and water and stay safe in the great outdoors. As well as crucial basics for camping and hiking, readers will discover what to do about more unusual events – including escaping quicksand, tsunamis and wild animal attacks.

This book also features a guide to urban survival – how to stay safe in the city, avoid stranger danger, find your way around any urban environment, and how to manage any emergency. Plus, with years of military-grade security experience, Andy also gives crucial tips on staying safe online. Discover how to make an unbreakable password, how to hide your identity from trolls and scammers, and how to banish cyber-bullies.

Next, I’ve picked one of our “Books to read before you leave Year 6”: Survivors by David Long, and illustrated by Kerry Hyndman, which is packed with amazing real-life stories about extreme survival. Beautifully presented in a large, paperback format, and fully illustrated in colour throughout, this wonderful anthology is a treat for all the family.

Be shocked and amazed by these incredible real-life stories of extreme survival, including:

• The Man Who Sucked Blood from a Shark, a sailor who survived for 133 days on a raft in the Atlantic when his ship was torpedoed, using shark’s blood in place of fresh water.
• The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, a teenager who fell 2 miles from an aeroplane and trekked through the Amazon jungle to safety.
• The Woman Who Froze to Death – Yet Lived, a woman who was trapped under freezing water for so long her heart stopped. Four hours later, medics managed to warm her blood enough to revive her.

Combining classic tales such as Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic voyage, as well as more modern exploits such as the adventurer who inspired the movie 127 Hours, these astonishing stories will be retold by young readers to all of their friends.  Rescue and Heroes are just as inspirational as Survivors too.

And finally, I’ve gone for Spin To Survive: Deadly Jungle by Emily Hawkins, and illustrated by Ruby Fresson. With nothing but your instincts and your trusty Survival Spinner, do you have what it takes to make it out of the jungle alive? Find out in this latest adventure in the thrilling game-in-a-book series, Spin to Survive: Deadly Jungle!

Grandma Beatriz has given you an important mission: discover the fabled Lost City of the Jaguar God so it can be protected and preserved for the future. But lost and alone in the Amazon Rainforest, survival must be your top priority. Play your way through the deadly dangers of the Amazon in a fight for your life, facing off against treacherous river rapids, prowling jaguars, dastardly treasure-hunters and a whole host of hazards that dwell deep in the jungle. With two other books already available and a fourth on the way, reading has never been so much fun – or so deadly!

Happy reading!

What a theme from Year 3 – I love a mystery and when there’s a good crime or murder thrown in so much the better!

First up this week, I’ve chosen Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond by Hartigan Browne

Perfect For mystery fans, Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond is a funny, cosy crime puzzle book for code-cracking families and skilful young super sleuths. Team up with world famous private investigator Hartigan Browne and crack the curious case of the Dumpleton Diamond by solving 50 fun brain-busting puzzles. Set in the village of Dumpleton you need to don your detective cap and discover:

– Who pup-napped Dave the dog?
– What is important about The Flying Goat?
– How the Dumpleton Diamond went missing?
– Why a missing key can unlock this case?

Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel and maps to navigate, Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond is puzzling fun for the whole family. And even better, there are two more books ready to pre-order. Can you work out Cluedunnit?

Next, I’ve chosen the first in a sleuthing series – Kate On The Case by Hannah Peck. Discover the first brilliant adventure of reporter-in-training Kate and her mouse Rupert, in this stunning book, filled with colourful illustrations.

Young reporter-in-training Kate and her mouse-accomplice Rupert are on board a train to visit Kate’s mum in the Arctic. But as soon as the train departs, mysterious things start happening.

A packet of ginger nuts goes missing . . .
A collection of gymnastics trophies are stolen . . .
And some ancient scrolls disappear . . .

Fellow passenger Madame Maude seems the most likely culprit, until a surprising – and delicious – twist turns the whole investigation on its head!

Finally, I’ve chosen a book that isn’t actually in the shops until August, but it’s too good not to put in with this theme. The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell is a magical murder mystery of mammoth proportions! With its charming characters, inventive plot, and a setting that bursts with magic, The Beanstalk Murder is a tale that is both enchanting and exhilarating.

Trainee meadow witch Anwen is having a bad day – which gets much worse when a dead giant falls from the sky and destroys her village. But when she examines the body she discovers something interesting. This giant was murdered, which means a killer is on the loose!

Tasked with sending a message to the giant kingdom via beanstalk, Anwen and her nemesis, trainee sorceress Cerys, accidentally find themselves whipped up into the sky and deposited in the giants’ royal palace – where the king is missing. Using their perfect spy-size and witchy skills, the girls must track down his killer. But how can you investigate a murder mystery when you risk being stepped on by your suspects?

Happy reading!

This week, Year Two have picked Africa as their Friday Library Theme, with a focus on Kenya as it’s their geography topic.

First off, I’ve chosen, Africa, Amazing Africa: Country By Country by Atinuke, illustrated by Mounni Feddag which is a first, personal introduction to the Africa continent for young children.

With double-pages to introduce the different regions of Africa (South, East, West, Central and North), each country is then represented on one page with a colourful half-page illustration from artist Mouni Feddag, a paragraph of descriptive text and then one to three facts, geared towards readers aged four and up; imagined as a diving-off point, to give a sense of the variety of the continent and inspire young readers to find out more about the different countries of Africa.

Next, I’ve chosen the inspirational story of Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees by Franck Prevot. Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts to lead women to bring peace and democracy to Africa through its reforestation. This is the story of what she did, accompanied by stunning artwork.

As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans…

Finally, I’ve chosen Bringing The Rain To Kapati Plain by Aardema, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal, which is a delightful rhyming story full of bright and vivid illustrations.

In this traditional tale, based upon the folk traditions of the Nandi people of Kenya, a young herd boy Ki-pat must find a way to end the dreadful drought that has come to the beautiful Kapiti Plain and save the animals that live there. The cumulative rhyme is a joy to read aloud and a wonderful way to engage young children.

Happy reading!

Tomorrow night, we will be taken on a journey of European cities as the scores are given from the judging panels for the Eurovision Song Contest, so I’m delighted that this week, Year one have chosen stories on the theme of “Cities”. It’s been a really tough job narrowing down the books.

My first choice is Small In The City by Sydney Smith, who is one of my favourite picture book creators.

Being small can be overwhelming in a city. People don’t see you. The loud sounds of the sirens and cyclists can be scary. And the streets are so busy it can make your brain feel like there’s too much stuff in it. But if you know where to find good hiding places, warm dryer vents that blow out hot steam that smells like summer, music to listen to or friends to say hi to, there can be comfort in the city, too.

We follow our little protagonist, who knows all about what its like to be small in the city, as he gives his best advice for surviving there. As we turn the pages, Sydney Smith’s masterful storytelling allows us to glimpse exactly who this advice is for, leading us to a powerful, heart-rending realization…

The Travelling School Mysteries by Jo Clarke are a fantastic series of books where each new term is in a new city, starting with Libby And The Parisian Puzzle, then Edinburgh and in the third book, New York in Libby And The Manhattan Mystery.

In the firs book of the series, mystery-lover Libby is excited but nervous when she’s sent to live with her aunt while her mother is working abroad. Aunt Agatha is the headmistress of an extraordinary travelling school that moves from country to country… Libby joins the school in Paris, where she is just starting to find her feet when Agatha is arrested, accused of a daring jewel robbery! Can Libby and her new best friend Connie find the real thief and save her aunt?

Every trip out immerses you further into the Parisian setting,  brought beautifully to life by Jo’s writing, and Libby’s keen eye for detail. Becka Moor’s illustrations, scattered liberally throughout, capture the joyful nature of the story, and it’s characters and setting perfectly. There is something truly wonderful about a school that changes destination for each term, and you’ll be left craving hot chocolate and macarons

Finally, for our older children, I’ve chosen a story that brings Honk Kong to life; The Black Dragon by Julian Sedgewick.

Danny Woo’s life was turned upside down the night of the fire that took his parents life. Since then, he’s been frozen, trying to adjust to life at Ballstone boarding school. When an explosion rips through the corridors, Aunty Laura suggests Danny goes with her to Hong Kong – the place where his mother was born – and spend some time with Major Zamora, his trusted friend from The Mysterium.

No sooner do they walk through arrivals that Danny realises this might not be as straightforward a trip as he’s been led to believe. First, there’s the man in the white suit; is he following them? Then, while at dinner, armed men kidnap his Aunty. For the first time in over a year, Danny feels himself begin to unfreeze, and tries to unlock the memories of that last fateful week at the circus with his parents. Could the events unfolding around him have any links to that past?

Packed with action and intrigue, Julian Sedgwick has created an action packed thriller that moves at breakneck speed to the mind blowing conclusion. He conjures up complex characters and brings Hong Kong vividly to life, while mixing deadly gangs, magic and mystery with a slight of hand that Danny’s Dad would be proud of. A hypnotising start to a gripping series.

Happy reading – enjoy your travels this week!

Reception had a big debate about which theme to choose, ranging from Barbie to bodies, but settled on Pets!

For our youngest children, I’ve chosen Books Make Good Pets by John Agard and Momoko Abo

Books make good pets and don’t need going to the vet.
You don’t have to keep them on a lead or throw them a stick.
They’ll wag their words whenever you flick their dog-eared pages.
Even howl an ancient tale for the inward-listening ear.

Did you know that a book can take you anywhere? You only need to turn the pages of a story, and in a moment, you and your book could be crossing the waves in a pirate ship… or diving with mermaids… or even snoozing with a dragon.

Books really DO make good pets! Why don’t you peep inside this one, and take your mind on an adventure?

This delightful original picture book poem is the perfect gift for anyone who delights in the magic of a good book. Agard’s evocative, lyrical style is perfectly complemented with illustrations by Momoko Abe, whose colourful visuals add character, transporting the reader into an enchanting world of imagination.

I’m sneaking in a second picture book as it’s too good not be one of the recommendations on this theme. Seahorses Are Sold Out by Katja Gehrmann and Constanze Spengler is a hilariously wild picture book featuring a single-parent family.

Mika’s father works from home and he’s very busy! He can never find time for the promised swimming trip. So Dad allows Mika to choose a pet from the store while he finishes the project—something quiet like a mouse. And so begins a wonderfully turbulent story in which Mika brings home one animal after another… The mouse gets lost so they need a dog to find it. The dog is followed by a seal, the seal a penguin. One pet for Mika leads to another and another. How many animals can come to stay before a harassed father notices?

For newly confident readers, Luma And The Pet Dragon by Leah Mohammed contains two gorgeously warm and funny stories about a little girl whose wish comes true.

When Luma Dewan wakes up on the morning of her seventh birthday, she knows that today will be special. But she has no idea just how wonderful and extraordinary it will be. For today is the day she will meet Timir – a real talking dragon. Or at least when Luma is around that’s what he is. When anyone else is there, he becomes an ordinary grey puppy with a fluffy tail, who loves chasing squirrels and bouncing on trampolines.

It’s a big secret to keep – and Luma’s clever cousin Arjun is soon suspicious of this peculiar puppy, who doesn’t quite behave like any other dog. Luckily Luma’s grandmother – Nani – is there to help, and to Luma’s surprise, Nani might just know a little dragon magic of her own . . .

And finally, for our older children, I’ve chosen D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer, which is a beautifully told, heart-wrenching story of family, friendship and self-discovery, and a triumph of diversity, inclusivity and the power of knowledge to shape informed, balanced opinions.

Jack loves nothing more than playing video games based on war with his Dad, a member of the Army Reserves. That, and his dog, Finn. And now he’s learning all about the D-Day Landings at school before the Year 6 residential trip to Normandy. Life couldn’t be better.

Then Jack’s parents fall out when his Mum finds Dad’s deployment letter, and everything Jack thought about war is turned on it’s head when he researches a D-Day soldier and his dog, Emile Corteil and Glen.

Is he right to be proud of his Dad? Were soldiers brave or foolish? And what did John Maxwell Edmunds mean when he said, “When you go Home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”?

Happy reading!