It’s my final Friday Library Recommendations of this school year, and once again, it’s been an absolute pleasure to share amazing books from the world of children’s literature with our whole school community. With summer holidays edging ever closer, my final theme is Journeys – real or imagined!
My first choice is a beautiful picture book by Steve McCarthy called The Wilderness, a wild and wondrous story of true bravery and discovering friendship in the most unexpected of places, perfect for adventurers and the more timid alike.
The Vasylenko family are adventurers. They all love the wet and the wild, the thrill of exploring the outside world. All that is … except Oktober. He prefers the warm and safe comfort of the inside world, and for his adventures to take place between the pages of a book. But tomorrow, Oktober has to join his family on a trek into the slimy, grimy and climby wild, where he sees only danger and worry and fears a creature called “The Wilderness”! Failing to keep his wits about him could be dangerous though – it may even get him a bit … lost. But perhaps getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find himself and maybe even make an unexpected friend.
Next, I’ve chosen a funny and fantastical adventure by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz – The Incredible Adventures Of Gaston Le Dog.
Gaston le Dog longs to return to the beautiful beach he remembers from years ago. So he sets off on an adventure – but mystery and danger lurk at every turn, and Gaston will need all the help he can get from the friends he meets along the way. But can they all be trusted? And will Gaston’s odyssey bring him everything he hoped for? This playful new tale from national treasure Michael Rosen sprinkles myth, magic and fairy tale to create a brilliant story, illustrated by award-winning artist Viviane Schwarz, perfect for fans of the Grimwood series.
Finally, I’ve picked a fabulous non-fiction title – It’s The Journey, Not The Destination by Carl Honore, illustrated by Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell. Take time to connect with the world as you embark on 40 slow adventures by foot, bike, boat or train, allowing you to take in the history, absorb the landscape and meet extraordinary people along the way.
Whether you roam the ‘Rose City’ of Petra, feel the magic of the Great Stones Way or sail back in time on the River Nile, these journeys, illustrated step-by-step through each location and accompanied by texts from bestselling author ‘Godfather of the Slow Movement’ Carl Honoré provide young readers with a feast for the senses and food for the soul.
Happy reading and have a wonderful summer full of slow adventures.
