Where's my Jumper? by Nicola Slater

A super-cute, super-fun book with flaps, die-cut pages, and a counting element too. Read it Daddy

My friend at Kinderbookswitheverything has a library display of knitting books and I spied this one with such an appealing cover. Take a look at her Pinterest of Yarn Yarns. 

"Rudy loved his pink jumper. It was a little bit short and showed his tummy. But it was his favourite. Then one Monday he woke up and it had gone!"

Rudy runs through the house desperate to find his jumper. His house is filled with creatures of all kinds - ten cats, nine llamas, eight piglets, seven dogs, six blackbirds, five sea creatures (in the blow up pool), four mice, three crocs, and two foxes but no one has his jumper. Where could it be? Turn one more page, lift one more flap and it is found. But what will Rudy do?

Sadly this book is out of print but you might find a copy a second hand copy - the board book (my was the hardcover edition) looks especially worth finding. 

A Song of Gladness by Michael Morpurgo illustrated by Emily Gravett

I've been talking every morning to a blackbird, telling him why we are so sad. He sits on his branch and listens.

In 2020 the world changed. Michael Morpurgo describes it is a year of sorrows. One morning he heard a blackbird singing in his garden. 

"Sensing his welcome, I sang back, echoing his song. We had a conversation. It sounds fanciful. At first I thought it was fanciful. But when he was there waiting for me, singing for me, every morning. I knew he was trying to get to know me, to tell me something, something important - urgent even."

That is the message you will find in this book. Our planet depends on us. We are all part of our planet and we have to care because our earth is precious and fragile.

The music for the blackbird's song is presented on the end papers. 

Travel the globe in this inspiring journey through the animal kingdom. A Song of Gladness is a timely reminder of the beauty and importance of the natural world from two of today's most celebrated children's book creators.  From a blackbird in a Devon garden to leopards in the African savanna, hibernating bears and chimpanzees high in the forest canopy, A Song of Gladness reminds us all of our connection with nature, and with each other, and the urgent need for us to join together in caring for the planet and every creature in it.

With beautiful illustrations by Emily Gravett this is a book that you should add to your Primary school or Preschool library. 

This story originally appeared in The Book of Hopes edited by Katherine Rundell - which is a book I have had on my to read pile for way too long.

Students from The Kings school have made a video of the text using their own illustrations. 

Wilder than Midnight by Cerrie Burnell

A baby is born but something is wrong. The mother takes the baby to huntsman and orders him to dispose of the child telling him she is dead. But this baby is not dead. The huntsman takes the tiny newborn to his own home and shortly after this he resigns from his job. Meanwhile the mother, who is actually the Queen, wants a replacement baby so sends her soldiers into the forest late at night and demands a young family surrender their new born baby girl. Baby Aurelia, as she is now named, is presented at her christening but someone arrives, not with a gift, but with a curse. When this girl pieces her finger on a spindle she will fall into a deep sleep and only the kiss from her true love will awaken her. 

Add to this mix a mysterious forest; dangerous wolves; local people under the tyrannical rule of an evil queen who forces them to work in her dangerous mines and three girls who form a team to reveal the truth and set Aurelia free. 

Here are some text quotes to give you a flavour of the writing:

Opening sentence: "At the edge of a fathomless forest, in a castle grey as could, a baby was born at the stroke of midnight. But, alas, all was not well."

"The scent of honeyed buns and baked currants reached Saffy through the cold. She flitted in through the open door of the bakery and breathed in happiness. On the counter were plates of creamy pastries, apple turnovers, sultana bread and slices of winter cake full of glistening cherries."

"Each wolf found its way to a member of the Forest Folk, and there they stood, heads and hearts level and aligned. ... Oak with her short dark hair, amazing knowledge of the forest and her red wolf named for her rare maple-leaf fur: Red. Jeremiah, the storyteller of the group ... his silver wolf Wisdom lingered by his side, her sharp intelligence glimmering like an aura. ... And Tobias - or Blackbeard - the protector of the group. With his bright eyes and rugged charm, stood with Rogue, his one-eyed cub."

When you pick up this book if you need a chapter to use as a book talk with a group in your library turn to chapter 19. It is filled with porridge, broken chairs, beds and bears but in a way that will delight you. 

If you love fairy tales then I am sure you will enjoy the alchemy of this story where so many favourites or elements of favourites are woven together. Red Riding Hood; Sleeping Beauty; Cinderella; Rapunzel; Goldilocks and the three bears; and the Snow Queen. This book is also a terrific page turner - I almost read it in sitting. Cerrie Burnell creates such a memorable atmosphere in the forest and in the tower where Aurelia is imprisoned and I loved the three feisty girls who work together to restore those two babies, now young girls, to their rightful families. 

Publisher blurb: Silverthorne is a place of secrets and stories. A forest full of twisting paths and tangled thorns. A castle with locked towers and murmurs of tragedy. A village trapped between terrors known and whispered. And something is stirring in the leaves . . . Saffy is a good girl, tired of being told to stick to the forest paths, and always follow the rules. Aurelia is a hidden girl, locked in a castle tower, dreaming of escaping the fate she's told awaits her Wild Rose is a fierce girl, raised by wolves, full of spells and fearlessness and cunning. Together, they will change Silverthorne forever.

I really enjoyed Wilder than Midnight but I went with four stars (nearly five) because I am not a fan of the cover (of course I am not the intended audience).

Wilder than Midnight will be published on 5th May, 2022. Here are some companion reads:

Cerrie Burnell is the author of twelve books. She appeared on the television show CBeebies. Just like Wild Rose in Wilder then Midnignt, Cerrie was born with a partly formed arm. 

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold illustrated by Levi Penfold

Rio's mum is very unwell. Rio has been coping with his mum and her strange behaviour all his life. Rio desperately wants his mother to be happy and he thinks it is up to him to make this happen. But now things have become way too hard for his mum, who is a concert violinist. His mum needs to go and stay in a special hospital in London and Rio is sent to Los Angeles and into the care of a grandmother he does not know.

His grandmother gives Rio a box of bis mother's treasures. Inside the box he finds a drawing of an amazing whale. It is named White Beak. Rio has very mixed up emotions and he is unable to communicate his fears to anyone but he is sure if he can find this whale his mother will be well again and they will be united. Luckily he is now living near the ocean and equally luckily he finds the perfect friend. Marina is the daughter of a man (Birch) who runs the local whale watching business. 

I did read The Lost Whale in one sitting and I enjoyed it but in some ways this book feels very similar to others with this same theme of healing a parent with mental illness; the dangers of ocean pollution and plastic to wild creatures like whales; and the journey of a young child as he tries to heal the hurt from the past. It felt a little too obvious to make Rio's mood match the mood of the ocean and a little contrived perhaps when he found the whale and then dived into the open ocean to have a special moment with this majestic creature but I don't think young readers 10+ will notice those tiny issues. At times I found Rio was little too angry and selfish especially when his grandmother was so kind and patient with him, but I enjoyed the final scenes where Rio, Marina, Birch (her dad) and his Grandmother (Fran) head out to find and ultimately rescue their precious whale. 

The theme of saving and being saved is definitely evident here, whatever your age. The adult will go on from thinking it's a book about saving the mother to saving Rio, but there is also the aspect of saving the whales and the entire ocean. The Book Bag

This book does contain references to mental illness but it is not as confronting as The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson. Rio's confusion is very similar to Jack in the book Small as an Elephant. My advance copy of The Lost Whale says this book was published on the 3rd March but I see from an online bookseller it will actually be released on 4th May, 2022. 

The Lost Whale is a companion volume (although this one has different characters) to The Last Bear. One special feature of both books are the splendid illustrations by Levi Pinfold. 

Look for these if you enjoy The Lost Whale:

The Truth of Me (absent parents who are musicians and an important grandparent)

Small as an Elephant

And two picture book companions would be:

The Whales' Song

The Tale of the Whale

Mighty Min by Melissa Castrillón

You're never too small to be mighty.

Young Min lives with her four aunts in a tiny house at the bottom of the garden. Min thinks she is too small to do anything heroic but one evening she is whisked away by a huge owl. He explains there is a monster in the garden and many of the smaller animals need to be rescued. 

Firstly Min finds the lost babies for a mother rabbit. Then she untangles the tail of a small mouse. All night she is kept busy. A beetle needs help to flip off his back; a grasshopper needs a bandage on his leg; and two snails need reassurance it is safe to come out of their shells.  But who is causing all of this terror? Min comes face to face with an enormous cat. She could run away but no, our little Min finds the perfect solution. She tames the cat by tickling it. Think about this. It is such a beautiful way to resolve the conflict. When she returns home she is so delighted to share her own mighty tale. You can see inside this book here. 

Here are some other books illustrated by Melissa Castrillon:

Nano

Dear Little One

If the idea of miniature worlds interests you here is a fairly new picture book you could investigate. 

I would also pair this book with a very old (long out of print) book I adore:

You might also look for the movie Arrietty from studio Ghibli which is based on the novel The Borrowers by Mary Norton. 

Frog series by Max Velhuijs

 

At a recent charity book sale I picked up a couple of books from the Frog series by Max Velthuijs. Reading them today I marvel at the way these simple books for young children contain such wisdom.The series begins with Frog is Frog. My favourite is Frog is a Hero. I need to add this one to my own collection. 

Wikipedia have a page devoted to this series: Frog "observes daily events from a childlike perspective, offering children insight into social interactions. In Frog's world, there is no status. All the animals are the same size, which gives them absolute equality. Every animal has its own personality and skills. Frog and his friends enjoy life and deal with real life issues, such as fear, love, sadness, and loss, making these difficult subjects and emotions more understandable for children. At the end of each book, there's always a positive solution for the dilemma's the animals face."

Max Velthuijs received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2004 he died in 2005.

Here are three I have added to my shelves:

Frog and the Stranger (1993)

Is this new fellow a filthy dirty rat? A greedy fellow? A thief? No he is not. He is kind. He has stories to tell of his travels around the world. He is clever and can even speak three languages. Frog is keen to make a new friend but it will take several disasters to convince Duck, Hare and Pig that Rat does not deserve the harsh judgements they levelled at him before taking time to get to know him.

Blurb: When a rat comes to live at the edge of their wood, the animals decide they don't like having a stranger in their midst. But Frog is friendly by nature, and decides to find out if Rat is really as unpleasant as he is made out to be. As Frog discovers, Rat is intelligent and good-hearted, and proves in a series of unexpected emergencies that the other animals have been too quick to condemn him.

Key sentences: "He may be different from us, but he's not doing anything wrong and the wood belongs to everyone."  "Different said Frog, but we're all different."

Themes: New friends; Suspicion; Listening; Prejudice; Acceptance of difference; Kindness; Strangers

Frog and the Wide World (1998)

In a previous book (Frog and the Stranger) we met Rat. In this new installment Rat is setting off on an adventure. Frog asks if he can come along too but Frog is not really prepared for the long walk and sleeping outdoors. After a couple of days Frog becomes quite homesick so Rat agrees to lead him home. When all the friends are gathered together Frog describes his adventure with Rat in glowing terms. This ending is sure to make you smile. I would pair this book with The Trip to Panama by Janosch.

Blurb: When Frog hears that Rat is off in an adventure to explore the wide world, he excitedly joins him and they set off full of anticipation. But it doesn't take long for Frog to start missing his friends Pig, Duck and Hare. He soon discovers that he was much happier leaving the wide world where it was, far from home. . .

Key Sentence: "Right now, we're on our way to foreign lands. Look around you! See how beautiful it is? And every where is the unknown." "You're not ill, you're homesick."

Themes: Adventures; Journeys; Patience; Perseverance; Home; Storytelling.

Frog finds a Friend (2001)

Frog finds a teddy bear lying in the grass. He is sure given time and patience he can teach the bear to talk and indeed this is exactly what happens. Little Bear and Frog become great friends until one day Bear decides to leave. Frog is so upset but then one morning Frog wakes up to find Little Bear has returned - this is his true home.

Blurb: One fine autumn day, Frog finds a little bear lost and alone in the forest. He decides to take him home to be his new friend. Hare tells him bear won't be able to talk, but Frog is determined to teach him. And to the other animals' surprise, he does! They become the best of friends, but one day, little bear decides to go back to where he came from. Frog is inconsolable - will he ever see him again?

Key sentences: "He went up closer and saw that it was a little brown bear wearing a red sweater. It had beady black eyes and there was a teardrop on its cheek." "Before going to sleep, Frog told little bear fairytales and taught him words such as apple, rose moon ..."

Themes: New friends; Patience; Toys; Imagination; Kindness.

Here are all twelve Frog titles:

• Frog and a very Special Day Frog 
• Finds a Friend 
• Frog in Winter 
• Frog is a Hero 
• Frog and the Treasure 
• Frog is Frog 
• Frog and the Wide World 
• Frog is Frightened 
• Frog and the Birdsong 
• Frog in Love 
• Frog and the Stranger 
• Frog is Sad

The quiet blend of curiosity, respect, and joy in Velthuijs's text is enhanced by the simplicity of his bright, beautifully designed art. Kirkus (Frog and the Birdsong)

Dear Little One by Nina Laden illustrated by Melissa Castrillón

 "Care for this world. It will be a friend to you, and be there 

for your children and their children too."

A couple of days ago I talked about Dear Earth. Tonight I discovered Dear Little One - these two books could be read side by side.

Here is part of the text:

"Dear Little One, You time on Earth has just begun. Take in the sights. Take in the sound. Take in the sents that excite and astound. Celebrate flowers. Be grateful for bees. Their work bears fruit. Worship the trees."

I mentioned Melissa Castrillón in a previous post - she is my new favourite illustrator discovery! Here is an interview with Melissa where you can see more of her art. 

Alongside each shining suggestion from Nina Laden, are intricate, winding illustrations from Melissa Castrillón, reminiscent of the historical botanical pictures of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Bookwagon

Laden and Castrillón have paired to create a lush, visually stunning ode to the beauty of nature. School Library Journal

You can see more books by Nina Laden here. 

The Girl who Planted Trees by Caryl Hart illustrated by Anastasia Suvorova

This book reminded me of Manjhi Moves a Mountain because here we have another book about patience, perseverance and holding fast to dreams. The young girl in this book discovers from her grandfather that once, long ago, the bare mountains near her home were covered with a beautiful green forest. Over time all of the trees have been cut down. 

This young girl is a problem solver. She is determined to fill the mountain with trees once again. So she takes a few seeds from her fruit and plants them at the top of the mountain. Sadly they do not grow into an instant forest. Her grandfather explains it will take a long time for trees to grow and of course any plants up on the dry mountain will need water. 

This is just a small obstacle for our young hero. She talks to people in her town and gathers a bigger collection of seeds. 

"Every day, she planted more seeds and watered them well. And soon the seeds began to sprout!"

The top of the mountain now has a small patch of green. But then disaster strikes. A huge storm destroys every tree - the tiny saplings were just too fragile. If you are sharing this book with a group of older children you could stop at this point and talk about what the children in your class or library might do if this happened to them.  Then keep reading and marvel at the perseverance and patience and wonderful work ethic of this girl. Everyone is sure to cheer when you see how her community responds too.

The Girl who Planted Trees is a new book from the wonderful publisher Nosy Crow (you can see inside this book) and it is available in paperback. Caryl Hart has written lots of books and I am also very keen to see another book illustrated  by Anastasia Surorova:

There are lots of books you could read alongside The Girl who Planted Trees:

The Secret Sky Garden

The Curious Garden

You should also look for one or two of these biographies:

This is a Gift for You by Emily Winfield Martin

There seems to be a slight avalanche of books lately with advice for children - often either for a boy or for a girl but of course many are for both too. Lots of these, I think, will appeal to adults more than children themselves. Perhaps the publishers are aiming at grandparents or godparents or other close relatives who are looking for a book to gift to a new baby or young child.

This gift is for you reads like a poem. Kirkus say it feels like an extended greeting card. Here is Emily Winfield Martin's web page. I previously talked about her novel Snow and Rose. 

Here is part of the text from "This gift is for you". 

This gift is for you:

Just something little and out of the blue.

This is a thing that's true:

The best treasures fit in a pocket (or two).

This is a thing I know:

If we watch the world closely ...Magic will show.

Sp I'll give you this world like a lucky blue stone ...

The gift of alone ... And not being alone.

Emily Winfield Martin has another book in this genre:

You could pair this with one of these:

This is a new Australian picture book published in March, 2022. 

 have talked previously about an Evie Barrow book - I saw Pete and Pete saw me