Carrie and the Roller Blade Boots by Lisa Thompson illustrated by Jess Rose

In the children's school each week there is an assembly called Friday Fun Time. The young children (I imagine in Kindergarten or perhaps Grade One) are allowed to come on the stage and share their special talent. Sidney has been learning to tap dance. It is not easy but he has been practicing for a long time ready for his special moment. But what about Carrie - she is his friend - but does she have a special talent? 

Carrie and Sidney like to watch a talent show on television and one day they see a girl doing amazing tricks wearing roller boots. "As luck would have it" Carrie and her dad see some roller boots in a local charity shop and by an amazing coincidence they are exactly the right size.  Carrie expects to put in the boots and begin to skate up a storm - but of course she falls down and down and down. Will Carrie master this new skill and can she please say yes to the offer of help from her best friend Sidney. I am sure many young readers will relate to the ups and downs of this story. 

Bookseller blurb: Carrie's best friend Sidney is planning to show off his tap-dancing skills during Friday Fun Time at school and Carrie wants to join in. She plans an amazing routine where Sidney will dance and she will roller skate. But there's one big problem .... Carrie has never roller skated before. Will the performance end in disaster or will their friendship help them to dazzle the audience?

Carrie and the Roller Blade Boots is the second book featuring Sidney. The library I visit each week do something very helpful for the children. They add a little yellow circle sticker on the front cover of books in a series and add a number. I would have had no idea Carrie and the Roller Boots was the second book about these two friends. Note it is not the second book in the Little Gems series just the second book by Lisa Thompson where we meet Sidney and Carrie. 

Sidney Makes a Wish

I have talked previously about this series called Little Gems published by Barrington Stoke. Pop that name in my side bar or click the label at the bottom of this post. I know school library budgets here in Australia are shrinking but if you can afford to add books to your library, I highly recommend the Little Gems.

Here are some of the famous authors who write for this series: Holly Webb, Michael Morpurgo, Anne Fine, Dick King Smith, Jeremy Strong, Nick Sharratt, Alexander McCall Smith, Eoin Colfer, Ian Beck, Joseph Coelho and Julia Donaldson. 

Little Gems are gorgeous early reader chapter books, written by the cream of children’s talent, with super-readable layouts and design, and a chunky friendly format. Each Little Gem is fully illustrated and they are packed with fun extras and activities. The Little Gems are published with high quality cream paper, the special Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page.

The Missing Bunny by Holly Webb illustrated by Antonia Woodward

Bookseller blurb: Annie is really excited about her new pet rabbits and can’ t wait to welcome them into the amazing new home her dad has built for them. But when Annie is in a rush to get to school the next morning, she doesn’t check that the door to the hutch is shut properly, and one of the rabbits, Humbug, escapes. Can Annie find Humbug in time to save her from the neighbourhood fox … ?

There is just the right amount of tension and emotion in this story. Annie loves her two bunnies but it isn't really a surprise when one escapes after the hutch is not quite shut properly. Luckily little Humbug does not go to far and luckily Annie is brave enough to check her garden late that night so we can all enjoy the happy ending. 

This book is from the Little Gems series by Barrington Stoke. I love these little books for these reasons:

• The paper is the very best quality - so these books will last a long time in a library
• They have colour illustrations which will appeal to beginning readers
• Barrington Stoke ask top UK authors (and illustrators) to write these simple little stories
• The stories are easy to understand and so well written they are sure to be enjoyed by young readers and by parents too
• Every book contains a bonus puzzle or two - I do enjoy doing these
• The size is perfect - slightly smaller than a regular paperback novel
• There are so many titles in this series you are sure to find one you will enjoy
• These books are perfect for readers aged 6-8
• Here in Australia these books are priced between AUS$11 and AUS$20.

Holly Webb is the author of over 150 books for all ages not just these Little Gems. I am sure you will find some of her books in your school or public library. 

Here are two more titles she has written for the Little Gems series:

You might also look for The Beach Puppy

Budgie by Joseph Coelho illustrated by David Barrow

 

Miles loves to climb trees even though there are not too many of them outside his tower block of apartments. As he reaches the top of one tall tree an old man named Mr Buxton shouts at Miles and scares the young boy and his friends. The next day Miles finds tiny bird - a little yellow and green budgie. 

"I dart forward and carefully scoop it up in my hands. Its body feels weak, like an empty eggshell, but its heart is strong. I can feel it thumping through its body. I cup the budgie to my chest and rush home."

Miles names the little bird Pippin. He settles the tiny creature into a small box and feeds it some bread crumbs and water. 

"I run my fingers over the crayon box of its feathers, the bright sunburst of its head, the apple candy of its tummy down each wing with their black and yellow flecks. Its feathers feel a-kiss-on-an-eyelid soft."

The next morning Miles sees the box is empty and the window is open - I gasped - but it is okay Pippin is happily flying around the kitchen. Sadly, this is his final flight and day of life. I know this is a spoiler but if you are planning to share this book with a young child, I think you need to know that Pippin does die. Later we discover this is a very old budgie. He belonged to Mr Buxton and so now the story focus shifts to why Mr Buxton was so upset to see Miles climbing trees and how Mr Buxton came to own the budgie he named Lemon. I would suggest this book is for readers aged 7+.

The connection between Mr. Buxton and Miles is not only touching but encourages those intergenerational friendships which seem to be so undervalued in society. As the elderly are forgotten, so are their stories. Yet Mr. Buxton reminds us that we can learn so much from older people and their experiences and that they need connection too.  The Bread Crumb Forest

I have been waiting for quite a while to read this book. The cover really appealed to me especially because I once had a little budgie exactly like the one on this cover. 

Easy to read by readers of a wide range of ages, Budgie shows that stories that carry big emotions can be simply written. Julia Eccleshare LoveReading4Kids

Deep and meaningful stories do not need to be long to leave a lasting impression. Joseph Coelho’s Barrington Stoke debut proves that they can be short, wonderful, moving and accessible to young readers ... A word about books

I need to make a special mention of the art in Budgie by David Barrow. You can see his work on Instagram. Budgie is a title from the Little Gems series - click that label at the bottom of this post to see more of these gems!

Here is my other most favourite book about a budgie - Pete and Roland by Bob Graham. Sadly, this book is very very old and long out of print but I do wish I could read Pete and Roland to young child straight after Budgie by Josephy Coelho.

Here is another old Australian junior chapter book featuring a budgie - this one is from the Solo series. 

Budgie

I didn't know Budgerigars live in England. I discovered: The English Budgerigar, often referred to as the English Budgie or the Show Budgie, and the Australian Budgerigar, commonly known as the Australian Budgie or the Budgie, are two distinct variations of the same species, Melopsittacus undulatus. ... The English Budgie is larger and more robust compared to its Australian counterpart. It exhibits a more substantial and rounded head, with a broader face and a prominent forehead. In contrast, the Australian Budgie has a slightly smaller frame and a slimmer head, giving it a more streamlined appearance. ... Another significant difference lies in their plumage. The English Budgie is renowned for its luxurious, long, and profuse feathers. Its plumage displays an array of vivid colors and intricate patterns, ranging from vibrant blues and yellows to striking grays and greens.

This article went on to explain the English budgie does originate from our Australian one. Breeding over time has changed their size and feathers. In the early 19th century, British naturalists and explorers started bringing budgerigars from Australia to England. These birds captured the attention of breeders due to their captivating appearance, intelligence, and ability to mimic sounds and words.

Inside the front cover of Budgie (by Josephy Coelho) you can read some budgie facts:

• They live 7-15 years
• They have 3000 feathers
• Their heart beats 500 times per minute
• They love to eat vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and peas

Carnival of the Clocks by Nick Sharratt

"It is a dark winter's evening. Lessons finished long ago. And something odd is going on in the playground ..."

The air is full of clocks, or is it? No these are not floating clocks they are clock-shaped lanterns and every child in the class has made a different one. Some are simple. Some are fancy. One is an alarm clock and one has a digital display. Every clock shows a different time, but this is not about the time it is about the date. The 21st December is the shortest day of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere).

"Every year, to celebrate this special day, the children of the town make clock lanterns. ... And when darkness falls on the shortest day, the children parade through the town with their clock lanterns."

But where are the children going as they parade through the town? And what will happen to all of those lanterns?

Read the first chapter here.

Take a look at Nick Sharratt's web page - he is such a vibrant and UK prolific illustrator. I love this series for very young children:

Carnival of the Clocks is from the Little Gems series - please consider adding these to your school library. These gems are just perfect for newly independent readers. The colour illustrations are so appealing, there is only a small amount of text on each page and each of these books contain a very satisfying story.

There really is an event like this created by a charity and held in Brighton, UK. It is called The Burning of the Clocks. See lots of photos here. 

Of course, 21st December is not the shortest day of the year here in Australia which happens in June but that is not a reason to dismiss this terrific little book. After all we don't have snow at Christmas and Easter is not the beginning of Spring. 

Sidney makes a Wish by Lisa Thompson illustrated by Jess Rose

The books from the series Little Gems are gems - in this one Sidney seems to have lost his friend. Billy is now more interested in Austin and poor little Sidney is left on his own at school.  

One morning Sidney discovers an old wishing well. His mum explains how they work. 

"When I was little, I threw a penny into the well and made a wish ... 'Did your wish come true?' Sidney asked."

Sidney gathers four coins and each day for four days he closes his eyes, makes a wish and tosses his coin in to the well. 

"He felt a little tingle in his toes, and he grinned. The wish must have worked!"

Sidney wishes for a trampoline then Billy could come around and play and then "Billy would think that Sidney was the BEST friend in the world."

Sadly this wish does not work. Next Sidney wishes for an ice cream machine. If he had an ice cream machine he could invite Billy over and they could eat delicious ice cream and be "best friends forever". Alas there is no ice cream machine in the kitchen when Sidney arrives home. And the next day the robot dog he wanted is not there either. Is the wishing well broken?  

While all of this has been happening a new girl called Carrie has been watching Sidney and Carrie's dad and Sidney's mum have begun to form a friendship. Can you guess the real wish and how it does come true just not in the way Sidney would ever have expected.

Read this review from Just Imagine:

The book offers lots of opportunities to discuss how children feel when someone doesn’t want to play with them or is unkind to them. It also shows children who may have behaved like Billy what impact that might have had on others.

Here is the web site for Lisa Thompson. I have previously talked about Goldfish Boy.

The Fish in the Bathtub by Eoin Colfer illustrated by Peter Bailey

I am a huge fan of Barrington Stoke books and the Little Gems series but while this one is a sweet story I was left with so many questions. I kept wishing this book had a notes or back matter section.

What year is this book set? There is a hint that ABBA is a popular music group. Mamma Mia is mentioned and after some quick research I discovered that song was released in 1975. The publisher site says this book is set in post war Poland so I would have assumed it was closer to 1950-1960.

What was life like in Poland during this time if the setting is 1975? The story refers to food queues but perhaps this is just to emphasise that Lucja has an impatient personality.

The story also refers to the black market:

"Even the soldiers pretended not to see the old women who walked around the streets of Warsaw with big baskets that looked as if they were full of rags. ... Inside the basket were plastic bags, and in the bags there were lots of different sorts of meat."

Is Lucja neurodivergent? She cannot sit still. She cannot concentrate?  She asks questions but does not listen to the answers. Yet she is also very focused on topics that interest her and has a keen eye for tiny details. 

What is the tradition of fish for Christmas Eve dinner? Is this always carp? How is it cooked?

What has happened to the grandfather in the past? He is so bitter about Germans and Communists.

"No German or Communist is going to tell me I can't eat the fish from Polish rivers. First they took my house, they they blew it up, then they built us this ugly block of concrete. But I will have my carp. I have to make a stand."

The old woman does bring a fish for Grandpa. Trouble is - it is alive. They put it in the bathtub. Lucja seems to know a lot about the care of fish. She is also able to sit still with her fish. She enjoys talking to him and a friendship begins to form. Of course every reader will anticipate the problem. Christmas Eve is not far away. Grandpa wants his carp dinner but there is no way Lucja will allow him to "kill" her beloved fish.

This slim book has 54 illustrated pages. It is an enjoyable story but I just had so many unanswered questions. This story was first published in 2007 as one story in an anthology with the title The Midnight Feast. Then Barrington Stoke  published a version in 2014 with colour illustrations and later my copy was published in black and white in 2022. You can read the first chapter here. 

Featuring an introduction by Fearne Cotton, Midnight Feast includes stories and artwork by the best authors and illustrators in the business. Including: Darren Shan, Anthony Horowitz, 

Meg Cabot, Eoin Colfer, Garth Nix, Joe Craig, Kath Langrish, Brian Jacques, 

Oliver Jeffers, Jonathan Stroud, Maeve Friel, Annie Dalton, Margaret Mahy, Helen Dunmore, 

Chris d'Lacey, Jamie Oliver, Tony Hart and Eleanor Updale

Blurb: Heartwarming story set in post-war Poland charting a grandfather-granddaughter relationship, from the bestselling Artemis Fowl author. Little Lucja's Grandpa Feliks has seen off the German army, and the Communists, and now he is looking forward to a long and peaceful retirement. He plans to begin with a tasty Christmas Eve dinner of carp. But when the carp arrives alive and takes up residence in the bathtub and Lucja's heart, has Grandpa Feliks finally met his match?

Here is the website of Irish author Eoin Colfer who is famous for his Artemis Fowl book series. 

Sophie takes to the sky by Katherine Woodfine illustrated by Briony May Smith

Sophie is a shy child who prefers her own company. She finds many every day things quite frightening and so the family leave her at home when they head off to the Fair. On the poster there are clowns, rides, fireworks and wild animals but most thrilling of all is the huge hot air balloon. Sophie loves the idea of a balloon floating across the sky. 

After the family all head off, Sophie decides she will go, she will be brave. She overcomes some of her fear of dogs and strangers and manages to hitch a ride with a local farmer who is also going to the fair. Once she arrives she finds the hot air balloon which is of course tethered to the ground. She peers inside and then quietly climbs in. At that moment the balloonist arrives and before she can speak, they lift off into the sky. It is thrilling and quiet, after the noisy fair, and simply wonderful. 

Late last year I talked about Sky Chasers by Emma Carroll. My book today is an easier read about a similar time period and the thrill of riding in a hot air balloon.

Sophie takes to the sky is based on the true story of Sophie Blanchard who was born in France in 1778. She was sixteen when she made her first hot air balloon flight. 

"She became famous for her daring night-time flights, for launching fireworks from her balloon and for dangerous adventures like crossing the Alps by balloon."

This book comes from the Little Gems series - click the link below to read about other books in this terrific series which I will say once again should be added to every Primary school library collection. 

Here is another book from the Little Gems series by Katherine Woodfine:

Rose's Dress of Dreams

I do love illustrations by Briony May Smith:

Margaret's Unicorn

Little Goose's Autumn

Grandpa was an Astronaut by Jonathan Meres illustrated by Hannah Coulson

Sherman loves to visit his Grandpa. Many decades ago his grandfather truly was an astronaut. He has a photo taken on the moon and a tiny fragment of moon rock on display in his lounge room. Sherman readily joins in with their beautiful game of imagination. Grandpa talks to Sherman with his astronaut voice. Together they build a rocket, the dog named Luna joins them, and they all head off to the moon. Very luckily some one is able to rescue them when they forget to pack basic supplies such as lemonade and biscuits.

Scattered through the story are puns and jokes which are sure to make adult readers and some older children smile. 

"What do you do if you see a spaceman? You park, man."

"That's one small step for dog ... One giant leap for dogkind."

Alongside this sense of poignancy there is also humour. Books for Keeps

Presented as a small-format, illustrated story for newly-independent readers, the adventures of Sherman and his Grandpa will be familiar to many youngsters who have a close relationship with a grandparent. An engaging mix of fantasy and pretend play, the story also touches on the inevitability of loss and the value of making memories.   Book Trust

This tiny book from the Little Gems series truly is a GEM!  In just 85 pages and seven short chapters you will experience a beautiful relationship between a young boy and his grandfather and on the final pages you may be moved to tears - this is a powerful story. Spoiler alert - Grandpa does not die but he is old and his life journey will end - just not today.

To discover more Little Gems click on the label at the end of this post. I highly highly highly recommend you add as many Little Gems to your school library as your budget allows. 

Jonathan Meres and Hannah Coulson have another Little Gem title:

Grey Island Red Boat by Ian Beck

 

Princess Opal lives on an island where everything is grey. The sky, the land, the buildings and even the sea. One day a small boat appears and it is red. The boat carries a stranger who brings the magic of colour but the King does not like this magic and he orders the guards to throw this boy - Wendell Lightfoot - into the castle dungeon. Opal hatches a plan to set her new friend free but can this pair escape the King? And what do the people of the town think about all the colours they can now see in their world.  The rainbow on the cover might give you a hint of that all important happy ending. 

My only very tiny quibble with this charming love story comes at the end because Opal still appears to be grey - the magic touch of colour has not changed her - I wonder why?

This is a profound new fairy tale which reveals how hope and light can manifest in even dire circumstances and the possibilities of bringing them into your life permanently. Ian Beck's illustrations, partly realised in silhouette, are very beautiful. Book Trust

The book's also the right size and weight for small hands. It's not just a book either - under the front flap there's a picture to colour in and under the back flap there a 'spot the difference' puzzle ... The Book Bag

This is an original story but it reads like an elegant European fairytale. The beautifully written text, laden with references to precious stones, flows from one page to another, complimenting the gorgeous, retro illustrations. An Awfully Big Blog Adventure

I highly recommend these early chapter books called Little Gems published by Barrington Stoke. This one has eight very short chapters, 80 pages and is well set out with plenty of space between paragraphs. It is dyslexia friendly but really any young reader will enjoy this gem!

Every school should have Little Gems books they manage to bring together the very best children’s authors and illustrators to create the most amazing range of books. Book Lover Jo

The Bakery of Happiness

The Bad Trousers

Madam Squeaker

The First Third Wish

Madam Squeaker by Pip Jones illustrated by Paula Bowles

 

Here is the blurb: Crumbs on the counter, morsels on the floor – there should be plenty of food for Minetta the mouse to eat in Hollyhock House …  But the Ruling Rats are running rampage every night, taking the best of everything for themselves. Minetta has decided that enough is enough – it’s time the rats learn to share. The trouble is, Minetta is so small and her voice just a squeak. How will she ever make them listen …?

Now that you have read the blurb take a closer look at the front cover. This might be a way to introduce the word megaphone to your young reading companion. Possibly, also, young readers may not have ever seen a cotton reel - there is a whole wonderful discussion to be had about this too. You might also like to talk about the title and the pun of squeaker versus speaker. 

Next make sure you look at the end papers with their brightly pink polka dot pattern and the little quizzes found inside the front and back dust jackets - these are a delightful addition in all of the Little Gem titles. 

After reading the story you could think about why the owl is named Sage and the idea of sage advice. Then there are the themes of negotiation, conflict resolution, bravery, finding a voice, confidence and team work. All of this in a tiny illustrated 84 page book!

Minetta does confront the rats with the wonderful support of her community - the other animals in the house and garden but the part of this story that I enjoyed the most was the ending. It is rare to find a book for a young audience with an open ending that invites more thought or perhaps even inspires some writing. Here are the final lines of the book:

"The first thing we need to talk about,' she said to all the animals and birds around her, 'is sharing food.' One by one, the mice and doves, the voles and hedgehogs, and even the rats sat down and they listened."

If you haven't discovered the Little Gems series published by Barrington Stoke can I suggest you try to find some soon. These books are perfect easy chapter books for newly independent readers. This story has just 12 very short chapters.  You could plan to read one or two each night as a family read aloud.  The chapters have fun titles: Half a peanut and a speak of cheese; Some Sage advice; and No room for a Mouse. 

My friend at Kinderbookswitheverything has an extensive Pinterest collection of books featuring mice. Here are some other books about heroic mice for young readers. I especially recommend hunting out the Squeak Street chapter books by Emily Rodda:

The Mice Next Door

Tumtum and Nutmeg

Anatole

A mouse called Wolf

The Clumsies make a mess

Squeak Street - easy chapter series and picture book

You can see other books illustrated by Paula Bowles here.  Pip Jones is the author of the Squishy McFluff books. There are seven titles in this series. 

The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy illustrated by Natalie Smillie

 

Publisher blurb: "Grace's family are wardens of the Griffin map using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. Although Grace is still too young, she longs to go on missions herself. After all if her brother, Bren, can do it, why can't she? So when Grace finds herself alone with the map as a distress call comes in,  she jumps at the chance to prove she's up to the task. But the map transports Grace to a remote village where nothing is quite as it seems. Has she taken on more than she can handle?"

This is a short (104 pages) illustrated book with a story that packs a punch. I loved the idea of the map as a transport device but even more I loved the underlying tension of corruption and manipulation. Don't worry this is a book for a reader aged 8+ containing a familiar story of good and evil. The Mayor wants power and he thinks using Grace will serve his cause but what he has not bargained on is that Grace is a brave girl and she is also a terrific problem solver. 

While things are wrapped up nicely at the end of this first book readers will be excited to dip into the second instalment by Vashti Hardy The Puffin Portal which is due out later this year. You can read a few pages from The Griffin Gate on the publisher web site.

This has the feel of a big adventure despite being told in fewer than one hundred pages. A great plot, characters who develop throughout the story and a realistic fantasy world are all created by Vashti Hardy. The importance of family and the use of power for good is incorporated into an irresistible adventure with care. Grace is a brilliant character, I warmed to her and think readers will do so.  A Library Lady

All Primary school libraries should add as many books from Barrington Stoke as their budget will allow. These are just prefect for readers who are ready for a chapter book with a substantial story but who are not ready to tackle books with 300+ pages. 

10 things you need to know (from Barrington Stoke)

1. The best authors in the business ensure well-written texts that encourage discussion.

2. Our unique dyslexia-friendly font makes reading easier.

3. We use heavier paper with a gentle tint that is easier on the eye.

4. Our accessible layouts, spacing and design are more appealing to our readers.

5. Expert editing ensures a smoother read that still challenges young readers.

6. ‘Hi lo’ stories mean that though they are written with a lower reading age, the content matches the

age of the reader without being patronising.

7. Shorter stories are less daunting for the reluctant reader – good for confidence and motivation.

8. Short chapters provide plenty of rest breaks while cliffhangers keep the reader hooked.

9. Attractive illustrations are used to aid comprehension and break up the text.

10. Appealing cover design and high-quality finishes ensure the books have the ‘cool’ factor.

There are books for readers aged 6+ right up to 8+.  Here are some I have read and recommend:

Little Gems

The Bakery of Happiness; The First third Wish; Rose's Dress of Dreams; Bella's Den; Butterflies for Grandpa Joe; The Smile; and The Bad Trousers.

I have looked for a list of the Little Gem and other Barrington Stoke titles such as the series called 4U2Read but I haven't found one that was easy to access.  I have started a Pinterest of their titles which look appealing to me and using the Barrington Stoke catalogue I created this list of Little Gems:

Norman the Norman and the Very Small Duchess

The Big Fib

The Bakery of Happiness

The First Third Wish

Grey Island Red Boat

Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers

The Story of the Dancing Frog

Anna Liza and the Happy Practice

The Fish in the Bathtub

Mariella, Queen of the Skies

Mary's Hair

Blamehounds

Cheesemares

Ted Rules the World

Blue John

Joe and the Dragonosaurus

Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door

The Snake who Came to Stay

A Twist of Tales

Albert Johnson and the Buns of Steel

Superdad’s Day Off

The Unlucky Eleven

Out for the Count

Pram Busters!

Molly Rogers to the Rescue

Monster Busters

The Monster from the Blue Planet

The Moonshine Dragon

Sea Urchins & Sand Pigs

Madam Squeaker

Henry Pond the Poet

Good Dog Lion

I Killed Father Christmas

Nappy the Pirate Baby

Grandpa Was an Astronaut

Mint Choc Chip at the Market Café

Special Delivery

The Castle in the Field

Minikid

Snug

We Are Not Frogs!

All About Ella

Billy Button Telegram Boy

The Great Telephone Mix-Up

The Ghost in Annie’s Room

Skulduggery

8 3.5 Clever Cakes

Dread Cat

Splash Day!

Captain Whiskers

Nellie Choc-Ice, Penguin Explorer

Big Trouble for Nellie Choc-Ice

Nellie Choc-Ice and the Plastic Island

Rose’s Dress of Dreams

Sophie Takes to the Sky