Louisiana's Way Home has sat on my shelf waiting to be reviewed and I cannot do it; there is just too much to capture. It is simply the most raw and eLouisiana's Way Home has sat on my shelf waiting to be reviewed and I cannot do it; there is just too much to capture. It is simply the most raw and emotionally complex story and told with a voice that speaks straight to the heart. Perfect.
A mistaken turn on the Milky Way leads a UFO to encounter a strange planet� planet Earth! Here, the Earth is explored in all of its beauty, with KitamA mistaken turn on the Milky Way leads a UFO to encounter a strange planet� planet Earth! Here, the Earth is explored in all of its beauty, with Kitamura’s wide, rolling illustrated landscapes unveiling the sublimity and immensity of our world. I really enjoyed the sense of otherness built in the depiction of the planet. Drawing back to those classic deep, dark and almost inky colours that are often associated with space. An interesting parallel is drawn between these colours, so strongly connected to the uncertainty and strangeness that humans attribute to other planets/universes, and the atmosphere generated when the alien encounters the Earth. After encountering a child, the alien strikes up a refreshing friendship and each shows the other around their home. It would be interesting to discuss how they each approach someone different, is welcoming rather than being afraid. Perhaps there is an important lesson to be learned with regards to our outlook upon and treatment of those that are new to us. I loved seeing the visit being told from the perspective of the alien, and alternative to a human’s reaction to life landing on the planet. In telling the story through the eyes of the alien, without showing what form it takes, it leaves the reader open to making their mind up about just who was driving the UFO. Lovely to maintain the sense of mystery and wonder around aliens whilst still opening a window into what they could be thinking. ...more
A story brimming with the limitlessness of the imagination during childhood. When a little boy accidentally bounces his ball into a hole in the gardenA story brimming with the limitlessness of the imagination during childhood. When a little boy accidentally bounces his ball into a hole in the garden, he unearths a world of possibilities for what could be beneath the surface. From dragons to trolls, Cobb truly captures a sense of reality being without boundaries and a child’s gentle determination to retain their thinking, regardless of ‘sensible� adults dampening the fun. There is a lovely touch of humour in the irony of the little boy quietly anticipating the reveal of the something, when it just might pop up when he is unaware. I can see this book fitting in beautifully in Early Years or KS1, the illustrations are such fun, and, coupled with the open ending provides a super stimulus for writing. Just the concept of something unknown going about life beneath the ground offers boundless opportunities for talk. On another note, Cobb’s use of first person narrative is an excellent starting point for developing awareness of the influences of perspective. Retelling the story from the point of view of the something could present an exciting twist and would be perfect for some drama performances....more
An excellently paced story that begins when two children residing at opposite ends of social class strike up a chance connection. Told entirely througAn excellently paced story that begins when two children residing at opposite ends of social class strike up a chance connection. Told entirely through letters, Townson’s use of voice and tone is excellent, implicitly revealing the differences between the upbringings of the two characters, and directly placing the reader into their thought patterns. This is a superb narrative for enhancing children’s prediction skills, as they begin to make subtle links between separate lives of the main characters, as the plot gradually unravels and builds up to the climax....more
House Held up By Trees tells the story of man’s battle against nature. A father works tirelessly and obsessively, preening his lawn to a barren ‘perfeHouse Held up By Trees tells the story of man’s battle against nature. A father works tirelessly and obsessively, preening his lawn to a barren ‘perfection�. His rejection of the natural world is tangible, and all the while his children embrace the beauty and creative opportunities that it has to offer. There is an interesting parallel drawn between the father’s outlook upon nature and the implicit deterioration of his relationship with his children. I would be intrigued to hear children’s thoughts on the link with loss. For me, Kooser’s narrative spoke quietly as Klassen’s illustrations progressively began to roar with change and in retaliation of the resistance of all things natural. There are some interesting things being done with perspective here in representing the rise of nature, possibly suggesting that the protagonist may not be whom it first appeared. Whilst I enjoyed Kooser’s words, the power of Klassen’s perspective possibly spoke louder for me, and it could have been intriguing to remove the words and see the impact with children- particularly in the second part of the story. ...more
A witty and moving in all of the right places, 'The Tale of Despereaux' follows the three separate stories of three characters who have not had the beA witty and moving in all of the right places, 'The Tale of Despereaux' follows the three separate stories of three characters who have not had the best chances in life, whose paths cross in an unforgettable scenario. I really enjoyed the three main characters and watching their development. These are three underdogs, who have a spark that pulls them forward. Interesting concepts of betrayal, courage and forgiveness, the relationship between these three acts and how they spring from each other. Of equal interest was the concept of light and dark, the literal light and darkness within the dungeon and upstairs, and the light and darkness held within characters. The reader learns that there can be a level in between, no one is full good or bad. I LOVED this story, and would be happy to use to use it at any point in key stage two- children will love hearing the interrupting narrator who guides and interacts with the reader....more
I have never encountered a story that twists the perspective to such an extreme as this one. The reader follows a stream of individual stories all conI have never encountered a story that twists the perspective to such an extreme as this one. The reader follows a stream of individual stories all connected in small and obscure ways. It is safe to say that Banyai's work is a little avant-guard, with each individual story being distorted in directions that you would not have though imaginable. Points of view are turned upside down and inside out. I wonder whether there is an underlying statement about how narrow and black and white our outlook really is, that people look but do not really see. It is quite a challenging books to access and I felt confused and disorientated to begin with. However, your understanding is dependent upon the level of effort and concentration that you put into reading. It is important to feel slightly confused as it allows you to flip back pages and look at the other side of the story. I think that this element of challenge is a positive- it prevents the audience being passive and only allows for a deeper reading as you revisit previous parts....more
A story that outlines the journey of a little boy and his grandmother, as they take the bus back home from the centre of the city. Whilst following thA story that outlines the journey of a little boy and his grandmother, as they take the bus back home from the centre of the city. Whilst following the little boy's questions along the journey, the reader is made highly aware of the lack of privilege that he has in comparison to other children and their families, in ways that some may take as a given. The deepest message that I take from this is the fact that despite being less advantaged compared to some members of the city, the grandmother and her son completely take this in their stride. In living in a 'dirty' area, they are able to truly see and appreciate the real beauty in other areas. Rather than viewing their adversity as a burden, it frees them and is utilized to make a change. This wider understanding of the world makes them wealthy in ways that those without diverse frames of mind cannot ever gain. In turn, the grandmother and the grandson see that there will always be somebody who experiences more difficulties, and they have a responsibility to help them. A fantastic story to read to your class and make them more aware of the advantages that they have in life....more
Such a scary read! Some points were so disturbing and frightening that I actually had to put the book down and have a break from it. I could never havSuch a scary read! Some points were so disturbing and frightening that I actually had to put the book down and have a break from it. I could never have predicted the ending. Smy has a really inventive way of telling a story, quite different to what I have read before. The layers of black pages in between narratives creates an almost film like effect, and builds an ever building sense of sinister tension. So many lessons are to be learned from Ella and Mary, both children who have been let down by the system and show the effect of a lack of care. ...more
Social class is quite a complicated topic to broach with children, and is not something that I have particularly encountered when reading children's lSocial class is quite a complicated topic to broach with children, and is not something that I have particularly encountered when reading children's literature. In using four different characters to tell the story, Browne encapsulates how someone's social standing/class can blur their point of view and overwhelm their experience. Interestingly, social class does not matter to the two characters that are children. This could lead to debate about where social class has come from, whether it actually exists, and why it is here during a 'Philosophy for Children' lesson. This is an excellent stimulus for teaching children about narrative voice and using character to alter the events of a story....more
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