Six books you might like to add to your child’s bookshelf
June’s pick of children’s books by reviewer CAROLINE FRANKLIN.
It’s encouraging to hear that reading is increasing in popularity. The overloaded bookshelves in the Franklin household have a number of books I’ll read one day, several books on loan which I look forward to enjoying (or not) at some point and row upon row of books which are old friends. In another room are books from my childhood, many of which have suffered from too much reading. One day they will end up in recycling no doubt, but for now they and the memories they hold are safe.
So it’s good to hear that more people are finding room for reading in their lives and beginning their own collections. It’s never too early to begin and many children I know have already started. So on this first day of June (which, by the way, is also National Dinosaur Day, National Moonshine Day and National Say Something Nice Day according to the internet) let’s have a look at a few of the books which you might like to add to your child’s bookshelf.
Lots of giggling will be heard from young listeners when they hear the story of The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas. When Goat (wearing his fanciest yellow coat) sees Stoat playing in his boat he is REALLY keen to join in the fun though Stoat is less enthusiastic.
Nevertheless, Goat gets his way and, disaster, the two end up floating in the moat and the stoat finds that having a goat in a colourful coat for a friend has its advantages. The rhyming story of The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat will make the grown-up who is reading it smile and what with the smiling and the giggling both will have a good time. Complete fun for the very young.
Published by Nosy Crow at £12.99 (HB)
The 300 odd pages of Daniel Dockery’s Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree will keep readers absorbed as they follow the adventures of young Wendington - who is out to find a missing tree. When her mother is killed in a car crash the young girl, left in the care of her grandmother, receives a package in the middle of the night which apparently comes from her dead mother.
The parcel contains part of a manuscript written by her mother and relates to a mystery surrounding the Tree of Life. The devastated Wendington decides to solve the mystery and find the remaining section of the manuscript, a decision which entails her catching a boat to Australia. It is a dangerous decision for, surrounded by the people on the boat, she must discover who is a friend and who is an enemy intent on the same mission as herself. What will happen when she reaches Australia? This exciting, adventure story ticks all the boxes for being a good read for the 10+.
Published by Uclan Publishing at £8.99 (PB)
When Dads bring home a present it’s very nice, but when Rowan’s father brings home a young pegasus, Rowan is absolutely delighted. Of course, there’s a snag in Liz Flanagan’s Wildsmith – City of Secrets for the guards are out searching for magical creatures and Rowan’s home is not a safe place in which to keep a horse with wings. Fortunately Rowan is a wildsmith and her ability to talk to animals is useful as she and Mouse, the pegasus, flee, but there are many dangers to face before, with the aid of witches, good friends and much flying through the air, the two find safety on a secret island.
Readers aged 7 and upwards will thoroughly enjoy this tale of magic, danger, betrayal and friendship.
Published by Uclan Publishing at £7.99
David Almond’s story of Annie Lumsden, The Girl From The Sea is tender and enchanting. Enhanced by colour illustrations from Beatrice Alemagna, it is the tale of a girl who lives beside the sea with her mother. They love their life there and her mother makes a living by making models from shells and painting rocks with faces – Annie looks upon these as her brothers and sisters. Then one day Annie collapses. She recovers, but it happens again – and again. A change takes place to her back, something which her doctor describes as “an astonishing thing” and which finally answers all the questions for this girl from the sea.
An unusual story beautifully told and presented for children of 9+.
Published by Walker Books at £7.99 (PB)
Richard Scarry wrote more than 250 books.The characters are always child-friendly and the very detailed colourful jolly illustrations are just what is needed to make his stories great for reading to the very young.
The author’s Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbours is a classic of its kind, with characters having names such as Mr Blessing (the vicar), Greenthumb the gardener and Snip-Snip the barber. Busy Postman Pig sees them all and many more on his rounds in Busytown and the story of his day is sheer delight. If the youngest member of your family hasn’t come across Richard Scarry’s many stories give them this one – they’ll love it. Published by Faber at £7.99 (PB)
Described as ‘a story about kindness and care’ Marvellous Margot is all about two good things – friendship and cake!
On a sunny day Margot decides to walk round the city taking with her a freshly baked cake for her friend Oskar. The only trouble is that along the way she meets many people who need her help – and a piece of the wonderful cake.
By the time she reaches her friend Oskar’s house it has all gone, but no worries Oskar himself has been doing a bit of cooking and lo and behold there is a scrumptious cake for the two to share.
A colourfully illustrated story for the very young which has a gentle lesson about being nice to people.
Published by Nosy Crow at £12.99 (HB) or £7.99 (PB)
