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A very warm welcome to all of the Cannon Park Primary School Community as we begin a new school year. I only have one book this week that encompasses all of our school values.
The Best You by Nima Patel and Cally Johnson-Isaacs is a heartwarming and empowering picture book shifts the focus from what children do to who they are, and celebrates the qualities and character traits that everyone, no matter how old, need to thrive. It is a brilliant reminder that everything we need to be the very best version of ourselves is already inside us.
Instead of the traditional question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, this book gently invites readers to explore the kind of person they want to become – kind, fair, brave, creative, determined, adventurous… Each page highlights a different value, often inspired by real-world roles like firefighters, teachers, or artists, helping children connect moral qualities with everyday heroes.
Encouraging self-awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence, The Best You helps readers understand that they already possess the seeds of greatness within themselves through how they treat others and the choices they make.
Happy reading!
Reminder on start days:
Year 1 to Year 6: Wednesday 3rd September
Reception: Thursday 4th September – Please see your letter for your child’s time.
“Your future depends on your dreams, so go to sleep.” — Mesut Barazany
It is important to work hard, stay motivated and set goals to achieve in life. It is also important to not overwork yourself and get enough rest to help manage your stress and unwind so you can stay motivated and prevent burnout in the long run.
Rest is vital for your mental health as it can improve your concentration, memory, critical thinking, and thinking, planning for the future, problem-solving, mood, immune system, reduce stress, and helps your body’s metabolism and physical recovery.
Rest can be difficult to define because it can look different for everyone. It can be anything physical or mentally stimulating that improves wellbeing such as going for a walk, singing, drawing, cycling, playing games, watching TV/streaming, exercising, playing sports, reading, dancing, listening or creating music, writing, crafting, relaxing or anything else you enjoy!
Our Top Tips For Rest
Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.
The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest reading for pleasure programme for primary school children in libraries, reaching close to 700,000 children last year. This year, the theme is “Story Garden”, and I have chosen some of my favourite books from The Reading Agency’s Collection.
For our youngest children, I have picked Farah Loves Mangos by Sarthak Sinha, a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated picture book.
This vibrant story, written by Sarthak Sinha, follows a young girl named Farah who adores mangos, so much so, she dreams of living inside one! Each summer, she visits her beloved Grandpa and together they pick juicy, golden mangos from his garden tree.
But this year is different. The mango tree is bare, and Farah is determined to fix it. With childlike optimism and creativity, she tries everything she can to make the tree bloom again. What follows is a gentle and thoughtful tale about patience, growth, and discovering joy in the little things beyond just the end result.
This book is a lovely way to introduce young readers to the ideas of nature’s cycles and the deeper meaning of relationships with loved ones. Farah’s bond with her Grandpa is particularly touching, and parents may find it sparks conversations about family traditions and the importance of spending time together.
The illustrations are colourful, rich in detail, and perfectly capture the warmth of summer days and the comfort of home. Young readers will enjoy spotting mango-themed surprises throughout the pages.
I love that Farah Loves Mangos is not just a celebration of a favourite fruit, it’s a gentle reminder that some of life’s sweetest moments come from what we learn along the way, not just what we get at the end.
Next up, I’ve chosen Hilda And Twig Hide From The Rain by Luke Pearson, perfect for young readers who enjoy a mix of adventure, magic, and friendship.
Fans of the Netflix Hilda series or the original graphic novels will be delighted to see blue-haired Hilda and her loyal deer-fox Twig in another thrilling tale.
The story begins with the pair heading out for a forest exploration, undeterred by a little rain. But when a huge storm rolls in, things take a dramatic turn. They find shelter in a strange mound in the ground. But, it’s not just any mound… Something mysterious is going on, and Twig soon realises that Hilda is in serious danger.
I love that this story focuses on Twig. Usually the quieter sidekick, Twig is suddenly pushed into the spotlight and has to face his fears to protect his best friend. It’s a lovely message for young readers: that bravery can come in many forms, even from those who don’t think of themselves as heroes.
The artwork is vibrant and full of character, bringing the magical world of Trolberg and its surrounding forests to life. The comic format makes it easy to follow, especially for children who are growing in confidence with their reading.
With a perfect balance of gentle humour, suspense, and warmth, Hilda and Twig Hide from the Rain is a brilliant rainy-day read that shows the power of courage, friendship, and a little bit of wild imagination. Highly recommended for children who love quirky stories with heart!
And finally, for our older readers, I’ve selected The Last Dragon by Polly Ho-Yen, a magical and heartfelt adventure.
This moving story follows Yara, a young girl navigating some very grown-up problems. Her sister is in hospital, her home life is full of worry, and things at school aren’t much better. Her new teacher thinks she’s nothing but trouble. But Yara’s world changes completely when, under the lights of a Milton Keynes shopping centre, she encounters something unbelievable: the very last dragon on Earth.
In a moment of quiet magic, the dragon leaves Yara its final gift, a single egg. From this point on, Yara is faced with a huge responsibility. The egg holds a power she doesn’t fully understand, and there are people out there who will stop at nothing to take it from her. Yara must summon courage she didn’t know she had, trusting in herself and learning to stand up for what’s right.
This is more than just a fantasy story. It’s a powerful tale about bravery, believing in yourself when others don’t, and caring for the natural world. The blend of real-life challenges with a touch of dragon magic makes it a brilliantly accessible and relatable read for children, and absolutely perfect for readers who enjoy stories with heart, imagination, and a message of hope.
You can take part online, or by signing up at participating libraries, and check out all of the other books in the collection here.
Happy reading!
Tips for wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein
Changes are a normal part of our lives and they affect us all in different ways. Some changes may feel small to you, but big to another person, and the opposite for a different change. For example, moving to a new class or school, moving homes, or starting a new club. They can feel exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming and stressful, especially when they are unexpected. Below are some tips to help you cope with changes that may feel hard for you.
1 – Keep doing things you enjoy! When we feel stressed or worried, it can be easy for us to focus on the worries all the time and forget to do the things that make us happy. Make sure to plan in time at the weekends and evenings to do things you enjoy to help you relax and boost your mood!
2 – Think about what you can control. When a change is unexpected or overwhelming, we can feel a bit like we have no control over the situation or how it is making us feel. It can be helpful to think about what you do have control over in this situation. For example, we can’t control how the change makes us feel but we can control how we react to the situation and what we do following the change. Such as, staying connected with our friends and family, keeping to our daily routines, and planning ahead where we can.
3 – Look for the positives. While change can feel hard, there’s often something good that comes from it, even if it is not immediately obvious. Such as, new opportunities, new people or learning experiences. You might even surprise yourself and enjoy the change!
Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.
