The Pearl in the Ice by Cathryn Constable

Marina is about to be sent off to a school for young ladies. She has no desire to become a lady. She would much rather join her father, a naval Commander, on his ship the Neptune sailing off to Cadiz in Spain.

Before I continue with the plot just take a closer look at the names here - Marina - the place for a boat to dock. The ship is called the Neptune - he is the Roman god of the sea. If you look at my post labels you will see I have listed mermaids. Here are some descriptions of Marina's mother who disappeared some years ago:

"She called up a hazy vision of a pale face with large dark eyes. There was long dark hair, like trailing seaweed. Ropes of pearls that hung down over the stiff bodice of a green silk dress with lace ruffles, like white caps on waves. And two canes topped with mother-of-pearl leaning against her chair, which her mother used if she had to walk."

Speaking of descriptions here is another important one. On the day she is supposed to be heading to school, the day her father is supposed to be sailing to Spain, Marina jumps onto a different train - the one heading to Portsmouth. A strange woman joins Marina in the carriage. This lady, Miss Gaby Smith secretary to the First Sea Lord, seems to ask lots of questions and she even pays Marina's first class fare when the ticket collector arrives.

"A young woman in a neat blue-and-white striped suit with a white ruffled blouse had appeared in the corridor behind the guard. She wore a small straw hat perched on top of a pile of exuberant auburn hair. ... The woman clipped her consonants when she spoke. Where was she from? She was wearing very clean white crocheted gloves. Her skirt was so daringly short that it showed an inch of calf above the top of her neatly laced red boots."

Nothing sinister here? Perhaps. Just a tiny hint about her accent. But then Marina sees this mysterious woman again. She appears in Svengejar, the most northerly port in the Grand Duchy of Finnmark.  Before Marina can catch up to Miss Smith on the streets of this remote sea port, her father whisks her away back onto his ship, the Sea Witch. Marina's father was not travelling to Cadiz in Spain on the Neptune. Instead he tells Marina his mission is to repair a broken communications transmitter which is located in a remote inland part of Pechorin Island. The real purpose of this mission, however, will leave you breathless and the true identity of Miss Smith is sure to be a huge shock to all readers just as it is to Marina herself. What is going on here? And how is Marina's mother linked to this strange Northern Arctic military base? And what are we to make of the title - The Pearl in the Ice?

The Pearl in the Ice is a gripping story of heroism, betrayal and complex relationships. I often think about school libraries that like to use genre stickers. This book would need several - Adventure, Mystery, War, Spies, Thriller, Fantasy and Relationships.  

You can read the first ten pages on the Chicken House page. Click these quotes to read more plot details. 

Disturbing memories of her mute mother haunt Marina. Her mother has been gone for a long time, and she has been brought up by her father, the commander of a ship. Marina longs to be noticed by her father, but he has secrets of his own. Book Trust

I absolutely loved reading along with her journey and I loved that there was something going on underneath it all. You could feel that something wasn’t quite what it seemed but you couldn’t quite work out what it was … Daydreamers Thoughts

By basing her book half in reality and half not, Constable sets up some wonderful tension in her characters; the reader having to guess who is speaking the truth, and who not. Minerva Reads

It’s a story to make young readers believe anything is possible, and all the better for that. Books for Keeps

I would pair this book with The Seven Professors of the far North.

You might also enjoy Monster Odyssey - The eye of Neptune.

Ride the Wind by Nicola Davies illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino

In order to understand kindness perhaps you need also experience unkindness. The same might apply to the concepts of empathy and anger. 

Tomas, a fisherman, has lost his wife. He grief has turned into anger. Javier, his son, has lost his mother. He is afraid of his father but he is also desperate for love. When an albatross is caught in their fishing net Javier is able to pour his love and kindness into the care of this glorious bird. She reminds him of his mother. Tomas does not want his son to keep the bird but in contrast the people in the town are so kind. Senora Araya gives him ointment, Senor Ortiz gives him a soft bed for the bird and Senorita Vidal supplies small fish for "just a little money."

Then comes the day his father has said they must release the bird. It is a day of wild wind and big seas. Javier is so pleased because this means his father will not be able to set sail but when he arrives home he makes a devastating discovery. His father has sold the bird. Now it is Javier who is angry but he turns his anger into action. He runs off to find the man who has his bird. 

"Javier smashed his way into the car and took the bird from her prison. The police would be called, but he didn't care."

Now we come to the most dramatic scene. Tomas sees his son running towards the cliff. Javier is not thinking about the cliff, he is thinking about his bird and the wind and freedom for his albatross. His only intention is to see the bird fly home. Tomas, however, has no thoughts about this bird. He thinks he is going to lose his son. The depth of his anger and his withdrawal from the world have been so profound. Tomas needs to be shocked in order to understand just how precious his son truly is. He sees his son disappear over the cliff edge but his son is not gone.

"He took his son in his arms and held him, knowing that nothing, nothing, nothing in all the world was more precious."

The word placement in this book is perfection. Look at these contrasts:

rough seas ... colours of the little houses gleamed against the green slopes

icy water ... (the boat) chugged into port like a clucking hen

weak and childish ... ointments to heal its wounds, an old bed for a nest

furious, scowled, stormed out ... patted his nephew's shoulder, (his face) lit up with a smile exactly like his mother's

The emotional arc of this book is also perfect. Yes the anger of Tomas is harsh and upsetting. But the ending where the father is reunited with his son is heartwarming and so very real. An adult reader might think Javier planned to jump off the cliff perhaps to return to his own mother but I truly think all Javier wants is for this huge and beautiful bird to fly away, to fly away and find her mate, her own true love.

I would share this book with a child aged 7+ making sure there is plenty of time to talk about the relationship between Javier and his father. My own dad was often quite angry. I don't think we need to shelter kids from this emotion but it does need to be handled carefully.

In this guest post Nicola Davies talks to Walker books about her book and her interest in the albatross.

I have mentioned Salvatore Rubbino previously on this blog - Our very own dog; and I discover he is the illustrator of the poetry book Orange Silver Sausage. His art in Ride the Wind is almost tactile. The end papers are wonderful and the storm clouds on the last pages allow the tenderness of Tomas hugging his son to really shine.

I have also talked about Nicola Davies. She was a major guest speaker at the last USBBY conference held in Austin, Texas in 2019. Here are just a few of her books you should explore:

Nicola Davies includes some facts about the albatross in her book. Read more here.

I would pair Ride the Wind with Fly by Jess McGeachin and The Storm Whale by Benji Davies.

Max and Tallulah: A little love story by Beverley Goodling

Take a look at the publisher trailer from PaRRagon Books (yes that's really how it is written with the capital letters in the middle of the word):

"Max loved Tallulah with all with his heart. But he was too shy to tell her."

Max tries to make Tallulah notice him. He gathers a basket of her favourite fruit but it falls into the river; he learns to dance but Tallulah does not look up from her grazing; finally Max decides to make a eye catching hat. He collects leaves, flowers and insects. Max is sure this huge magnificent hat will impress Tallulah. Oh no - it actually frightens her and she runs away. Max has one more idea. Perhaps he should be "just Max". 

"Max smiled at Tallulah and Tallulah smiled back!"

A love story in a picture book - bliss! Max and Tallulah was published in 2014 so sadly it is out of print but you may find a copy in a well stocked library.  When you do find this book take a look at the end papers - they are filled with red hearts. You could share this book any time but it would also be the perfect book for Valentines Day.  Here is Max in his hat.

Here are three other books I need to investigate - picture book love stories:

Nuts! by Lou Peacock and Yasmeen Ismail

Two squirrels are out collecting nuts. The boy finds his and the girl finds hers. They both start to load up their carts but when they see each other the confrontation begins. Other animals join in the battle- taking sides.Then rabbit, the peacemaker, arrives. He tries to show this pair of youngsters there is a way to compromise but there is NO WAY either squirrel is giving up those acorns. Perhaps they need some time to think. Can the "my nuts" be changed to "our nuts"? Yes it can thank goodness but what about those apples over there?

This book has around 35 words! Seems difficult to comprehend but in just 35 words and 32 pages your preschool companion will enjoy a funny story that also packs an emotional punch and perhaps open the discussion to the complex topic of sharing.

When I see the name Yasmeen Ismail on the cover of a book I know it will be fabulous!

This memorable story will help toddlers (and caregivers) connect behavior to the language of sharing. Kirkus

My tooth is lost! A Monkey and Cake book by Drew Daywalt illustrated by Olivier Tallec

Monkey has lost his tooth. Cake, his friend, explains about the tooth fairy and money and how impossible it will be to use that tooth again. But is he right?

Visiting my favourite school library is one of the highlights of my week especially since (even though I am not a student) the friendly Teacher-Librarian is happy for me to borrow any book I like. Last week I talked about Spark from the Tiny Tales series by Canadian author Kallie George. This week I headed over to the same section and I found My Tooth is lost! A Monkey and Cake book. Boy oh boy oh boy this is such FUN! I am not the intended audience but I fell about laughing when I read and then reread My Tooth is lost!

Have you read the Mo Williems books about Elephant and Piggie?  The Monkey and Cake book series use the same question and answer format employing colour as a way to distinguish the two voices in the odd ball converstation:

Hello, Monkey.

Hello, Cake.

You look sad.

I am sad.

Why are you sad?

I lost a tooth.

You lost a tooth? But that is a not a bad thing. That is a good thing.

I would pair this book with the Mo Willems title I lost my Tooth:

Take a look here to see one of the book in this series - What is inside THIS box? Drew Daywalt is famous for his crayons books and Olivier Tallec is a French illustrator. Here is a work sheet but really I would just add this book to a Primary school or preschool library - no need for simple worksheets - just enjoy this book -  simply because it is such fun.

If you would like to move beyond the idea that these are just simple and funny books take a look at this interesting perspective.

From Stella Street to Amsterdam and everything that happened by Elizabeth Honey

From Stella Street to Amsterdam is the fifth book in the series which began with 45 and 47 Stella Street and everything that happened. The original instllment was first published in 1995 and was awarded a CBCA honour in 1996. Twenty-five years later we can meet up with Henni once again but luckily she is not 25 years older. The newest instalment is due for publication in September.

Henni's Stella Street neighbour, Willa, is desperate to return to her home land - The Netherlands - specifically to Amsterdam. Willa's sister is unwell and there is a family wedding to attend but these are not the real reasons. Willa left Amsterdam just after WWII but she is haunted by events during the Nazi occupation. Willa has fragments of memory. She is driven by the need to complete a task set by her mother (Moeder). All she knows is she has to protect something called The Blue dog.  It is not a dog, it is not a place, it is some sort of object. This mystery also has a connection to a horrifying event. 

Willa's full name is Wilhelmina Roos Petronella van Veen. Her family call her Roos. During the war Willa's van Veen family were friends with a Jewish couple - Sara and Matius. As things become dangerous in the German occupied city, Moeder organises for her friends to come and hide. After many months of keeping the young Jewish couple safe Willa accidentally opens the front door and Sara is seen by a cousin of the family. The events echo the story of Anne Frank. What follows is betrayal, capture and ultimately the deaths of Sara and Matius.

These are the events of the past but Henni also has to negotiate her visit to modern day Amsterdam. She has to meet all the members of Willa's family. She has to master some of the language, learn how to navigate bike riding through the busy city and she has to make connections between all the people she meets. Henni discovers there are life changing secrets today with links to the events of the past.

In anther story thread Henni gives us the background to her trip, we can read her emails to family and friends back in Stella Street in Australia, and Henni, an aspiring writer, also shares her poetry writing.

This book has 432 pages and many story threads. It is a book that will be enjoyed by readers aged 11+ who have plenty of time and reading stamina. There are some harrowing references to the holocaust and (as they say on television) occasional strong language. This is an engrossing story. Yes it is a long book but I read from page 130 on wards in one sitting. I recommend From Stella Street to Amsterdam. It is well worth taking this journey of discovery with Henni Octon. 

Here is the original cover for 45 and 47 Stella Street and the newer one:

Here is the cover of the Dutch edition of 45 & 47 Stella Street:

Here are the other three books in the series:

Or you can read the first three Stella Street stories in this bind-up edition which has 672 pages!

I mentioned 45 & 47 Stella Street received a CBCA Honour. In 1996 the CBCA winner was Swashbuckler by James Moloney and The Big Bazoohley by Peter Carey was an honour book. I have shared some other books by Elizabeth Honey on this blog - Not a Nibble and Princess Beatrice and the Rotten Robber.

If you would like to read more about art that was hidden away during WWII I highly recommend this book - here are two different covers for Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Tiny Tales by Kallie George illustrated by Genevieve Cote

 

I am so excited to discover this series - Tiny Tales - Spark; Flare and Splash. Flare, for example, has five short chapters spread over 32 pages. Flare is a phoenix and he boasts that he never cries. High in the sky Cloud, Sky and Wind watch over Flare. They decide they need to show Flare how to cry and so each in turn sets up a situation to "test" Flare. Cloud drops rain all over Flare but that doesn't work. Wind makes howling noises showing Flare what crying sounds like but that plan doesn't work. Now it is the turn of Sun - third time lucky. Sun takes Flare through the woods to see a tiny baby bird that has fallen out of his nest. Flare feels so sad - what can he do? He begins to cry and his tears heal the baby bird. Phoenix tears are magic.

Kallie George is the author of a wonderful series - The Heartwood Hotel. Spark, Flare and Splash are written for a much younger audience. These little treasures are perfect for newly independent readers. And of course they also contain very satisfying stories. These were published in 2014 and 2016 but they are all still available.

Here is the blurb for each book:

Book One Spark:

"Spark is a little dragon with a big problem. He can't control his fiery breath. Even practising doesn't help. Will Spark ever be able to tame his flame? The first book in an early reader series about baby magic animals, "Spark" is a gentle reminder that there is a perfect time for everything."

Kirkus Review

Book Two Flare: 

"Flare is a tough little phoenix. He never cries. But everyone needs to cry sometimes. Will his guardians, Sun, Wind and Cloud, find a way to show him how? The second book in the Tiny Tails series provides comforting reassurance that it's okay to express our emotions."

Book Three Splash: 

"Splash is a little sea serpent who makes big splashes. But sea serpents need to be quiet sometimes. Will Splash learn how to keep calm? The third book in the Tiny Tails series explores the notion of self-control in a playful way."

Click on each cover image here to read reviews of each title.

Here are two page examples so you can see the text level, text size and use of white space - all perfect ingredients for a beginner:

If, like me, you're ready for something new in easy readers, these are a perfect choice. Accessible text and lovely illustrations will make these a favorite with both parents and children. Highly recommended. Jean Little Library

Tyson the Terrible by Diane and Christyan Fox

In my last post I talked about Little Tom and the trip to the Moon.  Here is another preschool book by the talented husband and wife team of Diane and Christyan Fox.

At it's heart this is a book about preconceived ideas. The little dinosaurs have not met Tyson but they have heard some terrible rumours and seen pictures of Tyson in the Dinosaur Weekly:

"I've heard he's got six hundred razor sharp teeth."

"They say he eats seventeen dinosaurs for breakfast EVERY DAY."

"He's taller than a mountain ... his claws are like knives ... He's always really angry."

Little Stegg, Serra and Plod can hear a boom boom boom coming their way. It gets louder and louder. Finally another dinosaur arrives. Has he been making all that noise?

"Nobody ever wants to play with me!' wailed a little voice."

Did you notice the important word 'little'? These are the words of a tiny tyrannosaurus. Stegg, Serra and Plod are happy to pay football with this little guy - he is not fierce or scary at all. BUT ... then their new friend asks:

"Can my little brother play too?"  This brother is NOT little - in fact he is so big the page has to fold out and expand so we can see all of him. YES it is Tyson!  Take a look at this video to see the whole book.

Hopefully you can find this book in a well stocked library because it was first published in 2006 and so is now out of print. All preschoolers will love meeting this little band of dinosaurs and their "new" big friend Tyson.

Little Tom and the trip to the Moon by Diane and Christyan Fox

 "They're not Wellingtons, they're ... anti gravity boots"

"They're not bottles, they're ... oxygen tanks."

A few years ago our Kindergarten teachers decided the theme for the term would be based around using your imagination. Little Tom and the trip to the Moon is a delightful exploration of imaginative play. This is a book that every preschool child will love. I do hope you can find it in a library because sadly it is out of print. It was first published in 2009. I found my copy in a wonderful school library.  I loved their book A dog called Bear and I was keen to read more titles by Diane and Christyan Fox.

I love the patient mum or dad - who is off stage -  asking about each object Tom collects for his game of space travel. AND the ending will knock your socks off!

Take a look here to see all the books by this talented husband and wife team.

Out of Nowhere by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Beetle and his friend Caterpillar enjoy picnics on their rock. In the evenings, while Beetle sleeps, Caterpillar gazes at the moon. Stop right here - yes this is a friendship between a beetle and a caterpillar. No problem with that except it's a caterpillar!! What will happen? Now read about Farfallina and Marcel.  

Yes, the little caterpillar is going to change - he is going to make his cocoon.  Remember the famous book The Very Hungry Caterpillar ...

Beetle does not know about metamorphosis. All he knows is his friend has disappeared. Your young reader now knows more than poor old Beetle - we can all see the cocoon is under the rock ledge but Beetle does not think to look down. He sees a glimpse of red in the forest and so he picks up the very heavy picnic basket and sets off to find his true friend. It is a beautiful moment when the pair of friends are reunited. These words are so important:

 "Then I looked more closely. And I just knew. It was my friend! She had changed a little bit but it was still my friend all the same."

One of the truly special aspects of this book is the way Chris Naylor-Ballesteros allows the pictures to speak for themselves. There are four double page spreads with no text.  His pencil illustrations in black and white with an accent of the red caterpillar and later red butterfly give a 'child like' quality to this book which would be perfect to read aloud to a preschool group.

I adored The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros so when I saw his name on the cover of Out of Nowhere I grabbed this book!

I would pair Out of Nowhere with these:

Little Bird Lost by Patricia Hegarty illustrated by Sebastiaan Van Doninck

It is time for Little Bird to fly away with his flock but he has badly damaged his wing in a flying accident. Luckily Little Bird meets Deer and Deer kindly offers to carry Little Bird. They set off ask advice from the animals in the forest. Bear has told them the flock will be heading towards the sun to find somewhere warm.

Deer and Little Bird walk through the days of Summer, Autumn, Winter and finally in Spring Little Bird is reunited with his flock and in a beautiful moment Deer finds a special friend too. Along the way the pair of new friends play games, share stories and sing songs.

This is a perfect little easy chapter book for newly independent readers.It has a predictable structure (following the seasons), an strong emotional arc and best of all some sweet touches of humour. I especially laughed at the character of Porcupine.  It is so wonderful to see the care the publisher, Little Tiger, have taken with this book. The illustrations are vibrant and at times quite powerful (take a look a the attack of the wolf), the cover is appealing, the end papers are fun images of Little Bird and his crazy antics and most of all I appreciate the beautiful quality of the paper used in Little Bird Lost and other books in this series. There are eleven titles so far. Here are some I have on my "to read" list:

Take a look at the art of Dutch illustrator Sebastiaan Van Doninck.  I have talked about another book by Patricia Hegarty in a previous post - Bee. She is the author of several books illustrated by the brilliant illustrator Britta Teckentrup.

The Ricker Racker Club by Patrick Guest illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom

Rules of the Ricker Racker Club

1. Be a boy
2. Girls can join but only on Tuesdays
3. Do something incredibly brave or kind at least once a week

Brothers Max and Ollie invent their club, the rules, the secret handshake, password and mascot - a turtle named Albert. 

Poppy, their sister, would like to join this club. She is a smart smart smart girl! She is just like the suffragettes of history with their slogan "Deeds not Words". Poppy watches more and more boys join the club. Each day she quietly follows rule number three. She gives her two brothers

• two scoops of her jelly and ice cream
• cleans their bedroom
• promises to eat their vegetables for a month
• and she gives them her tooth fairy money

In the fifth week Albert, the turtle mascot, wanders into danger. The five boys try to save him but it is clever Poppy who knows just what to do. Poppy does something incredibly brave. At last the boys can see Poppy should join their club - they even make her their Queen.

I don't know how I missed this Australian children's picture book in 2016. Sadly this book is now out of print but I am sure it will be found in many Australian primary school libraries. I wonder why it was not included in the CBCA Notables of 2017 and from there the short list? Yes it is that good.

I love that this tale has an olden-day feel to it--of outdoor adventure and acts of bravery and excitement … Kids Book Review

So much to like in this book; the rhythm of the text, the bountiful illustrations, the well defined characters and the strong messages of acceptance and empathy. Reading Time

Lamont have written a set of teachers notes. If you have a Story Box library subscription you can view the whole book. You can see other books illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom here.

Conker and Nudge by Adria Meserve

 

Sometimes little brothers, who might bother you, can also be heroes!

Nudge loves his older brother Conker. Nudge adores his older brother. Nudge wants to be just like his brother. Nudge hangs around all day trying to copy Conker until finally Conker decides he wants to spend time with his own friends and he leaves Nudge behind. Three friends head off on an adventure and everything goes well until they are attacked by a jaguar. Capybara dives into a hole. Armadillo curls up into a ball but Conker has nowhere to hide. Can you guess who comes to his rescue?

If you are talking about sibling rivalry or you have two kids (boys perhaps) who don't always get along this is a perfect book. It is not didactic - Conker is mostly okay with young Nudge and the way his little brother copies everything Conker does. Yes in the end the two boys (anteaters) do make friends again (mostly).

I said when I started this blog in 2008 I would share new discoveries and old favourites. Conker and Nudge is a new discovery for me but it is not a new book, it was first published in 2008. Yes it is now sadly out of print. You might be lucky like me a find a copy in a well stocked library.

You can see the whole book here. 

Here is another book by Adria Meserve:

You could follow Conker and Nudge with a few simple non fiction books about the curious anteater and possibly also the capybara and armadillo: