Friday Library Recommendations: National Storytelling Week
February 1st is the start of National Storytelling Week which was established to promote the art of storytelling and highlight its cultural and educational value. Storytelling has been an integral part of human communication for centuries, and this week encourages people to reconnect with this age-old tradition whether through traditional tales, poetry or more modern stories that you have created yourself. With this in mind, I’ve chosen books that will help children unlock the stories within them.
First, I’ve picked How To Make A Picture Book by Elys Dolan. Storytelling has long been at the heart of family traditions, connecting generations through tales shared aloud or passed down in cherished books. Before we had the letters and words to tell stories, we recorded them through art – whether cave paintings, stained glass windows or even the Bayeux tapestry. Now, Make Your Own Picture Book invites children to create their own stories and contribute to this timeless tradition.
With the help of Dolan’s hilariously enthusiastic assistant, Bert, young creators will learn how to craft their own picture books. From sparking brilliant ideas to using colour and space to tell a story, this activity-filled guide is packed with tips, fun exercises, and plenty of laughs.
By encouraging children to take the reins of storytelling, this book not only fosters creativity but also helps them appreciate the art of crafting tales and the illustrations that accompany them. Parents can join in the fun, turning this experience into a family activity that honours the joy of shared stories. A perfect way to nurture young imaginations!
Next, I’ve chosen Unleash Your Creative Monster by Andy Jones, illustrated by Olaf Falafel, a fantastic, fun-filled guide to creative writing, perfect for sparking a love of storytelling in young minds. Winner of the Lollies 2023 Book Awards for Non-Fiction, this book offers practical advice, engaging story prompts, and an unforgettable cast of quirky creative monsters to inspire budding storytellers.
Inside, children will explore the building blocks of great stories, learn essential writing tools, and uncover the secrets to crafting captivating tales. With tips on finding inspiration, keeping a story moving, and developing their ideas, this guide makes storytelling approachable and exciting.
Ideal for nurturing creativity and boosting confidence, this book is a must-read for families looking to encourage imaginative thinking and storytelling at home. Whether your child is a reluctant writer or an aspiring author, Unleash Your Creative Monster will help them unleash their inner wordsmith!
Finally, I’ve picked Ten Word Tiny Tales of Love by Joseph Coelho, with various illustrators. Can a story of love be told in just ten words? According to Joseph Coelho, the answer is a resounding “YES!” In this remarkable collection, Coelho shares heartfelt ten-word tales, beautifully brought to life by illustrations from twenty top creators, including Jon Klassen, Jarvis, Bob Graham, Myo Yim, Victoria Turnbull, and Ken Wilson-Max.
Each tiny tale explores cherished moments—whether between siblings, in the healing embrace of nature, or through the bond with a beloved pet. These concise stories, paired with stunning artwork, create a springboard for young readers to let their imaginations soar.
The book also features a note from the author and two creative writing challenges, encouraging children to try their hand at crafting their very own ten-word stories. This unique combination of inspiration and interaction makes it the perfect gift for young storytellers ready to explore their creativity.
A truly delightful read for sparking imagination and fostering a love of storytelling!
Happy reading!
Mental Health in Schools
Cannon Park Primary School is now part of the Mental Health in Schools (MHST) Team, which is an NHS service that has been introduced as part of the national plans to expand mental health services for children, young people and their families within the education setting. For more information, please click here https://cwrise.com/mhst/
Our current priority in working with MHST is to find ways to better support our families regarding mental health. Good mental health in school is important for everyone. To help us better understand how you find support in our school, we would be grateful if you could complete the questionnaire on the link below.
https://forms.office.com/e/vSptiwgRk3?origin=lprLink
Please come and speak to Mrs Smith if you have any questions.
Friday Library Recommendations: New Year, New Habits
Welcome to the first #FridayLibraryRecommendations of 2025. By this point in January, 88% of people have already given up on their New Year’s Resolutions, so I have chosen two books that are about making one small change, that if you stick to, will lead to a much bigger one over time.
First, I have chosen the utterly brilliant The Couch Potato by Jory John and Pete Oswald, a hilarious and heartwarming picture book that tackles a modern dilemma we can all relate to: the struggle of finding balance between screen time and outdoor play.
Couch Potato is a lovable and comically lazy character who prefers lounging on the couch, surrounded by snacks, gadgets, and the glow of the TV screen. He lives a very comfortable life from his favourite spot on the sofa where modern technology takes care of his every need. But when a new gadget arrives and causes a power cut, Couch Potato ventures Outside, and discovers there is far more to life than just being comfortable.
Vibrant and lively illustrations accompany the witty and engaging writing. It’s a delightful reminder that, while screens are here to stay, there’s a whole world beyond them waiting to be discovered. The Couch Potato will leave you smiling – and maybe even stepping outside for some fresh air!
My next choice is something to bring a smile to your face every day of the year, while improving your general knowledge – Happy Days: 365 Facts to Brighten Every Day of the Year by Emily Coxhead, the creator of The Happy News, is an uplifting treasure trove that celebrates the delightful wonders of the world in a way that will captivate both young readers and the young at heart. With a gentle mix of whimsical animal facts, heartwarming human stories, and uplifting statistics, this book feels like a daily dose of positivity and joy.
The facts are wonderfully diverse, showing that acts of kindness and goodness come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Visually, the book is a feast for the eyes. Emily Coxhead’s vibrant, colorful illustrations breathe life into each page, complementing the joyful tone of the stories.
This collection doesn’t just aim to inform but to inspire. The message is clear: the world is full of beauty, kindness, and joy, and we can all contribute to making it a better place. The simple truths in this book remind us that even small acts of love and compassion can have a big impact. It’s a feel-good read for any time of day, whether you’re starting your morning with a smile or winding down before bed.
This is a book to dip into whenever you need a reminder of the goodness in the world. A true celebration of the little joys in life!
Happy reading!
Friday Library Recommendations: Christmas Mysteries…
For my last Friday Library Recommendations of 2024, I’ve chosen the theme Christmas Mysteries… These are the books that will keep you guessing as they twist and turn through the pages.
I’m starting with a book that is sure to become a Christmas classic – Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith – which answers the question, how did Santa celebrate for the first time?
We all know that Santa makes everyone’s dreams come true every Christmas, but it turns out that he needs a little help getting into the holiday spirit himself. Instead of letting Santa get right back to work after he returns home to the North Pole on Christmas morning, his loyal elves want to make sure he experiences the same Christmas cheer he provides for others. With the perfect tree, lots of delicious treats, and, of course, presents, Santa experiences the magic of Christmas for the very first time.
For our older children, I’ve chosen Murder At Wintertide by Fleur Hitchcock, who has written another belting murder mystery to keep you pinned to the edge of your seat.
George and his family are celebrating Christmas by the sea. But when a body washes up on the beach, George can’t stop thinking about the strange lights he saw on the cliff top… Neither can his cousin, Isla. Together, they follow the clues, and as they draw nearer to the truth, they step further into danger. On land, or at sea, someone is desperate to stop them, whatever it takes. And that someone may be closer to home than they realise…
And finally, for armchair sleuths of all ages, grab yourself a pencil and see if you can solve Hartigan Browne’s Festive Cluedle: The Case Of Rudolph’s Revenge.
Team up with world famous private investigator Hartigan Browne and crack the case by solving 80 fun brain-busting Christmas puzzles. Unravel this funny festive Twelve Days of Christmas themed treasure hunt mystery set at Mistlehurst Hall, if you can…
Use your detective skills to discover:
* which bird is hiding in the family tree?
* what the dancing ladies in the hall clock are hiding?
* how faithful hound Monsieur Phideaux can help your investigation?
Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel and maps to navigate, Cluedle – The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge is puzzling fun for the whole family.
Happy reading!