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

Fletcher and the falling leaves by Julia Rawlinson illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke

 

A poetic tribute to winter and fall, Fletcher’s story is sure to resonate with young readers. Kirkus

Fletcher is worried. His favourite tree looks brown and dull and dry. Fletcher is sure his tree is unwell. His mother tells him not to worry - it is autumn. But Fletcher does not understand and as the days and weeks go by his tree looks worse. Standing under the tree a leaf falls off. Fletcher catches the leaf and ties it back on but the leaf falls off again and the next day more and more leaves have fallen. Birds gather them for their nests, squirrels gather them for their nests and even the porcupine takes some. The birds can see how distressed Fletcher has become and so they poke the leaves back onto the branches but the wind picks up again and the next morning all of the leaves are on the ground and the tree has bare branches. Now there is only one leaf left. When this last leaf falls Fletcher takes it home and places it in a tiny bed. 

What comes after Autumn - Winter! Fletcher goes outside and his tree is transformed with a thousand icicles. Make sure you touch this last page - Tipanie Beeke has added glitter which makes a beautifully tactile page. 

Weston Woods have an animated version of Fletcher and the falling leaves.  Sadly we can no longer purchase Weston Woods DVDs here in Australia. 

It's Autumn here in Australia and this is my favourite season. I love the colourful leaves and the crunch of them underfoot and the cooler nights, lower humidity and sunny days are wonderful. 

Fletcher and the falling leaves was first published in 2006 but it is still available and there is a newer paperback edition. This is one book from the series called Fletcher's Four Seasons:

And a new Fletcher book has just been released. Fletcher and the Caterpillar was published in March 2021 and will be followed by Fletcher and the Rainbow in August 2021, Fletcher and the Rockpool in June 2022 and Fletcher and the Stars in October 2022. Here is the web site for Julia Rawlinson.

The name Tiphanie Beeke intrigued me. She studied in London and lives in the South of France.

I found quite a few video versions on YouTube of Fletcher and the falling leaves.  If you are working with teacher education students it might be useful to use these to compare ways of reading a picture book - pausing, pace, page turns, showing the cover, end papers, title page, back cover etc.

Children's Books Read Aloud

A story for Boo

Sonoma County

Family Literacy storytime

My friend at Kinderbookswitheverything has a blog post where she shares books filled with Autumn leaves. She also has a Pinterest filled with Autumn books.

Florence and her fantastic family tree by Judy Gilliam illustrated by Laura Addari

Ms Collins tells her students to create a family tree. Florence is not happy with this task:

"Like that was easy. The problem is that my family tree doesn't just have a trunk, roots, leaves and branches. It has stickers, thorns and extra limbs. My family tree is prickly, scaly and partially overgrown."

Florence and her brother Fred have six parents. First there was mum and dad (Betty and Bruce) but then Betty and Bruce were divorced. Betty married James and Bruce married Lucy. So now we have four parents.  Then Bruce and Lucy divorced and Bruce married Kate and Lucy married Fabian. And this is just the six parents. There is also the complication of step siblings, adopted children, and a half brother - a total of seven kids. Luckily Florence is a problem solver and not a quitter. She manages to draw her huge family tree and she puts herself right in the middle. The final sentence is sure to make you smile:

"Next time, I'll include my grandparents - must be twenty of them."

This book will be a very welcome addition to your school library. Many children live in blended families and I am sure they will relate to Florence. Many teachers also ask their students to draw their family tree often in Grade 2 as a part of their history topic. You can see many of the pages from this book on the Publisher web site.

I read a Middle Grade novel recently with the most complex of family situations. A young girl lives with her mum. Her dad has died. Mum remarries. So now Winifred has a step dad. Then her mum dies. Now Winifred (known as Fred) lives with her step dad and his new partner and the partner's son. In the coming months her step dad and his partner will welcome a new baby into the family. Yes - as you have guessed, part of this story is about identity - just where does Fred fit in? The family tree for Winifred would certainly be a complex one. 

I would pair Florence and her fantastic family tree with Isla's Family tree; The Family Book by Todd Parr and Family Forest by Kim Kane.

I had not heard of this publisher Familius.  Here is their mission statement and Ten Habits of Happy Families:

We believe that the family is the fundamental unit of society and that happy families are the foundation of a happy life. The greatest work anyone will ever do will be within the walls of his or her own home. And we don’t mean vacuuming! We recognize that every family looks different and passionately believe in helping all families find greater joy, whatever their situation. To that end, we publish beautiful books that help families live our 10 Habits of Happy Family Life. Further, Familius does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations.

Love together, Learn together, Read together, Give together, Play together, Talk together, Laugh Together, Eat together, Heal together, Work together.

Don't fidget a feather! by Erica Silverman illustrated by SD Schindler

Duck and Gander challenge each other with a series of, well challenges such as who can fly the highest or swim the fastest. Then Duck makes a suggestion:

"Let's have a freeze-in-place contest ... don't move. Don't talk. Don't fidget a feather! And the winner will be the one and only, true and forever champion of champions".

These two are very strong characters. A buzzing bee does not distract either Duck or Gander. A bunch of bunnies arrive and they sit on Ganders head and tap Duck's beak but neither fidget one feather. A cluster of crows land near the pair. They flutter and tickle and caw caw caw but neither fidget one feather. Then "along came fox". Gander and Duck are placed in a sack and taken to his den where the cooking pot is ready with carrots, potatoes, celery, squash, beans, salt and pepper. 

"Fox carried Gander over to the pot. Gander has to move now, thought Duck. But Gander did not."

Who will save the day? Who will win the freeze competition? Can there perhaps be two winners?

When the Teacher-Librarian from the library I visit each week exclaims "haven't you read that book" or "this book is wonderful" or "you will love this one it's one of my favourites" it makes me so excited I can hardly wait to dive into the book - old (Don't Fidget a Feather is from 1998) or new that's not important - I know the book she is recommending will be splendid. The downside is this is just one of those truly special books. There are sure to be more. There are sure to be thousands. How will I ever discover them? Oh well I will just keep chipping away at this library collection- picking up piles of picture books each week and sharing my wondrous finds here.

I am making a collection of stories about foxes. This one is a winner. It would be perfect to read aloud. The story has just the right amount of tension and fun with the addition of a very special conclusion. I read one reviewer who likened this book to The Tale of the Turnip. You can see the whole book here.

SD Schindler is the illustrator of the Catwings series by Ursula LeGuin and the wonderful non fiction book The Story of Salt by Mark Kurlansky which was a book I treasured in my former school library.

You might find Skeleton Hiccups in a school or local library:

Erica Silverman is the author of the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series.

CBCA 2021 Short Listed books

 

The thirty-six books in six categories were announced on Tuesday. I posted my predictions the night before for Picture Book of the Year; Early Childhood Picture Book of the Year and Younger Readers Book of the Year.  Each category contains six titles but I was only able, of the eighteen in total that I discussed, to predict six. I feel quite at a loss as to why some of the books I loved did not make the cut. I want our CBCA winners to celebrate the best we have on offer. The books in this national competition will reach a wide audience here in Australia and, I like to think, some will travel beyond our shores to other English speaking countries such as USA, Canada, UK and New Zealand.  These books can be our ambassadors. That is what I hoped would happen with I saw Pete and Pete saw me; The biscuit maker; Scary Bird (not a notable); Littlelight; The Fire Wombat; Anisa's Alphabet; Respect; and Coming home to Country. Alas none of these made the cut.  

On the upside I am thrilled to see two verse novels (Worse things and Bindi) on the Younger Readers list. I'm also looking forward to exploring the six books selected for the new illustrator award which was previously called the Crichton Award. 

In future posts I plan to talk about the themes in some of the picture book selections and I will share some companion texts you could use with a class.

Here are the short listed titles for 2021 - if a title is in colour it links to a review on this blog:

Younger Readers

Kate Gordon, Aster’s Good, Right Things 

Jaclyn Moriarty (illus. by Kelly Canby), The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst 

Sally Murphy (illus. by Sarah Davis), Worse Things 

Katrina Nannestad, We Are Wolves 

Kirli Saunders (illus. by Dub Leffler), Bindi 

Sue Whiting, The Book of Chance 

Early Childhood

Sarah Allen, Busy Beaks 

Bernadette Green (illus. by Anna Zobel), Who’s Your Real Mum? 

Libby Hathorn & Lisa Hathorn-Jarman (illus. by Mel Pearce, No! Never! 

Anna McGregor, Anemone is not the Enemy 

Heidi McKinnon, There’s No Such Thing 

Briony Stewart, We Love You, Magoo 

Picture Book of the Year

Freya Blackwood, The Unwilling Twin 

Philip Bunting, Not Cute

Gabriel Evans, Norton and the Bear 

Bob Graham, Ellie’s Dragon 

Matt Ottley (text by Meg McKinlay), How to Make a Bird 

Felicita Sala (text by Maggie Hutchings), Your Birthday Was the Best! 

Eve Pownall Non Fiction

Sami Bayly, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals

Maree Coote, Azaria: A True History 

Pamela Freeman (illus. by Liz Anelli), Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu

David Hartley & Kirsty Murray (illus. by Dub Leffler), Strangers on Country 

Gina M Newton (illus. by Rachel Tribout), Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish

Carole Wilkinson (illus. by Prue Pittock), Matthew Flinders – Adventures on Leaky Ships

New Illustrator Award 

Sofya Karmazina, Ribbit Rabbit Robot 

Mel Pearce, No! Never! 

Dave Petzold, Seven Seas of Fleas 

Shirley Purdie, Shirley Purdie: My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe

Zeno Sworder, This Small Blue Dot 

Robin Tatlow-Lord, Go Away, Worry Monster! 

You might like to watch this video with Shaun Tan where he explores the 2021 slogan. And here is a splendid video made in South Australia to announce the 2021 short list (20 minutes) featuring a host of authors and illustrators from South Australia.

A Last Goodbye by Elin Kelsey illustrated by Soyeon Kim

 "After you die, friends and family will gather. Some will travel long distances and stay for many hours. Others will place wreaths or drape you in a blanket of forest green."

Kirkus Star review - Staggering.

Kirkus Star - A remarkable achievement.

Kirkus Star - Both important and breathtakingly beautiful.

Kirkus Star - Profound and entirely wonderful.

The Last Goodbye is one book in a series by elin Kelsey illustrated by Soyeon Kim. The library I visit each week has all of these books and all of them should be added to your school library. In a previous post I talked about Wild Ideas. 

A Last Goodbye is, as the title implies, a book about the end of life. In this case the end of life for various animals such as the elephant, killer whale and chimpanzee.  As we saw with Fox: A circle of life story, A Last Goodbye is a cycle of life story. 

Blurb: "From the treetops of Madagascar to the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean, species all over the planet express grief and care for each other at the end of life. For some, the last goodbye is loud and communal. For others, death is marked by small offers and quiet observation."

Take a look at this web site from the Canadian publisher Owl Kids. You can see the art processes used by Soyeon Kim, read about the topic of death and grief and how to approach this with a child and also find some teacher notes for A Last Goodbye. I am not sure I would use this book with a whole class but used quietly in a family this book could help open up some important conversations. This is not a book to read immediately after the death of a loved one but rather it is book you might read alongside other books about animals hopefully months or even years before your young reading companion has to face the sadness of death in their own family or wider circle. This book is about a tough topic but it is handled with care and a light but truthful touch. Please take the time to watch this four minute video about the importance of talking to children about grief well before they need to process these difficult emotions. This is a very special book. Kirkus (see above) said "staggering".

The discussion topics in this guide are written to allow for broad conversation of loss and grief with all students. Loss can refer to the death of a loved one, as depicted in the book; yet we all experience many different kinds of change and loss throughout life. Examples of loss can include moving to a new home, leaving your classroom at the end of the year or a friend moving away. The discussions in this book are meant to foster social-emotional learning, including skills such as identifying emotions, coping with emotions, and empathy. From the teacher notes.

I was please to see the name Mary Beth Leatherdale associated with this book. I met Mary Beth in the US a couple of years ago at the USBBY conference in Austin Texas. We were both invited to speak at the Texas Book Festival about publishing trends in our respective countries.

Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows by Denis Knight and Cristy Burne

 

Publisher blurb: In a world of magic, can science save the day?  Wednesday Weeks never wanted to be a sorcerer's apprentice. She'd rather study science than magic. But when her cloak-wearing, staff-wielding grandpa is captured by a power-hungry goblin king, Wednesday must find a way to embrace her magical heritage and rescue him from the dreaded Tower of Shadows.

Luckily, she's not alone. Her best friend Alfie is a prime-number fan and robotics expert who's all-in on Wednesday's epic plan involving parallel universes, swords of power, and a wise-cracking talking skull. But it's going to take more than science, magic, and the world's cutest robot to take down this bad guy. Because the goblin king is playing for the ultimate prize - and Wednesday and Alfie just walked into his trap...

Is there a genre name for the combination of fantasy, quest, slap stick action and humour? The Phantom Tollbooth springs to mind as the best example. The publicity for this new book also mentions Artemis Fowl and Nevermoor. I also thought of The Spiderwick Chronicles; The Strange Worlds Travel Agency; The Dark Blue 100 Ride Bus Ticket; The Train to Impossible places; The Creakers; and Furthermore. 

The joint authors themselves say "we hope Wednesday makes you laugh. We hope she makes you wonder. And most of all, we hope she makes you brave. Because we all have the power to surprise."

I am not a fan of this style of story but somehow I was hooked. There are some truly inventive ideas in the crazy other worlds visited by Wednesday and Alfie as they race (they only have twelve hours) to rescue Wednesday's grandfather. His full name is Abraham Mordecai Weeks, Protector of the realms, Master of the Seven transformations, Arch-Excellency Order Enchanter, Wonder warlock, and Black Belt Magician to the Queen's Royal Order. The other strength of this book comes from the way the authors have given each of the three main characters - Wednesday, Alfie and Bruce (he is the skull) very distinct personalities. 

If you enjoy identifying the tropes of fantasy here they are:

The Chosen One - Wednesday of course but there is a hint that Alfie has some special magical ability too. 

The Evil Overload - King Gorgomoth, king of the goblin realm - he has plans to enslave the universe and he has the Unquenchable Fire.

The Lucky Novice - Alfie - he is a mathematician and a scientist and these are skills that will save their lives on several occasions. 

The Mentor - Bruce - he has been around for a long time fighting 

The Powerful Artefact -  there are three magical objects - a ring, a sword and an invisibility cloak. 

I like the idea of the Faerie Laundry and especially the scene where Wednesday and Alfie end up inside a washing machine (while it is running). The description of the lost property office filled with odd socks is one that will linger with me. I should also mention there is a talking skull called Bruce, a feisty tooth fairy called Falcon, evil maniac monster called Gorgomoth and a wonderful friend called Adaline. I wonder does the cover appeal to you?  Personally I think it really lets the book down but as I have said previously I am not the intended audience. I recommend this book for readers aged 10+.

Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows will be published on 28th April. Thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance copy. At the end of Book One the stage is set for the sequel - Wednesday Weeks and the Crown of Destiny.