Tag: Reading For Pleasure

Friday Library Recommendations: Rewilding

Monday 22nd April is Earth Day, which was set up in 1970 to demonstrate support for environmental protection, so this week, I have chosen books on the theme of Rewilding. This is the process of restoring an area of land to it’s natural state, including returning wild plants and animals to the area.

For our younger children, I have picked The Wall And The Wild by Christina Dendy and Katie Rewse.  At a time of accelerating climate change, this is an eye-opening story about gardening, rewilding and embracing biodiversity in all its forms.

In a plot of land at the edge of town, Ana grows only perfectly-sized plants and perfect-looking flowers, and throws all the irregular shoots and uneven seeds over the wall into the disorderly Wild. But as her garden gets tidier, neater and more constrained, the Wild begins to grow…

For older children, I’ve chosen the latest book in the fabulous Explodapedia series: Rewild: Can Nature Heal Our World by Ben Martynoga, illustrated by Moose Allain, which is a celebration of nature and the incredible ways it keeps us alive, and an exploration of how we can welcome the wild on a personal and epic scale.

River-nurturing wolves, tree-toppling beavers, climate warrior whales and even genetically-engineered woolly mammoths could all help us protect, revive and restore our planet to its full glory. Join Ben Martynoga and Moose Allain for an inspiring look at how we can rewild life so that nature – and humankind – flourishes for a long time to come.

And finally, I’ve chosen one of my favourite non-fiction books from last year – Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan To Rewild Every City on Earth by Steve Mushin. It’s not just the title that’s audacious – everything from the brilliantly bold ideas to the chatty, graphic novel style delivery of some, quite frankly, mind-blowing science stakes claim to that description make this an outstanding read. Whether it’s ideas from ancient sewerage systems or futuristic hi-tech pollinators and plants, there are no limits on the creative solutions Steve discusses to bring the wild back to all areas of our planet.

Jump into his brain as he designs habitat-printing robot birds and water-filtering sewer submarines, calculates how far compost cannons can blast seed bombs (over a kilometre), brainstorms biomaterials with scientists and engineers, studies ecosystems and develops a deadly serious plan to transform cities into jungles, rewilding them into carbon-sucking mega-habitats for all species, and as fast as possible.

Through marvelously designed and hilarious engineering ideas, Mushin shares his vision for super-high-tech urban rewilding, covering the science of climate change, futuristic materials and foods, bio reactors, soil, forest ecosystems, mechanical flight, solar thermal power and working out just how fast we could actually turn roads into jungles, absorb carbon and reverse climate change.

Happy reading!

 

Friday Library Recommendations: Nature

Welcome back after a lovely Easter break. It’s great to see signs of Spring everywhere, so this week, I’ve chosen books on the theme of Nature.

First, I’ve got a lovely poetry collection; Outside In: Nature Poems by Daniel Thompson and Julia Murray.

This inspiring collection of 50 poems will spark a love of nature, bring calm and happiness and let the outside in. Beautifully illustrated, it is filled with poems for children to read alone or enjoy with the whole family.

With poems about the seasons, senses, wildlife, weather and the joys of mud, it’s the perfect gift book for children to treasure.

Next, I’ve picked a fabulous Non-fiction book; Nature’s Fascinating Friendships by Kerry Hyndman and Mike Hills

Did you know pom pom crabs wear sea anemones as boxing gloves to fight off enemies? And greater honeybirds guide humans to hidden beehives? And bats use pitcher plants as sleeping bags?

From ravens and wolves to trees and fungi, learn how these unlikely alliances are formed and find out all the incredible, funny, weird and disgusting reasons why these partnerships work. Every page is beautifully illustrated and packed full of facts that should surprise and inspire us all to overcome our differences and work together more.

And finally, How To Be A Nature Explorer by Peter Wohlleben, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich is  the perfect companion for every child’s next outdoor adventure!

Whether you are in the forest, in your own backyard, or in the city, there are so many exciting ways to engage with nature—and forester Peter Wohlleben has the best ideas for doing so. With Be A Nature Explorer,  kids will learn how to press flowers, harvest algae, skip stones, observe spiders, and even how to build their own tiny sailboat in one of the 52 short, fun, and hands-on activities to help children explore and discover the outdoors, and it’s the perfect size to throw in a rucksack and refer to on adventures.

Happy reading!

 

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards: The Runners-Up

Last week, we announced the winners, which means there are some very worthy runners up that were class favourites that we haven’t looked at books to read after.

What’s The Story – How To Count To One by Casper Salmon, illustrated by Matt Hunt

A hilariously bossy picture book about counting that children will love to outsmart!

You know how to count, right? GREAT! There are LOADS of fun things to count in this book. Whales, baboons, rainbows, pyramids . . . There’s just rule. You must ONLY ever count to ONE. So don’t even about THINK bigger numbers. OK?!

Get ready to show off your skills in this fun new counting book! But all is not as it seems . . . is this book really only about counting to ‘ONE’? Because there are SO MANY fun things that you could count. But – wait – maybe there’s a way to outsmart the book . . . and count all the way up to 100!

If this was your favourite, do try One Fox by Kate Read

A stunning counting book and thrilling farmyard adventure from the brilliantly talented author and illustrator, Kate Read whose luscious artwork is a mixture of collage, printing and drawing, creating layers of beautiful texture and detail.

One famished fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl . . . three plump hens had better watch out!

The rich, close-up illustrations take the reader to the heart of the drama in this exciting story set in a moonlit farmyard. With something different to count in every picture, learning numbers from one to ten has never been so much fun, while the story will keep everyone gripped to the last, hugely satisfying page.

Telling Tales –  Wildsmith by Liz Flanagan, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton

When war threatens her beloved city, Rowan and her mother must flee to the Dark Forest, meeting Grandpa and his white wolf Arto for the first time. Though she misses her father, Rowan makes new friends – including a trio of powerful witches. When she rescues a baby dragon from poachers, she discovers the secret of her own identity: Rowan is a wildsmith! Fostering a whole clutch of dragons, the summer speeds by. But when danger threatens, Rowan and her grandpa must call on all their friends for help.

If this was your favourite book, look out for the next book in the series, Wildsmith: City Of Secrets. You can also try Do Not Mess With The Mermaids by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Sharon Davey

Wondermere is expecting a very important visitor: the mermaid queen of the Outer Ocean. That means frilly dresses and best behaviour – and absolutely NO RULE BREAKING. But when a purple dragon egg falls into the moat of Wondermere castle, Grace and her sister Princess Portia find themselves babysitting a big secret. One teeny tiny little dragon called Dennis couldn’t possibly disturb the royal visit, could he?

A cheeky, charming and laugh-out-loud funny read

Hooked On Books – Deadlock by Simon Fox 

An explosive new adventure from the author of the unputdownable Running Out of Time. Simon Fox is a rising star in a new generation of thriller writers.

Archie Blake thought his policeman father teaching him how to pick locks and open safes was just a bit of fun. But when a diamond necklace is stolen and his dad is arrested, Archie realises the only way to prove Dad’s innocence is to go on the run and use everything he’s learned to uncover the truth.

But Archie soon finds himself deeply tangled in the criminal underworld, where it’s hard to know who to trust and even harder to see what’s right or wrong. Will Archie be able to find a way out before it’s too late?

If this was your favourite book, try S.T.E.A.L.T.H. Access Denied by Jason Rohan.

They’re in a race to save his dad … and the world.

When his dad disappears, Arun Lal is amazed to discover that he was secretly working on a classified project and has been kidnapped by people intent on stealing it.

Along with his geeky best friend Sam and tough-talking Donna, Arun is plunged into a race to rescue his father and find his creation before the thieves can turn it into a destructive global weapon…

Full of thrilling high-octane car chases and more, this is the first in an explosive new action-adventure middle grade series. 

Happy reading!

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards – The Winners!

What a fantastic selection of book in each category this year – I have loved reading and talking about the books with all of the children in school and taking votes every week since January. We had an amazing final three in each category, but the votes have all been counted and verified and we now have this year’s winners…

What’s The Story –  The Eyebrows Of Doom by Steve Smallman and Miguel Ordonez

As featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories and read by Steve Carell, The Eyebrows of Doom is an outrageously funny and bonkers adventure story written by the rhyming genius, Steve Smallman, with bright, bold and brilliant artwork by award-winning illustrator, Miguel Ordóñez.

The Eyebrows of Doom are trying to take over the world! Join Dave and his friends as they try to stop them leaping from one unsuspecting animal to the next. And just when it looks as though the eyebrows’ antics have been thwarted . . . all is not as it seems!

This hilarious rhyming romp will have readers young and old laughing out loud.

If this was your favourite book, do try Inspector Penguin Investigates by Eoin McLaughlin and Ross Collins, an exciting, interactive detective story that will have readers hooked from the beginning.

Who could have broken into Baron von Buffetworth’s super-secure top-secret safe? And where have they taken his precious diamond?

There’s only one detective who can solve this mystery: Inspector Penguin! That is, if he can keep his mind off tuna long enough to find some clues…

Telling Tales – Lenny Lemon and The Invincible Rat by Ben Davis, illustrated by James Lancett 

Huge congratulations to Ben who wins his second Coventry Inspiration Book Award, but this time in a younger category, with a laugh out loud funny book that pupils and teachers can all relate to!

Lenny Lemmon is looking forward to Olden Days Day at school. It’s a chance to break the routine and try school as it was years ago. It explains the blackboard in the corner, his teacher’s bad temper and why his friend Sam looks like Oliver Twist. Lenny is pleased with his own contribution, too. It’s in a cardboard box at the back of the class at the moment because it’s not yet time to shine. Except it escapes and ends up in the bowl of sick, sorry, gruel, that Amelia Kelly has brought up, sorry, in.

Soon there are small, gruelly footprints all over the classroom and also a lot of screaming because the rat that Lenny found by the back of the chip shop is FREE. It takes the arrival of cool new girl, Jessica Conrad, to distract everyone. Jessica has a plan to catch the rat but it’ll cost them!

Can the three kids round up the rat before more damage is done? Or will they end up in the headmaster’s office – again. Maybe, but they’re going to need a bigger net… Make sure you don’t miss the next hilarious book in the series – Lenny Lemon And The Trail Of Crumbs.

If you loved Lenny Lemon, do try Cally & Jimmy: Twins Together by Zoe Antoniades and Katie Kear.

Join Cally and Jimmy in four hilarious stories, perfect for newly confident readers. They get into scrapes together, bake some poisonous cakes, almost ruin their school assembly and finally have a twintastic birthday party.

Hooked On Books – The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith.

This is Dan’s second win – the first being back in 2017 with Boy X – and the two books couldn’t be more different.

BERLIN 1961

Anja and Monika live opposite each other. They play together every day, with Otto the cat. One night they wake up to bangs and shouts. Soldiers are building a huge barbed wire fence between them. A terrible forever wall that gets longer and higher until it divides the whole city. On the East side, Monika is scared – neighbours are becoming spies and there are secret police everywhere. It’s Anja who spots that Otto has found a way across. If he can visit Monika, then perhaps she can too. But Anja gets trapped and there’s no safe way back …

Anja and Monika’s story is set in what feels like a terrifying dystopian world, yet it is one that existed in living memory. Dan has brought the terror of Berlin in 1961 to life in a gripping, unsettling read that will stay with me for a very long time.

Told through files, letters and newspaper articles, they really rooted the story in the reality that families would have lived. Most disturbing were the extracts from the Stasi files – as the reader, we could see a disastrous conclusion to Anja’s trip across the wall was coming, which cranked up the tension with each creaking floorboard and turn of the page.

If you loved this, try The Week At World’s End by Emma Carroll

Britain, 1962

Nothing ever happens in World’s End Close. So when Stevie discovers a runaway girl in her coal shed, the first thing she does is fetch her best friend, Ray. Both are dying for a bit of adventure, and when the girl begs for help, they readily agree. Yet they soon realise they’ve taken on more than they bargained for. The girl, Anna, reveals she’s on the run from people who are trying to poison her. Meanwhile, on the news, the Americans and Russians are arguing over missiles in Cuba.

As the threat of war grows, Anna’s behaviour becomes more mysterious. And when Stevie unearths a dark family secret, she wonders if Anna has come to World’s End Close on purpose, with a special message just for her…

Friendship, family and fear for the future are woven together to create a gripping story. Tension grows steadily as we adventure with Stevie and Ray through the week that was the Cuban Missile Crisis. A week where the world was on the brink of a war that no one could win.

Emma brings the world as it was in Britain in 1962 to life – a world of Mods and Rockers, new household appliances and the dreaded cane. With news focused on America, we not only see the Cold War at work, but the American Civil Rights Movement and peaceful protest brought to the fore. And that is just the backdrop to their adventure!

Huge thanks to everyone at Coventry Schools Library Service for organising another amazing Coventry Inspiration Book Awards this year. We have loved reading, talking and voting

Happy reading!

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards: The Fifth Eviction

It’s the final eviction from the competition this week, and sadly we say goodbye to three amazing books.

What’s the Story? (Reception to Year 2) – The Dragon Painter by Lesley Sims, illustrated by BlueBean

A charming retelling of a traditional Chinese story makes the perfect addition to the ever growing series.

Chang is the best painter in all of China, so it’s Chang the Emperor sends for when his new temple needs painting. But why is Chang painting dragons without any eyes? Is it true, as he claims, that if you add eyes, painted dragons come to life? This delightful retelling has sweet, simple text and gorgeous illustrations, with plenty for children to spot as Chang paints his surprising dragons.

If this was your favourite story, try Luna and the Sky Dragon by Bethan Woollvin, an inspiring story perfect for little stargazers.


Luna loves the sky and finding out about all the wonders she can see above her. But the villagers can’t stop worrying about the mythical Sky Dragon – a fearsome creature who is said to dwell in the sky. Can Luna share her love of the sky and show the villagers that the Sky Dragon is nothing to be afraid of?

Featuring real constellations as well as facts about the milky way, eclipses, comets and other astronomical delights, this enteratins and educates in equal measure.

Telling Tales (Year 3 and 4) – Batpig: When Pigs Fly by Rob Harnell

BATPIG follows the amazing, porktastic adventures of Gary Yorkshire – an entirely normal piglet whose world is turned upside down when he’s bitten by his friend, Brooklyn the bat, and develops the power of flight! And what could Gary do with this newfound talent other than become a superhero?


Alternating between Batpig’s origin story and a furious and hilarious battle with his nemesis, Repto-Man, this is a brilliantly funny and skilfully rendered commercial young graphic novel series, with each book containing two separate stories.

If you loved Batpig, make sure you look out for the other books in the series, the latest of which is Go Pig Or Go Home, featuring magical sharks – and summer camp!

First there’s the sudden appearance of Sharkraham Lincoln (half shark! half president!), who sets off a major test cheating scandal. And then, at the worryingly named Camp Whomp-a-Pig, Gary’s hoping to finally get a break from superhero-ing, but a grumpy lake monster isn’t letting this sleeping pig lie. Will Batpig ever catch a break to just relax and enjoy a tasty sandwich, and not have to save the world?

Hooked On Books (Year 5 and 6) – Canaligator by Giovanni Eposito, illustrated by Purri Pankras

Canalligator is a graphic novel set in the canals of Birmingham and tells the rhyming tale of Casey, an unlikely reptile hero, and his friendship with four young people.

The combination of verse and graphic is quite unique and a QR code at the start of each chapter takes you to the author’s YouTube channel where the reader can view a short film about each chapter.

If Canalligator was your favourite, try Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream, which is not your average monster story.

Tucked away in a government facility nicknamed the Playroom, six not-quite-human kids learn to control their strange and unpredictable abilities. Life is good—or safe, at least—hidden from the prying eyes of a judgmental world. That is, until a security breach forces them out of their home and into the path of the Collector, a mysterious being with leech-like powers.

Can the group band together to thwart the Collector’s devious plan, or will they wind up the newest addition to his collection?

You now have one more week to vote for your winner. Happy reading and don’t forget to vote for your favourite!

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards: The Fourth Eviction

Another week, sees another three cracking books leave the competition. Did your favourite survive the eviction?

What’s the Story? (Reception to Year 2) – Stop! That’s Not My Story by Smriti Halls and Erika Meza

A joyful, empowering call to be the hero of your OWN story!

A girl opens up a book looking for the story that’s perfect for HER and tumbles inside. But Goldilocks is not her story, and nor is Jack and the Beanstalk or Little Red Riding Hood… There’s only one thing for it: she’s going to have to write her own story – and this time, SHE will be the hero.

A celebration of the stories we ALL love and the stories we are yet to write.

If this was your favourite book, try Once Upon A Fairytale by Natalia O’Hara and Lauren O’Hara, a story where the reader gets to decide on the adventure – the possibilities are endless.

Did you ever wish to feast with fairies, live in a tree, or ride a unicorn across the sun-lit sky? Here, in this magical world, you can. You can choose to be a clever princess, or a curious gingerbread man, or perhaps a gentle knight. Maybe you’ll live in a tree, or a tower on a hill. You can eat fresh-buttered sunbeams with fairies, or newt pie and pigtail pudding with ogres. Everywhere you look, you will find a new adventure. Just pick the one you like best.

A captivating book where the child chooses the story they want to tell – empowering children to become storytellers and weave their very own fairytale.

Telling Tales (Year 3 and 4) – Sheep School by Ross Montgomery

A thwarted thespian must use his talents to save his flock from a woolly situation in this hilarious gem from bestselling children’s author Ross Montgomery.

William the lamb just can’t stand still. His feet are always tapping, ready to dance, and he loves nothing more than bursting into song. But his talents aren’t always appreciated at Sheep School. Cast out of the flock, he wanders miserably away only to witness the rest of the sheep being captured by the Big Bad Wolf.

Can William find a way to put his artistic skills to use to save the day?

If you loved Sheep School, try The Ghost Cat Who Saved My Life by Pamela Butchart

The flat upstairs from Sav is empty, so who or what is making the strange yowling noises she can hear at night? Could it be a ghost cat?!

Sav and her best friend Liam decide to investigate, but their ghost hunt takes a very strange turn when Liam gets stuck in the stinky bin room of the flat and it’s a new feline friend who helps to get him out.

Nothing is quite as it seems in this brilliant new addition to the Little Gems list.

Hooked On Books (Year 5 and 6) – The Light Thieves by Helena Duggan

Clever, quirky and hugely imaginative, discover the eagerly anticipated new eco-adventure series from the bestselling author of A Place Called Perfect.

Who would you trust to save the world…a boy or a billionaire?

The earth has shifted on its axis and a mysterious dark mark has appeared on the sun – the whole world is in peril! But billionaire tech genius Howard Hansom has a plan…

When Grian’s sister goes missing he’s convinced she has run off to Hansom’s new city to help save the world. But when Grian and his two friends Jeffrey and Shelli track her there they find that nothing is quite as it seems.

Why is everything so secret? Where is the mysterious Area 13? What does Howard Hansom want with all the people he has enticed to live in his city? The days are getting darker but what’s really happening to the sun?

It this was your favourite book, make sure you read second book, Search For The Black Mirror to find out what happens next!

The energy from the sun is being stolen. It’s a catastrophe for the planet and every living thing on it! Friends Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli are desperately trying to work out how it’s happening. They know tech genius Howard Hansom is behind the theft and they’re determined to stop him. But they can’t use any of Hansom’s smart technology in their quest as it will track them wherever they go. The three young heroes need to find a strange black mirror to help them save the sun, and time is running out…

After this week, there is just one more vote off to go, so keep voting to make sure your favourite book makes it into the final three. Happy reading!

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards: The Third Eviction

Another week, and another set of brilliant books leave the competition. Has your favourite been evicted this week?

What’s the Story? (Reception to Year 2) – Speak Up! by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola

Join the brilliantly passionate and instantly loveable Rocket as she organises a peaceful protest to save her local library!

Bookworm Rocket loves to collect new books on her weekly visit to the library, and to read all about inspirational figures like Rosa Parks. She is heartbroken when she discovers the library will be closing down! Can she use what she’s learnt from Rosa and speak up to save the day?

This empowering, heartwarming picture book is a love letter to libraries and the power of reading. And it shows the incredible power we ALL have when we find our voice and speak up about the things that matter.

Read more Rocket stories from award winning duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola – Look Up! andClean Up!

Telling Tales (Year 3 and 4) – Adventuremice: Otter Chaos by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

The first book in a delightful new series full of friendship and adventure, from adored, award-winning author/illustrator duo Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.

Meet Pedro. He’s tiny, but while looking for a BIG adventure he is rescued by the ADVENTUREMICE – a brave, determined team who keep all the Mouse Islands safe from harm.

Pedro’s dream is to show he’s heroic enough to join their ranks. And he soon gets the chance to prove himself, when a big scary otter starts causing trouble in the waters nearby…

If this was your favourite, you’ll be delighted to know there are two more books in the series out already!

Hooked On Books (Year 5 and 6) – The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell

The Song Walker is an extraordinary new story of friendship, discovery and courage.

“There are three questions that I need to find the answers to:

Where am I? What am I doing here? And… Who am I?”

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She’s wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she’s carrying a strange, heavy case.

She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets…

If you love The Song Walker as much as I do, try Zillah’s other books, like the award winning The Shark Caller. Dive beneath the waves with this spell-binding adventure of friendship, forgiveness and bravery, set on the shores of Papua New Guinea, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Eva Ibbotson.

“I want to be able to call the sharks. Teach me the magic and show me the ways.”

Blue Wing is desperate to become a shark caller, but instead she must befriend infuriating newcomer Maple, who arrives unexpectedly on Blue Wing’s island.

At first, the girls are too angry to share their secrets and become friends. But when the tide breathes the promise of treasure, they must journey together to the bottom of the ocean to brave the deadliest shark of them all…

Happy reading!

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards: The Second Eviction

Another week sees three more fabulous books leave the competition. Has your favourite survived the second round of evictions?

What’s the Story? (Reception to Year 2) – Dodos Are Not Extinct by Paddy Donnelly

Dodos are extinct, right? WRONG!
They’re not! They’re just in disguise, and they’re not the only ones. This book reveals the secrets of the woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed tigers and even dinosaurs! These famous creatures are in disguise everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled! You never know who might be right under your nose …

From author-illustrator Paddy Donnelly comes a hilarious story that will keep kids giggling and guessing on every page.

 

If this was your favourite book, try Dogs In Disguise by Peter Bentley, a joyful peek into the crazy antics of all sorts of dogs in disguise! Dressing up in clothing they find at home, these adventurous pooches blend into the crowd at all the places dogs aren’t allowed, like the store, the cinema and the swimming pool! But not all of their disguises go quite to plan, with hilarious results…

From schnauzers in trousers to cosmonaut cockapoos, this jaunty rhyming text from hugely popular, award-winning author, Peter Bently, with brilliantly witty illustrations from John Bond, creator of the Mini Rabbit books, will have children howling with laughter!

Telling Tales (Year 3 and 4) – The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice by Rachel Chivers Khoo

Wanted! A wishkeeper’s apprentice.

When Felix makes a very special wish, he doesn’t expect to be offered a job as an apprentice to wishkeeper Rupus Beewinkle. Now Felix must save the town’s wishes from the wishsnatcher, who wants to destroy hopes and dreams everywhere. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Rachel Sanson accompany this magical story.

If this was your favourite, look out for Rachel’s new book, The Magician Next Door, which publishes on 7th March. Late one night a flying house crash-lands in ten-year-old Callie’s garden. It is the home of magician Winnifred and all of her magical artefacts. Winnifred asks for Callie’s help finding her lost Wanderdust – until she realizes it is Callie’s sadness that is causing her malfunctioning magic.

With Winnifred’s most precious magical possessions at risk from malicious pixies and dangerous giants, can Callie and her friend Sam find the Wanderdust in time to save the magician?

Hooked On Books (Year 5 and 6) – The Stories Grandma Forgot by Nadine Aisha Jassat

“Grandma Farida has Alzheimer’s – but I’m going to help her remember a huge secret…”

Twelve-year-old Nyla’s dad died when she was four, or that’s what she’s been told. So when Grandma Farida insists she saw him in the local supermarket, Nyla wonders if Grandma is simply “time travelling” again – the phrase she uses when Grandma forgets.

But Grandma is Nyla’s best friend and when she asks Nyla to find her dad and bring him home, Nyla decides to make a brand new promise to her Grandma: to find him. As Nyla turns detective and sets out on a journey through her family’s past to try and find the truth, she also hopes that uncovering important stories will help her understand who she is, and where she fits in the world…

If you loved this emotional tale told in vers, try The Way Of Dog by Zana Fraillon.

Be strong. Be fierce. Life is more than a concrete floor.

Scruffity is born into a harsh, grey world. What he yearns for most is Family. But no one wants him. Just as his chances of adoption grow thin, Scruffity is set free by a boy as unwanted as he is. He learns how to run, to dig, to howl and, biggest of all, to love. But then tragedy strikes… How does a dog find his way home when he never had one to begin with?

If you don’t want your favourite book to be evicted next week, make sure you keep voting!

Happy reading!

Coventry Inspiration Book Awards: The first eviction

We’ve read, we’ve discussed, and we’ve voted, and now the weekly vote offs have started.

The first books to leave the competition are:

What’s the Story? (Reception to Year 2) – Anansi And The Golden Pot by Taiye Selas

“Allow me to introduce myself.”
But he needed no introduction. “Anansi the spider!” said Anansi the boy. “The tales were true!”
“Traditional tales are always true,” the spider answered, laughing. “Nothing lasts so long as truth, nor travels quite so far.”

Kweku has grown up hearing stories about the mischievous spider Anansi. He is given the nickname Anansi by his father because of his similarly cheeky ways. On a holiday to visit his beloved Grandma in Ghana, Anansi the spider and Anansi the boy meet, and discover a magical pot that can be filled with whatever they want. Anansi fills it again and again with his favourite red-red stew, and eats so much that he feels sick. Will he learn to share this wonderful gift?

This charming retelling of a West African story teaches readers about the dangers of greed, and the importance of being kind. Tinuke Fagborun’s colourful illustrations bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life. When you’ve finished sharing the story, you can also find out more about the origins of Anansi folktales. This beautiful storybook is one that children will treasure forever.

If this was your favourite, look out for other Anansi stories of which there are many to enjoy regardless how old you are.

Telling Tales (Year 3 and 4) – Granny Came Here On The Empire Windrush by Patrice Lawrence

This heart-warming and heartfelt debut picture book from multi-award-winning author, Patrice Lawrence, will help ensure that the struggles and achievements of the Windrush generation are never forgotten.

One day, Ava is asked to dress as an inspirational figure for assembly at school, but who should she choose? Granny suggests famous familiar figures such as Winifred Atwell, Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks, and tells Ava all about their fascinating histories, but Ava’s classmates have got there first – and she must choose someone else. But who?

And then Ava finds a mysterious old suitcase – Granny’s “grip” – and Granny begins to share her own history, and how she came to England on the Empire Windrush many years ago. She tells her story through the precious items that accompanied her on the original voyage, each one evoking a memory of home, and as Ava listens to how Granny built a life for herself in England, determined to stay against the odds and despite overwhelming homesickness, she realises that there is a hero very close to home that she wants to celebrate more than anyone – her very own brave and beloved granny.

If you’d like to find out more about the Windrush Generation, try The Place for Me: Stories About the Windrush Generation, with 12 moving tales of sacrifice and bravery, inspired by first-hand accounts,

Hooked On Books (Year 5 and 6) – Kingdom Over The Sea by Zohra Nabi

My own Yara, if you are reading this, then something terrible has happened, and you are on your own. To return to the city of Zehaira, you must read out the words on the back of this letter . . . Good luck, my brave girl.

When Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map – Zehaira, a world of sorcerers, alchemists and simmering magic. But Zehaira is not the land it used to be. The practice of magic has been outlawed, the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a sinister scheme – and the answers Yara is searching for seem to be out of reach.
Yara must summon all of her courage to discover the truth about her mother’s past and her own identity, and to find her place in this magical new world.

If this was your favourite, look out for the second book in the series, The City Beyond The Stars, which will be published in April.

If you don’t want your favourite book to be evicted next week, make sure you keep voting!

Happy reading!

When is a book not a book?

When it’s an onion…

The Onion’s Great Escape by Sara Fanelli asks young readers to help the onion break free by answering thought-provoking questions and completing the activities within, finally pressing a three-dimensional character right out of the pages.

Asking big questions about themselves and the world around them, The ONion’s great escape helps children understand big ideas and emotions, and in turn, helps them to help others, including the onion to face their fears and live their best lives.

When it’s a quiz…

Name That Thing by Dr Gareth Moore, illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke stretches your brain power with 20 fact-packed picture quizzes from expert puzzle master Dr Gareth Moore. Can you name a bird from its feather? How about a meal from its ingredients? What about a scientist from their discovery?

Covering themes, from nature, science and technology to sport, History and Geography, keep everyone guessing with hours of family fun. Part quiz book, part encyclopedia, with gorgeous hand-lettering and traditional artwork, this book is the ultimate gift book that can be enjoyed by the whole family and the large format makes it the perfect quiz book for curious children and their families to gather around.

When it’s a game…

Fighting Fantasy: Crystal Of Storms by Rhiamma Prachett is an astonishingly imaginative, edge-of-your-seat adventure – part story, part game! Grab your dice and a pencil, because you, the hero of this story, are a member of the Sky Watch keeping the floating archipelago of Pangaria safe.

When the Nimbus isle suddenly crashes out of the sky into the Ocean of Tempests below, you must explore the remaining islands, and battle both storms and sea beasts in your mission to raise Nimbus from the deep. You will be hunted by demonic harpies, rabid rats and even a Great White Squark and you’ll need every ounce of courage and quick wits to survive.

When it’s a robot…

Build A Robot by Steve Parker, illustrated by Owen Davey is this super-charged book will give you a unique, interactive guide to the world of robots. Combining a fact-filled book (did you know there are robot explorers and even robot doctors?) with a slide-out box containing three motors and pre-cut card pieces, you will become an expert robot-inventor in no time!

Once you have learned about the different robot that help in our world in a whole host of different ways, you can get stuck into building your own. Can you figure out how they work once you’ve built them all?

Happy reading, quizzing, gaming and building!