Friday Assembly

After this week, there are just five books left in each category. It’s time to find out of your favourite was evicted this week…

Reception and Key Stage 1 bid farewell to The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, illustrated by Hatem Ali. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It’s the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it’s her older sister Asiya’s first day of hijab–a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong. A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Year 3 and 4 say goodbye to Pests: Mouse In Training by Emer Stamp. Meet Stix, the tiny but heroic mouse who might be living behind your washing machine. But is he naughty enough to join the PESTS? Stix is the size of an egg cup, can jump the width of a dog’s bottom, and LOVES cheese. That’s because Stix is a mouse. He probably lives behind your washing machine, but you wouldn’t know it, because his grandma taught him to always stay out of trouble and NEVER let the humans know he’s there. But now Stix has stumbled across PESTS – the Peewit Educatorium for Seriously Terrible Scoundrels – in the basement of his building, and along with a whole host of new pesty friends (and enemies), he’s about to rip up Grandma’s rule book and make a REAL pest of himself…

For Year 5 and 6, it’s the end of the road for The Ice Bear Miracle by Cerrie Burnell. Life with bears is dangerous, as Marv Jackson knows-the large crescent moon shaped scar on his face acts as a constant reminder of the night he survived a bear attack. There he was, all but five-years-old dressed head to toe in an ice hockey kit, drawn to the frozen lake by his love of skating, or so people say. But when Marv thinks back to the moments before the beat attack, he can hear a baby’s cry cutting through the night air. Marv knows deep in his heart that the legendary tale of that night isn’t quite the full story. The truth can be found at a travelling carnival, where a mysterious young girl and her magnificent polar bear skate beneath the northern stars.

Make sure you keep voting to ensure your favourite isn’t evicted next week at:  https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/140/coventry_inspiration_book_awards

And finally, this week has been Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme is nature, so make sure you get outside with your families this weekend and enjoy the wonders of the world around us. But just in case it rains, An Emotional Menagerie: Feelings From A to Z is a wonderful look at a whole range of emotions mixed with creatures from all over our planet.

Emotions are like animals:
No two are quite the same.
Some are quiet; some are fierce;
And all are hard to tame.

Using rich language to describe each of the discussed emotion as an animal, we are encouraged to explore what causes them and how we can manage them successfully, and by building our understanding of emotional vocabulary, we help to manage our mental health now and into the future.

Thursday 22nd was Earth Day, so this week I have chosen books that celebrate our planet.

For Reception and Key Stage 1, I have picked Dear Earth by Isobel Otter and Clara Anganuzzi.
When Tessa writes a love letter to the Earth, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. She blows bubbles with whales, soars with birds and joins in with the noisy rainforest hullabaloo! Tessa wants everyone to know how special our planet is. A stunning look at the wonders of planet Earth from the eyes of a child, who can see that we all need to work as a team to protect them from further harm.

For Year 2 and up, I’ve picked The Tindims Of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Corry. The tiny Tindims are like the Borrowers-on-Sea, who turn our everyday rubbish into treasure, creating a fun new world of characters and adventures in their empowering new series inspiring conservation and inventive ways to recycle. A whimsical and wacky look at the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans all wrapped in in a brilliantly fun story. There’s also plenty of ideas for creativity once you’ve finished reading too, with a fun recycling activity.

For Year 4 and up, I’ve picked The Last Bear by Hannah Gold. There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…
Beautifully told, this both heart-warming and heart-breaking as we see April connect with one of the fiercest creatures on our planet. To know that his plight rests solely as a result of the damage we have done to the planet.

For those in Upper Key Stage 2 who would like to find our more about the specific issues our planet is facing, the Climate Emergency Atlas: What’s Happening – What Can We Do by DK. Visual maps show where each issue is putting pressure on our planet’s natural resources and where climate change is having a major impact in our world.

Egg by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet is a fabulous near-wordless picture book from the creators of Supertato.

When is an egg not an egg? Everyone knows that eggs have pointy tops and big bottoms – but what happens when an upside down egg turns up? Will this odd egg ever be accepted by the others?

A fabulously funny, thought-provoking, near wordless picturebook celebrating diversity and acceptance.

Egg is the only word used in the book where the pictures tell the story of a different egg trying to fit in. Children are encouraged to spot the differences in the bright, engaging illustrations while willing Egg on to stand up and be accepted for what it is – an Egg – just like all the others, but different!

The Great Chocoplot by Chris Callaghan is the best chocolate you will get your hands on this Easter.

Jelly Wellington loves a Blocka Chocha, but with the impending Chocopocalypse, supplies in Chompton are running low. And just as worrying, she has to make a vlog for her latest science project. Can she prove whether the Chocopocalypse is real? With her last Blocka Chocha sealed safely in a tin, she along with the rest of the world, will have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, Garibaldi Chocolati arrives in Chompton, with his bitter chocolate and a temperament to match. Why would a chocolatier be so delighted by the imminent demise of chocolate?

Chris Callaghan takes the reader on a fabulously imaginative journey; pacey plot and sharp humour, centred around a family where love shines through, and quite possibly the worst neighbour you could wish on anybody, combine to create a laugh out loud adventure that will have you turning the pages while reaching for more chocolate.

Web Wabbit by Lissa Evans is one of the best read aloud chapter books I’ve come across for Year 5 and 6.

Fidge is due to go on the best family holiday, if only she can get Mum and little sister, Minnie, organised in time. But, as ever, their shopping trip doesn’t go to plan. Mum and Minnie seem to be buying anything that isn’t on Fidge’s list, taking so long that the shops close before her things can be bought. When Minnie drops Wed Wabbit, Fidge takes her anger out on the smug looking, stuffed rabbit with devastating consequences.

Stuck with her Aunty, Uncle and exceptionally irritating cousin, Graham, Fidge’s anger resurfaces when given a bag containing Minnie’s toys and listening to Graham’s imagined problems, and once again Web Wabbit is the target for her wrath, along with Graham’s transitional toy.

With a storm closing in, news comes from the hospital that calms Fidge, but it’s too little, too late, and as the lightening strikes, and Fidge finds herself trapped, all alone, in a world she’s read about 48million times. But something is very wrong. There’s a tyrant ruling, who Fidge must defeat if she is ever to find her way home to Minnie, and reunite her with her favourite teddy

Outrageously funny, Wed Wabbit is a feast for the imagination. A brilliant adventure, that will have you laughing out loud, gasping in shock, and desperate to read on, in a wonderfully crafted fantasy world that is reminiscent of any preschool tv show setting, whether it’s Toy Town, Tellytubbies or In The Night Garden. And it has a map!

Fidge and Graham are wonderful characters, each vulnerable in their own way, each as isolated from their family by the protective walls they have built for themselves, and each resilient, brave and supportive as they grow through their adventures. The cast of toys are brought hilariously to life – Ellie is kind, caring and supportive as she aides Fidge, while Dr Carrot is calm and firm as she facilitates Graham’s journey through the Land Of The Wimbly Woos. The Wimblies themselves are just brilliant – each colour with their own unique personalities and talents, that shine through their spoken verse and actions.

Beneath the humour, and amidst the action and adventure, it’s a story of grief and anxiety, and the isolation they can bring. The need to face our fears, with friends and family at our side, rather than shutting them out or hiding from the world.

As it’s Red Nose Day, my book pick is one that will bring comic relief…

The Daily Joker has a belly-wobbling joke for every single day of the year and is packed with hilarious illustrations from Nigel Parkinson who also illustrattes the Beano.  Packed with information about World Celebration Days throughout the year (did you know tomorrow is World Happiness Day?) and hits and tips on how to create your own rib-tickling jokes, this is a must for wannabe comedians, and anyone struggling to find their smile. If the jokes don’t make you laugh, at least they’ll give you something to groan about.