[my image, the river Yare in May 2020]
A compilation of all the books I read, reviewed, shared and loved in May and June 2020 (we're still in the coronavirus lockdown as I begin writing this at the start of May, I wonder where we will be at the end of June?).....it's the end of June....we might be able to get a haircut in a few days time....
Developing empathy in the early years by Helen Garnett. Brilliant. Should definitely be read by everyone who works with small children, or actually by anyone...at least the first chapter. Here's a taster - "...the essence of empathy: to truly understand another's viewpoint simply because you made the effort to understand who he is." Practising empathy and making empathy embedded in our every day lives and practices, will grow emotional health in children, buying us hope for future generations, turning lives around.
@JKPBooks
Let's play outdoors! Exploring nature for children by Carla McRae and Catherine Ard, from Little Gestalten. Exploring, investigating and caring for nature, from cloud watching and bee spotting, to bark rubbings and tree climbing, this beautifully illustrated guide is a source of inspiration for children and their families to get outside, and explore the wonders that are out there. Our own gardens, window boxes, the view from our windows or the ground under our feet as we simply step out of the front door, all hide tiny treasures to spot and talk about.
@littlegestalten, @gestaltennews
How to save the world for free by Natalie Fee. This is a practical guide to saving the planet without costing individuals a lot. She shows us how it is possible to begin ourselves to tackle big worldwide problems like climate breakdown, rising sea levels,biodiversity loss, and ongoing pollution without descending into a spiral of despair - although we do need to feel these feelings to spur us on - rather with an attitude of hope for the creation of a better world and a community spirit. Essential reading for us all as a starting point for why and how we need to begin to save the planet. @lkpchildrens @LaurenceKingPub
We are all Greta, Be Inspired to Save the World by Valentina Giannella and illustrated by Manuela Marazzi. Recommended for ages 11+, but could be shared in small chunks with younger children, after all lots of children who joined in the climate strike movement over the last year with their schools and families were much younger than 11, and incredibly articulate in describing the problem and their actions. In her introduction the author describes the book as setting out "the basic ideas required to understand climate change, explained in a scientific and accessible way and drawn from the most authoritative sources." She encourages children to ask about global warming, the greenhouse effect, fossil fuels, biodiversity, sustainable development, and how to find reliable sources and take action. @lkpchildrens @LaurenceKingPub
the Battle, starting school can be scary sometimes by Ashling Kwok and Cara King. This is a brilliant picture book. When I first read it I was taken in by the the protagonist Edward, as he starts his first day at Knight School. He is afraid to play with the dragons, ogres and giants. But he soon realises they are not at all as bad as he imagined. A totally brilliant twist at the end too. Loved it. @ExisleBooks
What's my Instrument by Johnny Oddsocks. This is a quirky tale of Marilyn the Mongoose who wants to be in a band but doesn't play an instrument. All the instruments she tries don't quite work out... but what will she do? You'll have to read it to find out, but I will say there's a very happy and musical ending, involving an iguana, an aardvark and a joey. @JohnnyOddSocks
Bruce Beaver's Amazing Race by Christopher Read and illustrated by Daniela Frongia www.actonlanepublishing.com. A tale of friendship and working together.
Window by Jeannie Baker. There are no words in this book. But I am struck by the powerful images. As the baby grows to be a boy then a young man, the view from the window slowly changes from countryside to built up city. And we realise how the slow drip, drip of ever-expanding building and development is not so noticeable at the time, but is a shock to see in comparable images. I see the same in my city, as I have lived in the same place for more than 30 years. The city becomes bigger, the trees and farmland on the outskirts getting eaten up by bulldozers and tarmac. Food for thought. See also Belonging by Jeannie Baker) Published by Walker books, @WalkerBooksUK
There's a Rang Tan in my bedroom written by James Sellick for Greenpeace, and illustrated by various illustrators. Totally absorbing and emotional, the plight of the orangutan simply explained and illustrated for children of all ages. A must read for everyone. There's an introduction from Emma Thompson encouraging us to share the message - big companies are tearing down the world's rainforests for palm oil, killing orangutans and destroying their habitat, and we must fight for their protection. Published by Greenpeace - @rangtanforest @greenpeace
George saves the world by lunchtime by Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts. Grandpa helps George in his mission to save the world. They save electricity, recycle, repair, donate, compost, and cycle instead of taking the car. A brilliant introduction to saving the world for young children. Published by Penguin Books and Eden Children's Books, @PenguinUKBooks
What planet are you from Clarice Bean? by Lauren Child. From the creator of Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean is learning about planet earth at school. Lauren Child's books are quirky, humorous and wonderfully illustrated, and this Clarice Bean story is no exception. She's learning about nature, holes in the sky (because her sister Marcie uses too much hairspray), recycling and trees being chopped down. Clarice and her friends join her brother on a mission to save the trees, making posters and joining a protest. It's inspiring stuff and teaches us why this is so important as well as just what is important. Published by Hachette @HachetteKids
It's your world now by Barry Falls. I love this one. Across the beautifully illustrated pages, Mums and Dads show their little ones the marvellous world, inspire them to become whatever they want to be, reassure them that they won't always live the dream or be the best, or know it all; but whatever they choose they will be loved. "So go and play and live and learn, it's your world now, this is your turn, to think and ask and make and do, this world is magic, just like you." Not strictly about sustainability or saving the world, but we have to start by inspiring our children that anything is possible, and that the magnificent world is worth saving. Published by Pavilion books @PavilionKidsBks
Recycling Fun with Peppa Pig. The children love Peppa and her family and friends, so this is a great way to get them interested in all things recycling. Published by Ladybird books @ladybirdbooks
The Lorax by Dr Seuss. Did you know that this was once banned as it was thought to be against the logging industry... ? Well I guess it is, and the Lorax send us a powerful message about the consequences of cutting down trees. And a message that resonates in these times - the trees can't speak for themselves so we must speak up for them. "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I'm asking you Sir at the top of my lungs..." @HarperCollinsUK
My life in 37 therapies, from yoga to hypnosis and why voodoo is never the answer by Kay Hutchison. Author Kay Hutchison (@37Therapies), https://kayhutchison.com/) writes about ways to stay kind to yourself and stay well. Part memoir and part guide, this book is Kay's journey of self-discovery.
No one is too small to make a difference by Greta Thunberg. All of Greta's speeches in a little book. Didn't take very long to read, but she has very powerful words and it makes you wonder, as you read it, actually WHY isn't anybody listening... And then you put your cynical grown up head on and realise that they probably are listening but just don't want to do anything to upset their capitalist political world view. So, keep listening, keep sharing and keep talking to your children and grandchildren about the science, and vote for parties that want to make a difference.
The colours of the cattle by Alexander McCall Smith. The latest in the No1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Will Precious decide to become a local councillor to help stop the development of the newly proposed Big Fun Hotel? I love this series. And for even more flavour of Botswana, watch Walking with Elephants (Levison Wood) on Channel 4 catch up. @LittleBrownUK
alphabetics | an aesthetically awesome alliterated alphabet anthology by patrick and traci concepciĆ³n, illustrated by dawid ryski. This is a book that is also aesthetically pleasing to look at and hold. And it does what it says on the cover - it an illustrated alphabet, and each page is described with an alliterative sentence. Funny too. (thanks to Little Gestalten @littlegestalten @gestaltennews @gestalten
The Blue Giant by Katie Cottle. @PavilionKidsBks @PavilionBooks @katiecottle_ To be published by Pavilion Books on 6th August 2020. Meera and her Mum are having a day at the beach with their little boat when the Blue Giant stops them in their tracks and asks for their help to clean up all the rubbish in the ocean. It's too much just for them to tackle on their own, but the message is that if we all join in, we can make the world and the oceans better for all living things. See https://www.katiecottle.com/ for more gorgeous illustrations.
The Green Giant by Katie Cottle. A lovely story about sowing seeds, playing trees and greening the city. Beautifully relevant. š
Thanks to @PavilionKidsBks @PavilionBooks @katiecottle_
The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth. When a group of friends settle in the unspoiled forest to live, there was dappled shade, a gentle breeze and beautiful trees. However, once they start to cut down trees for their bigger and bigger homes and fires and a wall to protect them form the wind, soon there is only one tree left. The Last Tree. But it's outside the wall, and only the children venture there, when the adults ask them to fetch more wood. But the children treasure the Last Tree, and soon realise the beauty it creates, and how they could begin again, taking down their wall and planting more trees and eventually a new forest.
Thanks to Pavilion Books #theLastTree@PavilionKidsBks @PavilionBooks @emilyhb
The Adventures of Captain Bobo "Bananas" by R.D.Dikstra and Kay Hutchison, illustrated by Matt Rowe. Captain Bobo and his crew have docked their ship the "Red Gauntlet" and made their way to the shore to get a cup of tea, when they hear some strange slurping noises. It turns out that this involves an elephant and some bananas. What ensues is a great adventure to get the elephant to the safari park. Young children will love these stories, and learn lots of new vocabulary as we hear about full ahead, full astern, levers, engines, the crew and the docks.
The Adventures of Captain Bobo "On the Rocks" by R.D.Dikstra and Kay Hutchison, illustrated by Matt Roew. The second instalment of the Captain Bobo series. This time, we find Captain Bobo and his crew on their ship packed with passengers on a sight seeing cruise, and the Chief engineer his apprentice Emma, making adjustments to the engine. Meanwhile, the crew of the rival ship "Thistle" are trying to beat Captain Bobo to the island by taking a shortcut through the Bannock Rocks. The captain, Basher, is so keen to "win" that he hits the rocks... More adventure as Billy the cabin boy saves the day, and everyone is safe in the end. These are lovely stories, set in a fictional part of Scotland, perfect for sharing at bedtime. Tigeropolis Kay Hutchison Author
I am reading | The Deepest Well, healing the long-term effects of childhood adversity, by Dr Nadine Burke-Harris. This is a really accessible introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences, the effects they have on children's brains, and how they can begin to heal. The author gives us a lot of information, telling it like a story, tracing her discoveries and revelations from her training through to her work in the Bayview Hunters Point neighbourhood of San Francisco. I think it's essential reading for anyone who works with young children and families, and it's well worth the read. I borrowed it from our local library. Nadine Burke Harris Bluebird: Books for Life
Where is Uncle Al? written by Eva Hibbs and illustrated by Sarah Harrison. It's a beautifully illustrated picture book with an accessible and sensitively told story, explaining death, demystifying grief and encouraging children to ask the questions that adults often find difficult to answer. This book will help adults to explain these issues to children as part of a story. It's about 6 year old Lily who has an Uncle she's never met. She asks why Uncle Al never visits, even though she's seen pictures of him... She gets various vague answers from the grown-ups, but it's her big sister that helps her to understand what they all mean.
Proceeds from the sale of the book go towards the charity Action for Children.
@actnforchildren @whereisuncleal evahibbs.com/whereis/uncleal
Find the book trailer here - https://vimeo.com/424749280
Do Grannies have green fingers by Fransie Frandsen. Beautifully designed, illustrated and written by the author, a former art psychotherapist. Part of a series called Alexander's questions, this is the first book, where Alexander tries to find out what Mummy means when she says Granny has green fingers. A funny story with incredibly cool collage style illustrations reminiscent of Lauren Child and Eric Carle. Find out more at www.fransiefrandsen.com or on instagram at artfox.bookwolf
Dixies Dolphins by Lydia Pettit. A rhyming story about a little girl called Dixie who just wants a morning swim in the sea but is afraid to get in with the dolphins. When she faces her fears and jumps in, she doesn't regret it. The author's illustrations perfectly show all the expressions on Dixie's face as she goes from excited to worried to joyful.
Thanks to Austin Macauley Publishers @AustinMacauley
The Beauty Myth (How images of beauty are used against women) by Naomi Wolf. Published in 1991 this book was an international best seller. I'm reading the Vintage abridged version. At the time, she says, the media repeated that "young women had rejected feminism and that the battles had all been won". But, she says, many of those battles had not been won, rather had been internalised. Women were becoming obsessed with physical perfection as opposed to household perfection. And so the cycle of feminism and post-feminism began again. The Beauty Myth is made up of all of those things that we become to believe in such as the need for make up, less wrinkles, not to age, to be aesthetically "beautiful" (whatever that means), all pushed along by consumerism, capitalism, workplace sexism and media imagery. There is good news though. She tells us how to escape the myth, through increasing self esteem and changing attitudes through activism and bringing generations of women together in solidarity. This is a very short book, but does give a good introduction to feminism, and hope for the future. @naomirwolf
Dear Ijeawele, a feminist manifesto in fifteen suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The author writes to her friend in response to the question "How do I raise my baby girl a feminist?" What follows are 15 suggestions for raising a feminist, for example number 3, "teach her that the idea of gender roles is absolute nonsense. Do not ever tell her that she should or should not do something because she is a girl." My favourite is number 5 "Teach Chizalum to read. Teach her to love books. The best way is by casual example. If she sees you reading books, she will understand that reading is valuable."
A short and essential guide to empowering a daughter to become a strong, independent woman.
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