The Great Phoenix of London by Lindsay Galvin

"We already mentioned that many sources agree that the phoenix is very old, and there can only be one of them at a time. The myth links to Egypt and Arabia, and is tied to beliefs about the sun god, expecialy in Greek and Egyptian myth. The theory that it arises from its own ashes, or that of the parent bird, are agreed. So it is everlasting."

The Great Fire of London is a topic studied in UK schools and so this is a perfect book for those students because it is a story which combines history with magical realism. Children here in Australia will be unfamiliar with this historical event but the action in this story is sure to make them curious to know more. This book could also be a terrific one to share in a family if you are planning a family holiday in London - you are sure to want to visit St Paul's cathedral after experiencing the gripping scenes at the end of The Great Phoenix of London. The maps in this book are also splendid.

Read more about the Great Fire:

• Kids' Britannica
• History for Kids
• BBC Bitesize
• National Geographic for Kids

In this video Lindsay Galvin talks about her books (one hour).

Lindsay Galvin offers a most exciting, brilliantly researched and presented historically based novel. It’s full of wonder, drama and excitement so that we can scent the embers, feel the fear and realise the destruction. Book Wagon

Among the many things I loved about this book were the illustrations, including maps showing the fire’s spread each day and descriptions of Guild members descending on St Paul’s cathedral to store belongings in what they hoped was the safety of the stone crypt. Bucket chains were formed to throw water from the Thames onto the fire, and there was frantic digging to uncover the underground Fleet River for another water source. The latter two failed, of course. The ending is emotional and stunning. Historical Novel Society

This well-known period in history has never before been brought to life in such an engaging way. Familiar names and places weave their way through the pages pulling together the strands of the story in a manner that makes sense. The Great Fire of London will no longer be just something that happened, but rather, something that happened to real people. Readers will begin to empathise with those who lost their homes and businesses. They’ll see the impact this tragedy had on everyday lives and how communities reacted in fear and disbelief. King Charles II, the Duke of York, the Mayor of London and Samuel Pepys himself highlight the difference between the social classes and how London was so unprepared for such a challenge. Scope for Imagination

The School Reading list (a UK resource) has an excellent detailed plot summary with text examples and discussion questions for The Great Phoenix of London. You can read a book extract on the Chicken House web page. 

I previously really enjoyed this book by Lindsay Galvin:

My Friend the Octopus

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

Flight of the Phoenix by R.L. LaFevers illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Nathaniel is summoned to the lawyer's office. His parents have been missing for three years and so now they are declared dead and it is time to read the will.  Nathaniel has been cared for by Miss Lumpton. The lawyer explains she will receive a 'tidy sum' and with that news she heads off out the door. Now Nathaniel truly is alone. Well not quite. He has one relative - Phil A. Fludd.  The lawyer puts Nathaniel on the train and he heads off alone. He has no idea so many surprises are in store. Phil A Fludd is a lady called Philomena. She is a Fludd and the Fludd family have a long history of exploration of the planet. Phil is also an aviatrix and within one day of his arrival Nathaniel finds himself on board a tiny plane flying off to Arabia to see the Phoenix. This is an event that only happens every five hundred years

"As the sun sets on the Phoenix's five hundredth birthday, it returns to its place of birth and builds a funeral pyre. Amid the rays of the setting sun, it sets itself on fire, burning until it is reduce to a pile of ash. The secret to a phoenix hatching is to be sure the pile of ash never grows cold."

Nathaniel has to fly across the world with Phil, ride a camel, cope with a new friend who is a Gremlin called Greasle. When they arrive Phil is taken away by the Bedouins and so Nathaniel has to tend the phoenix by himself.

My favourite scene is when Nathaniel has to repair the plane while it is in flight:

"Very glad for the rope that anchored him to the plane, Nate stood up. Struggling to keep his balance, he crawled out of the cockpit and lowered his feet over the side until they touched the wing. Gripping the side of the plane for dear life, he shuffled his feet along the wing, inching closer to the propeller."

I loved all the loose threads in this first installment. There is the dodo Cornelius, the mystery of the missing parents who I like to imagine are not really dead, there's the 'black sheep' of the family who may be the mysterious thief who tried to steal the The Book of Beasts and of course there are sure to be more beasts to discover.

Read more plot details by clicking these review comments:

Playing freely with historical detail and using traditions of English boys’ adventure stories and colonial clichés about Bedouin culture, this American author has crafted an exciting tale. Straightforward sentences, chronological narrative, short chapters and Murphy’s plentiful black-and-white illustrations make this appropriate for middle-grade readers looking for a series to grow with.  Kirkus

La Fever does a graceful job of keeping the story hovering around a third grade reading level while sprinkling historical, mythical and adventurous details here and there along with some great vocabulary.  Books4YourKids

I find it really exciting when a book series has its own web site. The pages for the Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist series are fabulous. So far there are four books in this series. There is also a Wikipedia entry.  I was assisting with the stocktake (inventory) in the library of a friend when I spied this book. I have talked about Kelly Murphy in previous posts. I adore this cover, I recognised Kelly's art and so I was sure this would be a terrific book - and I was right! On Kelly's page you can see some illustrations from this book and on  R.L. LaFevers (Robin Lorraine) own web site you can read an extract from each book.

This series are perfect for confident readers from Grade 2 and up. The first paperback was published in 2011 so if this series sounds appealing I suggest you rush out and order them today - books do seem to go out of print so quickly.  It would be good to follow this series by reading The Doldrums. These books are for older children but would make a terrific family or class read aloud.

Aspects of this story also made me think about one of my favourite book series which begins with Time Stops for no Mouse. This book is also not at the same level as the Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist series but I highly recommend it as a brilliant read aloud.