Author name: Miss Cleveland

Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 14 November in 2021, is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those that have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.

This week’s books all focus on stories about the people who gave their lives during World War I.

Where The Poppies Now Grow by Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey is a thought-provoking, sensitive poem to introduce younger readers to World War 1, and a touching tribute to honour all those who sacrificed so much for the cause of peace. Set in a bygone age, the carefree childhood of Ben and his best friend Ray becomes a distant memory when they join the army to serve their country. But, in the midst of battle can their friendship survive?

Owen And The Soldier by Lisa Thompson is a tender and touching story about loss, the importance of remembrance and standing up for your beliefs. A crumbling stone soldier sits on a bench in the park. Only Owen understands how important he is. At home, Owen and his mum are struggling and there’s nobody he can talk to. Hidden away in the park, Owen feels free to be himself. When the war-weary soldier is listening, his worries slip away. But nobody else cares about the soldier, and the town council want to tear him down. Owen’s the only one who can save him but can he find the courage to speak up before it’s too late?

Armistice Runner by Tom Palmer is a heart-wrenching story of family history, resilience and bravery, beautifully told against the stunning back drop of the fells in the Lake District, and the shocking realities of life in the trenches.

Watching Lily come to understand who her great-great-grandfather was and what he did during the war is as heart-breaking as it is uplifting, especially seeing her take inspiration from him to keep on trying at her sport. With a strong message about kindness and supporting each other, this is a brilliant read for empathy that if read with older generations may prompt families to share their own stories, preserving them for future generations.

Lily has lots of worries. She’s struggling to compete in her fell-running races and, worse, she’s losing her gran to Alzheimer’s. But then she discovers her great-great-grandfather’s diaries from the First World War. Could his incredible story of bravery help her reconnect with her gran and even give her the inspiration she needs to push through and win?

And now for something completely different…

The last two weeks has seen the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties take place in Glasgow where leaders from over 200 countries have come together to try to tackle climate change and any decisions taken could lead to big changes to our everyday lives in order to hit to hit climate targets, like people driving electric cars, moving away from gas heating, eating less red meat and not taking as many flights in the future.

So this seems to be the perfect time to share It’s Up To Us: A Children’s Terra Carta for Nature, People & The Planet by Christopher Lloyd, with a foreword by His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales. We are shown how, over time, people have harmed the delicate balance of nature on Earth; polluting the air, land and sea, damaging habitats, and putting ours needs above every other creature living here.

I loved exploring the differing illustration styles adorning each spread from the 33 illustrators picked from across the globe, and spotting the cultural references and details within them. Vibrant and engaging, they underpin the messages that sit alongside them. The addition of the foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales, and the original preface to the Terra Carta show just how important the messages with It’s Up To Us really are.

From the clear explanation of the harm we have done to the easy to understand pledges that everyone needs to sign up to in order to stop and try to reverse some of the damage we have done, this is a must for every school to continue the work on climate change and environmental damage they are already undertaking to grow an ecologically educated generation that are understand why implementing the Terra Carta is essential to saving all life on Earth, including our own.

The Terra Carta is a roadmap to sustainability issued by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and his Sustainable Markets Initiative. More than 400 corporations have already signed on, agreeing to put the health of Nature, People & Planet at the heart of their activities. Now it’s up to all of us to make sure our leaders keep their promises.

Yesterday was Diwali, and tonight is Bonfire Night, so this week’s books all link to light, fireworks and the gunpowder plot!

Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar and Nidhi Chanani is a delightful celebration of Diwali in a picture book that everyone can enjoy. The narrative is interspersed with fascinating insights into preparations for the Hindu Festival Of Light, and I love that the whole class celebrate with her. The book finishes with a short retelling of the Diwali Story and an explanation of the Five Days of Diwali.

When it is Binny’s turn to give a talk to her class about her favourite holiday she’s both excited and nervous. She wants to make sure her friends understand why Diwali is so special to her and her family.  Thrity Umrigar captures her emotions perfectly as her excitement about her favourite holiday is tempered with her need to get her talk just right. Nidhi Chanani’s illustrations are bright, fresh, and modern and capture the light within them, bringing the story to life.

The King Who Banned The Dark by Emily Haworth-Booth is a truly delightful picture book spotlighting light and dark, fear and hope, and protest against arbitrary rules.

There was once a little boy who was afraid of the dark. There’s nothing unusual about that. Most children are afraid of the dark at one time of another. But this little boy was a Prince, and he decided that when he became King, he would do something about the dark. He would ban it. When a King bans the dark completely, installing an artificial sun, and enforcing “anti-dark” laws, it seems like a good idea. The citizens don’t need to worry about monsters, crime, or any of the other scary things that might live in the dark. But what happens when nobody can sleep, and the citizens revolt? Will the King face his fears and turn the lights off? The King Who Banned the Dark is a beautiful story about how we need the dark in order to enjoy the light.

Asha And The Spirit Bird by Jasbinder Bilan is a beautifully told, gripping adventure with family, friendship and self-belief at it’s heart. Jasbinder’s evocative writing transports the reader from the calm, quiet village of Moormanali, through the freezing forests and up mountains to the most northerly temple of the Himalayas at Kasare and back down into the hustle, bustle and darkest spots of Zandapur.

Asha and Jeevan spark wonderfully off each other, supporting and encouraging, learning about their different beliefs and growing together as their journey becomes ever more treacherous. I can’t tell you my favourite moment (because, spoiler) but it had me doing a full on first pump at their bravery and teamwork.

I love that the Diwali story and spirituality is central to the plot, adding yet another layer of authenticity to this heartfelt story. And, the glossary at the beginning, so you can immerse yourself in the Indian terms before you begin reading,

Black Powder by Ally Sherrick is a rip-roaring life and death romp of an adventure, featuring Guy Fawkes. The fast pace and short chapters mean you find yourself reading just one more continuously. Rich, descriptive language pull the reader into the story as the drama and tension build to a nerve jangling climax.

England, 1605: 12-year-old Tom must save his father from hanging. He falls in with a mysterious stranger – the Falcon – who promises to help him in exchange for his service. But on the long journey to London, Tom discovers the Falcon’s true mission – and a plot to blow up Parliament with barrels of black powder. Tom faces a terrible decision: secure his father’s release, or stop the assassination of the king…

However you are celebrating this weekend, please stay safe and remember to follow the firework code…

The leaves are falling and an autumnal chill is definitely in the air. This week’s recommendations are great for curling up indoors after a trip to the park (don’t forget to scan the GoParks QR code) and all have a spooky theme ready for Halloween.

For younger children, A World Full Of Spooky Stories by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Madalina Andronic, is a collection of 50 tales to make your spine tingle from all over the world. Whether you fancy a trip into the woods, down by the water, up a mountain or even to a grave yard, these short stories are perfect for snuggling up together for a safe scare! It’s a wonderfully diverse collection of spooky tales linked by their spooky theme, but I loved discovering links between stories from other countries, reminding me how myths and legends develop through time.

For our older children, The Red Gloves And Other Stories by Catherine Fisher, is a deliciously dark collection of tales that mix fear with myth, heart and magic. 

Enthralling, evocative storytelling, makes this spooky collection of nine haunting short stories a must for readers who like their books to send a shiver up their spines.

Each chilling tale is steeped in suspense and had me clinging to my cushion of comfort. Whether supernatural, mythical or unexplainable, Catherine has woven a web of stories to lose yourself in (just not at bedtime for me!). Her descriptions bring each setting to life, I could feel the silky red gloves, the hare’s fur, the silver road beneath my feet, just as much as the characters’ growing unease.

The tales conjured images from Harris Burdick in my mind as I read The Silver Road, and the Ghost In The Rain is reminiscent of the world The Clockwork Crow is set in. The Introduction gives really helpful information as to the origins and ideas behind each story and I will definitely be seeking out the traditional tale that Nettle is based on.  

For non-fiction fans, The World Of The Unknown: All About Ghosts by Christopher Maynard, is an absolute must! Originally published in 1977, this has been reissued for a new generation of ghost-hunters. I read my childhood copy until it fell apart so am delighted to see it back in print.  This book is for anyone who has shivered at shadowy figures in the dark, heard strange sounds in the night, or felt the presence of a mysterious ‘something’ from the unknown. Ghost stories are as old as recorded history and exist all over the world. Many of the different kinds of ghosts that are thought to haunt the Earth and their behaviour are described here. You will meet haunting spirits, screaming skulls, phantom ships, demon dogs, white ladies, gallows ghosts and many more. This book also explains the techniques and equipment of ghost hunting and tells how lots of ‘ghosts’ have been exposed as fakes or explained away as natural events. Also included are some theories that attempt to explain the possible existence of ghosts. With a brand new foreword by BAFTA-winning writer, comedian and actor Reece Shearsmith, otherwise the book remains unchanged from the original.

And finally, the monsters are back this half-term in Coventry so I thought a monstrously good book recommendation was in order to welcome them. The Maker Of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory is a multi-layered, mesmerising dystopian fantasy, and an epic adventure, all packed into a short read, brimming with heart, humour and horrifying monsters. Themes of power and corruption, love and loss, and self-worth and the monster we carry with us run subtly beneath the action packed plot, which make this a fabulous read for empathy. 

Brat has always lived in the isolated castle on the island, taking care of the vicious creatures that his master creates, waiting in terror for the moment when they are ready to be put to use. But then the unthinkable happens. The monsters get out. Now Brat must overcome his fears, and venture into the world he has hidden from his whole life. For the fate of everyone rests on his shoulders alone. . .

You can find out more about the monster trail here: Beware! The Monsters are back | Coventry City Council

Have a spooktacular half-term!